Bunbury Cup 2016: Full field preview and tips

The 2200 metre race jumps at 4.45pm with many of the runners from last fortnight's AHA Cup engaged again with their eyes on the $120,000 prize. 

With the shock scratching of pre-race favourite Angola, our form analyst Andrew Elstermann ran a microscope over the field in the hope of finding a winner. 

Trainer: Adam Durrant. Jockey: Peter Hall. Weight: 59 kgs.

Tower of Lonhro was defeated by the narrowest of margins in the 2016 AHA Cup when first up. Expect the horse to be fitter here and happy to push on over the extra 200 metres. Every chance of figuring in the placings again. Jockey Peter Hall knows what it takes to win the big races too. 

Trainer: Tara Itzstein. Jockey: Shaun O'Donnell. Weight: 56 kgs. 

Bedamijo was strong in winning the AHA Cup double and will be hoping to repeat the double act that Tick Tick Bloom managed last year. Bedamijo gets a drop in the weights on that performance but has drawn a wide gate. Much like Tower of Lonhro, this horse has claims. Jockey Shaun O'Donnell has three previous Bunbury Cup victories - Power Mak in 2005, Street Value in 2011 and Classique Ivory in 2014. 

Trainer: Justin Warwick. Jockey: Lucy Warwick. Weight: 56 kgs. 

Dubai Escapade is a bit of an unknown quantity. The last time the chestnut gelding ran was in January's Perth Cup at Ascot where he finished a respectable sixth. Here he comes to the races without a trial so reading the form is difficult. Local father/daughter trainer/jockey pairing Justin and Lucy Warwick have shown to be a formidable pair on a number of occasions. Trust that they come into this event giving themselves every chance at success. 

Trainer: Arthur Mortimer. Jockey: Danny Miller. Weight: 56 kgs. 

There is no slowing Australia's oldest jockey Danny Miller down and once the gates spring open on Thursday afternoon, there will be no stopping Kirov Boy either. This horse knows one speed, flat out, especially here at his favourite distance. Expect to see Kirov Boy and Miller, 69, shoot straight to the front and try to open up a break down the back straight. Many a jockey has made the mistake of sitting back hoping his or her mount will reel in Kirov Boy. Let him slip too far in front at your own risk. If this horse is his customary five to six lengths clear on the turn, he could be every chance of delivering a knockout punch. 

Trainer: Justin Warwick. Jockey: William Pike. Weight: 55.5 kgs. 

Angola was luckless in the AHA Cup and was expect to have every chance to atone here before a foot abscess caused trainer Justin Warwick to scratch him on Wednesday. A real shame for jockey William Pike who was successful in last year's Cup aboard Tick Tick Bloom. 

Trainer: Anne King. Jockey: Ben Paterson. Weight: 54 kgs.

Already Famous is a beautifully consistent performer who finished third in the AHA Cup. The connections will be happy to draw barrier one and the horse will be given every chance to settle close to the front in running. With a little bit of luck on the turn there will be some petrol left in the tank to give Paterson every chance of scoring his maiden Bunbury Cup win. 

Trainer: Lindsey Smith. Jockey: Joseph Azzopardi. Weight: 54 kgs. 

Cougar Express raced in Perth just last Saturday where he led a field of 10 into the straight over 2150 metres and was run over late to finish fourth. Prior to that, the gelding had run in the money on the previous six occasions and with experienced hoop Joseph Azzopardi onboard, could surprise a few again.

Trainer: Michael Lane. Jockey: Damian Lane. Weight: 54 kgs. 

Wouldn't there be a few in Bunbury who would love to see jockey Damian Lane win the Cup. Lane grew up in Bunbury and has forged ahead with a full-time career as a jockey in Melbourne. In 2015, Lane has his first ride in the Melbourne Cup finishing tenth aboard Quest For More. Here he partners Cougar Nights, trained by Damian's father Michael which ran on late in the AHA Cup. The distance may be a query here but consider having the horse in your multiples. Also follow Damian's rides throughout the day. He is sure to salute somewhere. 

Trainer: Neville Parnham. Jockey: Steven Parnham. Weight: 54 kgs. 

British horse Fulgur was five lengths adrift in the AHA Cup and given a very similar field is engaged here, an improvement would be needed. Father/son trainer/jockey partnership Neville and Steven Parnham have had a lot of success but I don't think today will be their day. 

Trainer: Simon Foster. Jockey: Jason Brown. Weight: 54 kgs. 

Reset's Mate is trained locally by Simon Foster and has been improving this preparation before finishing fourth in the AHA Cup. His fitness will continue to improve and the added distance is a plus. I wouldn't bank on a win today but he is certainly not the worst. 

Trainer: Mark Wright. Jockey: Craig Staples. Weight: 54 kgs. 

Saxapak was scratched on Wednesday along with Angola. This race would have been a big test. 

Trainer: Mark Wright. Jockey: Jerry Noske. Weight: 54kgs. 

The Melbourne Cup taught every punter a very valuable lesson, trust the ladies choice. Female punters up and down the country ignore the nay-saying of experienced tipsters and racing gurus and outlaid a little bit of their hard-earned on Michelle Payne to become the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup. She did aboard Prince of Penzance and rewarded those who had faith with $65+ dividends. Here up-and-coming talent Jerry Noske partners with 2015 Busselton Cup winner The Ladies Choice. He finished second at Ascot on Saturday at tasty odds and while he is likely to be the roughest starter with the bookmakers, sometimes dreams really do come true. 

Trainer: Lou Luciani. Jockey: Jason Whiting. Weight: 54 kgs. 

Tonto was unlucky in the AHA Cup when he was trapped out wide, having beaten Bedamijo in Perth last November. From barrier two, that shouldn't happen in the Cup. Trainer Lou Luciani got the chocolates in last weekend's Bunbury Stakes when his runner Young Lionel, a former Esperance Cup winner, saluted at $15. The 2200 metre distance suits this horse to a tee and jockey Jason Whiting is one of the best in the business. This could be his day. 

Trainer: Peter Fernie. Jockey: Brad Parnham. Weight: 54 kgs. 

Ultimate Success was racing well early in the year in Esperance and started a short-priced favourite in their Cup. The run was disappointing after being trapped wide for most of the race. He keeps a light weight here and may be a chance if things are run to suit. 

Trainer: Lindsey Smith. Jockey: Kyra Yuill. Weight: 54 kg. 

Zarantz is another runner who will relish the distance and is working his way up to a solid fitness point. Local hoop Kyra Yuill's strike-rate is off the charts at her home track, compared to other race venues - she just seems to find a little bit of magic in Bunbury. A definite place chance today. 

There is an open affair on paper but I warm towards Tonto. His run in the AHA Cup is forgivable and in the end, he certainly wasn't disgraced. Bunbury trainer Lou Luciani will have given him what he needs to be ready for this task and the plum barrier is a big plus. 

1. Tonto

2. Tower of Lonhro

3. Already Famous

4. Cougar Nights