2009 Perth Cup

Western Australia's answer to the Melbourne Cup is the regions premier horseracing event, the BMW Perth Cup, which carries prize money totaling $400,000. The Group Two race is for three-year-olds and up. The race is over 3200 meters and is expected to draw in the neighborhood of 40,000 spectators.

Race Type: Group 2 Distance: 3200m Racecourse: Ascot Racecourse, Perth Address: Grandstand Road, Ascot, WA 6104, Australia Telephone: (08) 9277 0713 Website: http://www.ascot.co.uk

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The race is held at Perth's Ascot Racecourse on New Year's Day of each year. Ascot, called by some "the grand old lady" of Australian racecourses, is regarded as the country' toughest test for thoroughbreds.

The circumference of the track is 2022 meters with the straight being 294 meters long. There is a good cambered home turn and a slight rise from the 400-meter pole to the finish line.

Experts regard the home stretch as the most severe test of stayers in Australia. The Western Australian Turf Club, now operating as Perth Racing, has been hosting thoroughbred racing in the state for over 150 years and runs Ascot Racecourse along with Belmont Park. Both are within minutes of Perth.

A six-year-old, Black Tom, ridden by Peter Hall and trained by Frank H. Maynard, won the 2006 Perth Cup. In 2005, Crown Prosecutor, a four-year-old, was the champion.

Other recent winners include King Canute, 2004; Tumeric, 2003; Cardinal Colours, 2002; Lottila Bay, 2001; Luna Tudor, 2000; King Of Saxony, 1999; Heed The Toll, 1998; Time Frame, 1997; and Crying Game 1996. Seven Horses have captured two Perth Cups. The last was Magistrate with wins in 1981 and 1982.

Jockey F. J. Treen has ridden five champions: 1949, 1952, 1963, 1964 and 1969.

Six other riders have three wins each. Both J. J. Kelly and G. A. Towton have saddled seven winners. Kelly's wins were in the early 1900's and Towton's in the late 1800's. More recently, Alan D. Mathews has trained six winners. They were in 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2001 and 2003.

Past winners of the Perth Cup:

2008 - Respect 2006 - Black Tom 2005 - Crown Prosecutor 2004 - King Canute 2003 - Tumeric 2002 - Cardinal Colours

2001 - Lottila Bay 2000 - Luna Tudor 1999 - King Of Saxony 1998 - Heed The Toll 1997 - Time Frame 1996 - Crying Game