Early Autumn at Perth

That's the meteorological autumn, as opposed to the equinoctial one before anyone asks...

PERTH – Monday September 9^th

Going – Good

An extra day on the schedule at Perth this year with good prize money on offer, ideal ground,…and very disappointing field sizes.

The second last hurdle was placed as far down the straight as I can ever remember.

2.20 2m 110yds TUV-SUD Novices’ Hurdle (Class 4)

IT’S A MAN’S WORLD has plenty of flat mileage on the clock, but has progressed over hurdles and recorded a second consecutive winner. He travelled well all the way, led before the last and comfortably the double penalty carrying winner. He’s versatile ground wise so I wouldn’t imagine softer going would be a problem itself, though there’s a fair chance he would struggle for stamina.

SMART RULER was outpointed from before the last but not pressed by his jockey once his chance had gone. He’s won twice recently, but looks to need decent ground and may be put away once the rains arrive.

ULTRA DE CHATELET  was outpaced at key points in the race, but wasn’t totally disgraced after a 9 month lay-off. He has chasing experience in France and his future is likely to be over fences.

KING KURT jumped nicely in front until two out but then gave way. He looks to have the basics for hurdling and will make more of a mark once gaining a handicap mark.

2.50 3m 110yds Moness Estate Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)

EMILY’S FLYER was in control of this contest on the final circuit. She’s lightly raced, beat two recent winners and won with a bit in hand. The track and ground clearly suited her and she was enterprisingly ridden by Paddy Brennan.

TOYE NATIVE chased the winner from four out but never got near enough for a blow. She saw out the trip well enough and kept on in the closing stages.

JIMMY THE HAT didn’t look at all comfortable from three out and was well held. He hinted that there may be something hurting.

LOS NADIS was under the pump before three out and is below form at the moment.

3.20 TUV-SUD Handicap Chase (Class 4)

ACAPULCO GOLD jumped nicely enough here. He challenged before two out, led at the last and stayed on nicely. He has a pretty decent record over fences when his jumping holds up.

WILD GEESE ran a better race than his last two efforts. He had every chance two out but was held on the flat.

DIDDLEY DEE was off the bridle by halfway and driven along for much of the remainder of the contest. It’s not untypical of him and he really a race to fall for him.

O CROTAIGH made the pace jumping well, but he does need his own way in front and the others were always close enough to hassle him. He gave way once headed before two out.

RATHMOYLE HOUSE was still in touch and hadn’t been asked a question when falling four out.

SOLWAY SAM was hampered by the faller and lost ground, then slipped on the home turn and unseated

3.50 Crabbie’s Amateur Riders’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)

Not a strong event and it resulted in an Irish one-two.

CALL BOX led three out and stayed on under pressure up the straight to beat HOLD EM COWBOY. The runner-up has a fair few miles on the clock and is not a prolific winner.  CALL BOX on the other hand has only raced 14 times and there might still be a little more to come over hurdles.

BESCOT SPRINGS never got to leaders and was beaten before the last. He’s not at his best at the moment.

MUMGO’S DEBUT, well regarded when first entering the Russell yard, travelled well enough for two miles but faded quickly in the straight and ended up being passed by TIM’S APPROACH, a slow animal who is easily beaten.

4.20 TUV-SUD Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)

DHAULAR DAR was given a cracking ride by Gary Bartley. He’s been running creditably on the flat, if not quite at his former level, and it wasn’t a huge surprise that he won even if he was 25/1. He was waited with got into the race up the straight and took charge from the last. Nice to the old boy having another visit to the winner’s enclosure, and I wonder if there might be a chance at Musselburgh when that course begins their jumps season?

MOONLONE LANE has yet to win but ran a fair race to fill second place.

ENDEAVOR wasn’t disgraced in third and ran respectably from a career high hurdles mark.

OUTRAGEOUIS REQUEST was dropped in class having contested the Summer Champion Hurdle here last time. He tried to make all the running but was out on his feet by the last and faded to fourth. He may be better with a little less use made of him.

4.50 2m 4f 110yds Prestige Handicap Chase (Class 3)

A cracking race that saw two in-form sorts who hadn’t been apart here last time contest a bobbing finish. SCOTCH WARRIOR’s record round Perth is now 6 wins from 12 runs, though it should be said that he hardly runs anywhere else these days. He won’t go up far for this win as he had to dig deep to hold the gallant second.  His trainer has done really well with this one.

SERGEANT PINK is a totally different animal from the one I saw ‘dogging it’ at Kelso last winter. Ultimately he probably lost because he was not fluent at any of the last four fences. He has a fair amount of ability though and that kept in contention, digging deep on the run-in but just held. If his jumping is better at the sharp end he can win again.

DARK ENERGY was always on the tails of the leaders and had every chance at the last but was just held.

QUITO DU TRESOR went well enough in front but came under pressure two out and had nothing extra to give on the flat.

MAGGIO was beaten before two out and disappointing while Gordon Elliott’s JAMSIE HALL didn’t get in a blow.

5.20  2m 110yds Pipe and Piling Supplies Standard Open NH Flat Race(Class 5)

Only three runners but I think all will be worth keeping an eye on for the future.

IT’S ALL AN ACT looked a bit green when driven out in the straight, but made all and had plenty in hand. He’s nicely bred for the jumping game and is worth keeping on a list of long term prospects.

INDIAN WRITER was a bit outpaced five furlongs out but kept on nicely enough in the closing stages.

SHARP was outpaced in the final two furlongs, but has enough about him to suggest he can make up into a racehorse. He will likely put this form behind him in time.