2017 Bunbury Cup preview: 11 runners set to race

1. Zarantz

Six-year-old Zarantz is a former Albany and Pinjarra Cup winner who trialed well in Bunbury on March 3 but struggled to make ground late first up in the 2017 Prince of Wales Cup. Local jockey Glenn Smith taking the ride is a plus for this outsider.

2. Tonto

Five-year-old Tonto started equal favourite in last year’s Cup and finished a neck away second to Cougar Express. The bay gelding has shown a lot of ability over the years and ran on well to finish fourth in the Prince of Wales Cup.

3. Material Man

Five-year-old Material Man will certainly start favourite in the Bunbury Cup. He showed contempt for his rivals when winning the Prince of Wales Cup a fortnight ago and jockey Chris Parnham could repeat the dose here. 

4. Dark Alert

A five-year-old with a good strike rate, Dark Alert finished third in the Prince of Wales Cup is a clear threat with champion jockey William Pike taking the ride.

5. Bedamijo

The oldest runner in the field Bedamijo, a nine-year-old, won last year’s AHA Cup but arguably his best is now behind him. He will start at long odds for jockey Shaun O’Donnell.

6. Eleven Seconds

Eleven Seconds had two recent goes over 2200 metres in Perth and placed on both occasions. Brad Parnham could be aboard a genuine winning chance here. 

7. Falcon Crest

Five-year-old Falcon Crest looked dangerous on the turn of the Prince of Wales Cup but weakened in the straight to finish fifth. I’m not sure where the required improvement is going to come from on Thursday. Jockey William Pike hopping off doesn’t fill me with confidence either. 

8. Hakuna Matata

An 18 start maiden, Hakuna Matata finally figured this racing caper out in 2017 and had three wins on the trot. Matthieu Autier takes the ride here and Hakuna Matata is worth some thought at a price.

9. My Magic Miss

Turned heads with a flying second place in the Prince of Wales Cup at massive odds. The five-year-old will start shorter in the Bunbury Cup and isn’t without a hope with jockey Joseph Azzopardi retaining the ride.

10. Shinta Mani

It’s hard to put a finger on where Shinta Mani is at. The five-year-old was disappointing in some early starts this year but won his last race over the same distance at Ascot. Jason Whiting knows how to handle this horse well and the market on Thursday will be a good indicator.

11. Tarquinn Shadow

Five-year-old Tarquinn Shadow got a nice sit behind the leaders in the Prince of Wales Cup but was hampered in the straight. With more luck in running, four time Bunbury Cup winner Troy Turner may surprise a few.

TIPS

1. Material Man

2. Dark Alert

3. Eleven Seconds

4. My Magic Miss