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The 2026 Perth Cup Preview & Selections
West Australian Racing
Chris
5,735 posts
Race 1: Westspeed Platinum Handicap (1200m)
With Leniency scratched, the map opens up significantly. Helluva Goddess looks the standout here. She has a win rate of 50% from 6 starts and is a genuine "fifty-percenter." She loves the Ascot 1200m and was superb winning here last start. Desert Dancing is the main danger; he’s been the bridesmaid in his last two starts at this track and is incredibly consistent (placed in 50% of career starts). He gets a 1.5kg weight advantage over my top pick, but class should prevail.
Recommended Bet: High (2 Units) - Helluva Goddess ($3.60)
| Selection | Danger | Comment |
| Helluva Goddess | Desert Dancing | Top pick has the winning habit; Danger is consistent but finding it hard to break through. |
Framed Market (110%): Helluva Goddess $3.00, Desert Dancing $4.00, Define Beautiful $5.50, On Patrol $8.50, Others $15+
Race 2: Ascend Trophies Handicap (1000m)
The stats here are frankly offensive. Magnique has placed in 10 of her 13 career starts (77% place rate). That is the definition of a Scott-era bank builder. She was unlucky not to win last start after flying home from a hopeless position. Niccimota is the danger, especially with Chanel Cooper’s 2kg claim bringing her down to a very manageable 56kg.
Recommended Bet: Best Bet (3 Units) - Magnique ($4.40)
| Selection | Danger | Comment |
| Magnique | Niccimota | Magnique's 77% place rate is elite; Niccimota is well-weighted with the claim. |
Framed Market (110%): Magnique $3.50, Niccimota $4.00, Amaroo Star $5.00, Others $12+
Race 3: Magic Millions Plate (1000m)
Storm Away is the "fitness peak" play here. Third-up and coming off back-to-back wins, he’s found his groove. He overhauled his rivals with ease last start at this track/distance. Like Clockwork is the X-factor; she’s two-from-two and hasn't put a foot wrong, but this is a step up in grade. Our Naughty Secret is one for the multiples, as she’s been knocking on the door in Albany.
Recommended Bet: High (2 Units) - Storm Away ($2.15)
| Selection | Danger | Comment |
| Storm Away | Like Clockwork | Storm Away is at a fitness peak; Like Clockwork is unbeaten but untested at this level. |
Framed Market (110%): Storm Away $2.00, Like Clockwork $4.50, Our Naughty Secret $9.00, Others $15+
Race 4: MCA Polytrack Handicap (1000m)
This is a high-quality sprint. Immortal Bliss returns to his favorite hunting ground. He has a 64% place rate and dominated a RON SAYERS last start. He carries 58kg but is a class above most of these. Black Ora is the danger, boasting a 78% place rate and a recent win at this track. However, Immortal Bliss has the superior peak ratings.
Recommended Bet: High (2 Units) - Immortal Bliss ($2.60)
| Selection | Danger | Comment |
| Immortal Bliss | Black Ora | Immortal Bliss is a class drop play; Black Ora is the inform "fifty-percenter." |
Framed Market (110%): Immortal Bliss $2.30, Black Ora $4.00, Keep Ita Mystery $6.00, Others $10+
Race 5: Tabtouch Bet Loop Handicap (1200m)
Put down your drink and pay attention. Playin'it Sweet has 8 starts for 5 wins and 3 thirds. That is a 100% place rate. In the world of handicapping, that’s what we call a "lock." She’s dropping back from Listed company and looks weighted to win. Prospector's Pick is the only other horse I’d consider if you’re looking for a saver, as he was eye-catching last start.
Recommended Bet: Best Bet (3 Units) - Playin'it Sweet ($2.25)
| Selection | Danger | Comment |
| Playin'it Sweet | Prospector's Pick | Playin'it Sweet is the day's statistical standout; Prospector's Pick is the closer. |
Framed Market (110%): Playin'it Sweet $1.80, Prospector's Pick $5.00, Earthstorm $9.00, Others $20+
Race 6: Liquor Barons Handicap (1600m)
Territory Man looks the logical choice here. With only 4 starts under his belt, he’s already shown he belongs in this grade, winning well over 1400m last start. The step up to 1600m should suit his pedigree. Belta Of A Song is the value danger; she’s a gritty mare who reeled in the leaders last start at Bunbury and has a solid 55% place rate.
Recommended Bet: Medium (1.5 Units) - Territory Man ($2.50)
| Selection | Danger | Comment |
| Territory Man | Belta Of A Song | Lightly raced and progressive; Belta Of A Song is the tough veteran danger. |
Framed Market (110%): Territory Man $2.40, Belta Of A Song $6.00, My Harv $7.50, Others $12+
SLIPPERGOLDEN likes this post.
Comments
Race 7: Mumm Champagne Handicap (1600m)
Our Paladin Al is another statistical monster. Placed in 7 of his 8 starts (87%), he surged to win effortlessly last start. He is the quintessential peak-performance runner. Magna's Choice is the danger; he’s proven at this track and distance and was very strong winning at 1500m last time out. Arcadia Park is the class runner returning, so keep an eye on the market.
