Global Weekly Preview: Aussie action starts in the West

Traditionally, Perth has been the venue for the best racing on New Year’s Day in Australia, and 2018 will prove no exception, with a high class card programmed for its premier track, Ascot.

The G2 Perth Cup is dominated by gelded sons of two stalwarts of the Darley stallion roster in past years. I refer to Trap For Fools (by Poet’s Voice) and Pounamu (by Authorized), who are both in cracking form coming into this 2,400m contest.

Trap For Fools, a four-year-old, has won his last five starts in a row, all at Ascot, gradually working his way through the staying ranks in West Australia, and his upward climb may not have ended yet.

Pounamu, a grey six-year-old, also has excellent credentials, having won three of his last four starts, including the G1 Kingston Town Classic, over 1,800m, and the G2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes, over 2,100m, both at Ascot.

The Perth Cup underwent a renaissance in 1972 when an injection of prizemoney saw it take the mantle of richest race in Australia.

Not only did it offer a huge purse, the race also had the backing of legendary Eastern States trainer T J Smith, who purchased the consistent New Zealand stayer Igloo for an American owner, specifically to win the staying contest.

Unfortunately, Igloo broke down in a training gallop on the eve of that 1972 Perth Cup and did not run. Victory went to local stayer Fait Accompli, who was winning the race for the second time.

Over the years, many strong stayers have made the trip West, and not all have performed to their best mark, failing to contend with the hard track and oppressive heat that can often be the norm in Perth at that time of the year.

From Perth, the Australian focus will switch to Queensland’s Gold Coast in the New Year. The important Magic Millions card will be staged in the cramped confines of the racetrack opposite the sales complex, where hundreds of high-priced lots will go under the hammer.

The action for 2018 is well under way in Australia.