The Japan Racing Association Trophy 2016 is one of three Perth Summer Racing Carnival black-types on the Ascot card on Saturday with the field and barriers for the staying showdown now out.
Peter Hall (pictured on Delicacy) rides Don’tgetcaught in the 2016 JRA Plate at Ascot Racecourse this weekend in Perth. Photo: Jenny Barnes.
Due to run as Ascot Race 7 at 4:40pm (WA time) on the eight-race program, this year’s $100,000 Listed Japan Racing Association Trophy (2200m) has attracted an 11 starter field.
Many of the gallopers in the mix are eyeing a run in the $500,000 Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) back at the track over a mile and a half on New Year’s Eve, December 31.
Heading the JRA Trophy field and weights with 58kg is the Lou Luciani-trained Tonto drawn the rails with Jason Brown to ride.
The five-year-old Onemorenomore gelding is out to atone for his disappointing 11th at the track over 2100m on November 26 behind Respondent in the Listed Tattersall’s Cup when carrying 57kg.
He’ll be tested with two kilos more this weekend, but has winning form at the track and distance so could be an improver with the extra metres of the race.
The best out of the Tattersall’s Cup from a fortnight back in the Japan Racing Association Trophy on Saturday are the runner-up Dark Alert and third placegetter Kia Ora Koutou.
Perth’s premier hoop William Pike sticks aboard Testa Rossa five-year-old Dark Alert who was narrowly beaten last start and on the improve.
His other latest run produced a third to Tonto in the Listed Ascot Gold Cup (1800m) on November 12 and with winning form over a mile and a half, Dark Alert will only continue to improve.
The gelding chases his first win since mid-February but has outstanding Ascot form (11-5-2-2) and is well-weighted in the race.
Stablemate Kia Ora Koutou gets into Saturday’s clash on the 55kg minimum and has Joseph Azzopardi booked for the ride from barrier three.
The Durrant & Miller-trained son of Blackfriars is yet to win at Ascot from seven runs, but the four-year-old’s recent runs suggest he’ll be improved out over more distance.
As a three-year-old Kia Ora Koutou enjoyed a number of good runs including a fourth in the Group 2 WATC Derby (2400m) in mid-April and he was tested in Melbourne during 2015 when third in that year’s Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) behind Tarzino.
Other notable hopes in the mix include Durrant & Miller’s third runner Star Exhibit coming off a win over a mile at the track from two weeks ago and the Colin Webster-trained Tattersall’s Cup fourth-placed Danehill Express five-year-old Properantes.
Check out the full Japan Racing Association Trophy 2016 field, barriers, jockeys and weights below and then head to Ladbrokes.com.au for access to all the weekend’s best racing odds and offers.
2016 JRA Trophy Final Field & Barrier Draw
Ascot Race 7 (4:40pm) – 10/12/2016
| # | Form (Last 10) | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Br. | Wgt. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24143×3610 | TONTO | Lou Luciani | Jason Brown | 1 | 58kg |
| 2 | 95025×0160 | KIROV BOY | Arthur Mortimer | Danny Miller | 8 | 57.5kg |
| 3 | 111×504055 | VENGABUS | Simon A Miller | Peter Knuckey | 10 | 57.5kg |
| 4 | 651111×532 | DARK ALERT | G Durrant & J Miller | William Pike | 4 | 57kg |
| 5 | 845320150N | DON’TGETCAUGHT | Ben Pearce | Peter Hall | 2 | 57kg |
| 6 | 35112×4241 | STAR EXHIBIT | G Durrant & J Miller | Glenn Smith | 5 | 56kg |
| 7 | 83×2497229 | BEDAMIJO | Tara Itzstein | Shaun O’Donnell | 6 | 55.5kg |
| 8 | 7272164×83 | DARK MUSKET | Graeme Ballantyne | Jarrad Noske | 11 | 55kg |
| 9 | 3x5324x553 | KIA ORA KOUTOU | G Durrant & J Miller | Joseph Azzopardi | 3 | 55kg |
| 10 | 8x6253x834 | PROPERANTES | Colin Webster | Troy Turner | 9 | 55kg |
| 11 | 141213×778 | SHINTA MANI | Sharon Miller | Jason Whiting | 7 | 55kg |