Recommended Bet: High (2 Units) - Our Paladin Al ($2.75)
Framed Market (110%): Our Paladin Al $2.50, Magna's Choice $4.50, Arcadia Park $9.00, Others $15+
Race 8: Mrs Mac's - La Trice Classic (1800m)
A cracking Group 3 for the mares. Luvnwar has been knocking on the door in black-type company and her last-start third in the Starstruck was full of merit. She’s at her fitness peak now. Machine Gun Gracie is the class horse (G2 winner) but might be looking for further than 1800m second-up. She has a huge 85% place rate, so she’s unlikely to be far away.
Recommended Bet: Medium (1.5 Units) - Luvnwar ($3.20)
Bomb: Memory Parade ($31.00) - Has talent, just needs to jump with them.
Framed Market (110%): Luvnwar $3.00, Machine Gun Gracie $4.00, Admiration Express $6.00, Others $15+
Race 9: Swan Draught - Summer Scorcher (1000m)
With Devine Belief scratched, this becomes a two-horse war. Madhi Girl is the one. She has a 50% win rate and was dominant in her trials leading into this. She’s won first-up previously and Pike knows her better than his own reflection. Hanchi is the main threat; he’s a consistent closer who just needs a split at the right time.
Recommended Bet: High (2 Units) - Madhi Girl ($2.40)
Framed Market (110%): Madhi Girl $2.20, Hanchi $5.00, Jaz Session $7.00, Others $12+
Race 10: Tabtouch - Perth Cup (2400m)
The big one. Apulia brings high-class Victorian form to the West. His win in the G2 Van Heemst was the perfect dress rehearsal. He is the clear class runner of the field. Sentimental Hero is the local hope with a 67% place rate; he won the Kalgoorlie Cup and will stay all day. Filthy Habits is the value danger if you’re looking for something at a price.
Recommended Bet: Best Bet (3 Units) - Apulia ($1.90)
Framed Market (110%): Apulia $1.80, Sentimental Hero $8.00, Buckets Ridge $10.00, Others $15+
Race 11: Schweppes Handicap (1400m)
We finish with a wide-open 1400m. Dug Another Hole is our value play of the day. He has placed in 15 of 20 career starts (75%) but is currently quoted at $9.50. That is an enormous overlay. He’s well-weighted and loves a dogfight. Awesome Boy is the obvious favorite, coming off three consecutive seconds, but he’s starting to find winning a bit like a New Year's resolution—hard to keep.
Recommended Bet: Bet (1 Unit) - Dug Another Hole ($9.50)
Bomb: Camera Action ($18.00) - Has won second-up previously.
Framed Market (110%): Awesome Boy $3.50, Dug Another Hole $6.00, Cashel Palace $7.50, Others $12+
Summary of Recommended Bets
Rodent likes this post.
From memory Bianco Lady had finished on the heels of the place getters in the previous Melbourne Cup and won the Perth Cup comfortably only about 9 or 10 ran in the race in that 83 edition.
Best Perth Cup winner ever saw without doubt 1979 Meliador - freak!! Put previous Melbourne Cup winner Arwon to the sword a few times. Think was something like 3 - 0 Meliador, and Arwon could stay!
Bianco Lady beat Swift Knight and Port Carling by about 8 lengths. She was a class above them.
savethegame likes this post.
Manchild likes this post.
All I remember is this - going around the first time gees I’ve never seen a horse so frazzled in a two mile race and going that fast - it’s gone will run last - come around the second time twice as frazzled and running five times faster!
There’s always a runner up in these things and the Alderson’s had a case. He trained some very good stayers including Sea Legend third in a Melbourne Cup.
Ridersonthestorm33 likes this post.
Be interesting today to see Filthy Habits possibly lead them a merry dance - I can’t have it winning but it’s a fighter on his day.
Port Carling was a reasonable NSW stayer - Tommy Smith ?
savethegame likes this post.
savethegame likes this post.
Ridersonthestorm33, Rodent, Ngawyni, sonny likes this post.
Now now Slip no need to blow your own trumpet :p I was just getting here to say great tip.
Just catching ip with replays, shame D.Mac rambled on about a minute after the line on it with no idea who ran where in placings.I listen to a lot of races by aduio, he is a serial recidivist
oldhendo, Chris likes this post.
Also take a bow first four players who threw the field in for fourth in the Perth Cup enabling a trifecta dividend which saw the first 3 favourites in order pay $67 jump to $3,777 with the rank outsider Rocking Society at $151 finishing 4th.
Can’t recall seeing a horse drift in a big race like Sentimental Hero blew out to $15 yesterday and soon came back into $11, today back out to 15, then 18, 23, 26 and last looked was $29. It might’ve gone to $41 if the race was delayed the way kept drifting. They were spot on.
Watched the Cup on Racing.Com outstanding those guys that cover the horses in the parade ring.
SLIPPERGOLDEN likes this post.
The best backed horses outside of the favourite today on the each way and place line appeared to be Filthy Habits 2nd and Forever Boy 3rd.
Diamond Scene, Buckets Ridge both quite easy in betting and Sentimental Hero blew out like a gusty breeze on Shoalwater beach on a December afternoon.
All in all with the fluctuations on the Cup was one of those rare results see on a racetrack - was hands down - Punters 1 Bookmakers 0.
sonny likes this post.
Ridersonthestorm33 likes this post.