Twelve stayers have been confirmed in the field for Saturday’s Listed Premier’s Cup (2200m) at Doomben Racecourse; offering punters exceptional value from a betting standpoint and several key opportunities to place a winning wager.
Real Love remains a clear and justifiable $2.90 favourite in 2016 Premier’s Cup betting markets with Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of Honey Toast ($4.80) and the Chris Waller-trained Junoob ($5).
Will Real Love justify favouritism and win the 2016 Premier’s Cup, or will one of her talented rivals post an upset?
1st
Real Love ($2.90)
Former Perth galloper Real Love carries winning form into the 2016 Premier’s Cup, is drawn ideally in barrier 4 and should simply prove too good for her rivals at Doomben this weekend. Capping her west coast tenure with a credible run for third in the Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m), the Desert King mare debuted for trainer Darren Weir with a strong run for third in the Doriemus Handicap (2000m) on January 30th before again finishing third in the Listed Torney Night Cup (2500m) three weeks later. Returning to winning form in the Listed Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) on March 5th, Real Love has since finished third in the Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m), second in the Beck Property Group Plate (2000m) and won the Group 3 JRA Cup (2000m), and has been confirmed to be partnered by regular hoop Brad Rawiller once more this weekend.
2nd
Junoob ($5)
A strong and consistent performer for Waller through recent seasons, Junoob is drawn well in barrier 5 and will be partnered by in-form hoop Blake Shinn in the Premier’s Cup. Capping a smart 2015 campaign with strong performance to win the Listed Ballarat Cup (2200m) and run second in the Group 3 Summer Cup (2000m), Junoob clearly required a run when resuming this time for thirteenth in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Cup (1600m), but responded well when fourth in the JRA Cup second-up a fortnight ago. The Haafhd gelding has posted eleven wins and ten minors through a total of forty-seven starts, and his class is sure to count for a lot this weekend.
3rd
Puccini ($19)
The Darren Weir-trained Puccini has produced a number of good results between lacklustre performances this time and should find a handy position off pace in the Premier’s Cup from barrier 8, particularly with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle. A Group 1 winner having taken out the 2014 edition of the New Zealand Derby (2400m), the Encosta De Lago entire ran third in the Group 3 TAB Rewards Stakes (1400m) on March 5th and while failing to fire in the Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m), responded with a pair of strong performances for fourth in each of the Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) and Listed Mornington Cup (2400m).
Do you agree with our 2016 Premier’s Cup tips? Open an account at Ladbrokes.com.au today and have your say with the best odds available online!