Futures betting on the big race in WA on New Year’s Day, the Perth Cup 2014 is now open with Rohan heading the early markets for the classic.

Vaughn Sigley’s Blackfriars five-year-old stamped their claims on a win in the $400,000 Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) at Ascot on January 1 after a brave performance in the $500,000 Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) on December 7.

First two over the line in the Kingston Town, Ihtsahymn and Luckygray, face off back at the track this Saturday in the $225,000 Group 2 C.B. Cox Stakes (2100m).

Rohan also backs up in the Cox Stakes getting his chance to turn the tables on three-year-old WA Guineas champ Ihtsahymn who finished three quarters of a length ahead of him in the Kingston Town.

On Saturday Rohan, winner of the 2012 WATC Derby over the mile and a half, jumps from barrier nine with Glenn Smith retaining the ride with the duo expected to improve as they get up over more distance.

With neither Ihtsahymn or Luckgray continuing onto the Perth Cup however, Rohan looks the one to beat in the mile and a half feature.

They pay $4.60 in the pre-field Perth Cup odds and are one of three single figure fancies in the markets.

Second pick at $8 is the Adam Durant-trained O’Reilly four-year-old Crumpet O’Reilly.

The lightly raced galloper has had just eight starts to date but they’ve won four of those on the trot leading up to the Perth Cup by a collective nine lengths.

While they’re yet to race over further than a mile, the ease of which they’ve been winning the middle distance gallops has the bookies tipping them to handle to step up in distance.

Third favourite at $9.50 is then Black Tycoon, Justin Warwick’s rising nine-year-old the veteran of the Perth Cup 2014.

Winner of the Listed Tattersall’s Cup (2100m) two back the son of Blackfriars was seventh in the Kingston Town last start, beaten three lengths, finding the drop back to 1800m a little sharp.

It’s a wide open Perth Cup market from there with 10 other hopes all under $20 in the markets.

Among the better fancied are the likes of this year’s runner-up Mr Moet ($10) who is another CB Cox Stakes hope, the Grant Williams-trained Carbine Club of WA Stakes winning mare Elite Belle ($13), Pop Culture ($13) who ran fourth in last summer’s Perth Cup and Knightlike ($14) coming off a win in the Listed GA Towton Cup (2200m).

Check out the top 21 chances in the current Perth Cup 2014 betting markets, prices that are set for a shake-up following the Ascot race results this weekend.

Whether it’s the Group 2 lead-up this Saturday, or the Perth Cup in the New Year, make sure the bets you place on the summer features this season are online at Ladbrokes.com.au where you’ll get the best prices guaranteed!

2014 Perth Cup Odds

Ascot Racecourse – 01/01/2014

*Odds quoted are Fixed Win, All-In, Pre-Field, Top 21 only, subject to change @ Ladbrokes.com.au