Numerian boosts G2 Perth Cup hopes for Annabel Neasham
Interstate raider Numerian staked his claim for Perth Cup (2400m) bragging rights with a convincing win in the Group 2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes (2100m) at Ascot this afternoon, launching his Perth debut in the best way possible.
The Sydney gelding gave trainer Annabel Neasham some consolation after her star nine-year-old Zaaki was beaten by the barest of margins in a dramatic finish to last Saturday week’s Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m).
Numerian, ridden by Clint Johnston Porter, outclassed his six rivals in the Ted Van Heemst Stakes, storming home powerfully to reel in Marrocchino and win by one length with a further two lengths to Casino Seventeen.
The eight-year-old, sent out at $3.70, settled third in running, trailing frontrunner Marocchino and favourite Zoumon, who went forward and breezed, before Numerian closed fast and reached the lead passing 50m.
Casino Seventeen ran on for a solid Perth Cup trial and will appreciate a weight advantage when he clashes with Numerian in the Perth Cup on January 1.
Zoumon mis-trode at the top of the straight and weakened to fourth with just The Velvet Queen and Startrade behind him.
Porter, who has the option of riding either Numerian or Be Optimistic in the Perth Cup, said he was happy with the tempo that was set by Marocchino and Zoumon.
“They were rolling along and I was quite happy,” Johnston-Porter said.
“I was just worried someone would be clever and try and pocket me.
“It always felt like I was going to run those two down.
“I was pretty confident I was going to win.
“He’s going to be a good ride to have and hopefully I can make up my mind on what I want to do.”
Numerian was back in the winner’s stalls for the first time since taking out his first Group 2 race last year in Brisbane, the Sky Racing Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm last year.
In 2023 Numerian ran two Group 1 seconds in the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington and the Doomben Cup (2000m).
Numerian came to Perth without firing a shot interstate. He finished out of the placings in three starts including a last-start seventh in the Beauford at Newcastle (2300m) on November 18.
Numerian carries the 59kg topweight in the Perth Cup. Casino Seventeen, a member of Team Williams, drops 6kg to 53kg.
Tabtouch has Casino Seventeen currently rated the $3 favourite for the Perth Cup.
Numerian is next at $4.50 with betting sites.
More Racing News
Vein Girl impresses in rich Magic Millions The Debut win
Vein Girl has put herself in contention for next month’s $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a strong win on debut under lights at the Gold Coast’s first night meeting. The Chris and Corey Munce-trained Vein Girl was sent out the $3.50 favourite with betting sites in Friday night’s $250,000...
Pallaton races into 2025 Golden Slipper contention
Pallaton has stamped himself as a two-year-old colt to watch heading into 2025 with an impressive debut win at Randwick. Trained by Michael Freedman and ridden by Tommy Berry, Pallaton raced to a 2-3/4-length victory in Saturday’s Shinzo @ Coolmore Plate (1000m) and firmed to be among the early favourites in Golden Slipper...
Arriving Home set to target the Magic Millions Guineas 2025
Trainer Bjorn Baker would love to get lightly raced filly Arriving Home into the Magic Millions Guineas next month after the three-year-old remained unbeaten with a tough win at Randwick. Stepping up from a midweek city maiden win at Warwick Farm on debut earlier this month into Saturday’s Petaluma Handicap (1300m) – a...
The Kings horse Gilded Water wins at Randwick
Imported stayer Gilded Water has made it back-to-back victories in Australia and has given his owner, His Majesty King Charles III, a winner at Royal Randwick. The King’s racing manager John Warren was on track at Randwick on Saturday as the Ciaron Maher-trained Gilded Water raced to a convincing victory in the...
Goldman digs deep in the Pakenham Cup 2024
One time Melbourne Cup favourite, Goldman has notched up his fourth win in Australia, leading throughout to take the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) under Beau Mertens. Jumping an $8.50 chance, Goldman’s staying prowess was on show as he kicked back to deny Grand Pierro ($19) by a long head, with $3.30 betting site...
Here To Shock gives Lindsay Park quinella in The Supernova
Ben, Will & Jd Hayes had the numbers two and three seed to knock off race-favourite Nadal in Saturday’s $1 million The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham and did just that, with Here To Shock, ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, edging stablemate Arkansaw Kid in a thrilling stable quinella. Here To Shock ($4.60) trailed a strong...
Kevin Daffy happy to wait with Oh Too Good ahead of VOBIS Gold Bullion
Trainer Kevin Daffy says there is still plenty of time to chase the big league with his lightly-raced mare Oh Too Good. A winner of four of her seven starts with three runner-up finishes as well, Oh Too Hard runs in the VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday. Daffy was sounded...
Bedggood chases rich The Supernova prize
Two rising nine-year-olds, both resuming, will give Gavin Bedggood a potential shot at his biggest payday as a trainer. A former jockey, Bedggood has been plying his trade as a trainer since 2017 and during the recent Melbourne Spring Carnival prepared Mornington Glory to land his first Group 1 success. Just Folk and Windstorm, both...
Collett hoping for Dream Brisbane raid in BJ McLachlan Stakes and Magic Millions Falvelon
A pair of promising two-year-olds from the Ciaron Maher stable have lured top Sydney hoop Jason Collett to Queensland for back-to-back meetings this weekend. Collett is heading north to partner filly Life After Love in the $250,000 Magic Millions The Debut (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Friday night and her Maher-trained stablemate...
Theodore aims to keep strike-rate going in Christmas Cup at Murray Bridge
Trainer Stephen Theodore is looking to Divine Fire keeping his impressive strike-rate going when she shoots for a winning hat-trick on Saturday. After victories at Morphettville and Gawler, Divine Fire runs in the Christmas Cup (1600m) at Murray Bridge with Jacob Opperman in the saddle. Since returning to training ranks at the start of...
