Bunbury   06 Jul 2025
 
GOING: H(9)

BUNBURY VOLKSWAGEN SOUTH WEST CUP 2200m

Track: Soft 7   Rain (Max: 18)   Rail: True. (Pent: 7.60)  

Playhouse Patron should lead and dictate terms. The feature of the day and BUCKETS RIDGE (4) was very impressive late in the Strickland Stakes. The pace there was farcical and he really had no chance from the top of the straight. Expecting him to sit a touch closer this time and if there's more pace on, he can go one better. SIMPLY (8) jumps right up in trip third-up into the campaign but this looks a target with Pike hopping in the saddle from an inside barrier. He's down in the weights and his third-up record is solid. Wasn't disgraces in the Perth Cup lead ups last campaign and he can land the knockout blow. GINGER BAKER (2) dictated the speed in the Strickland and sprinted well, only beaten 1.9L. He's likely to be up front yet again under Brad Parnham and he'll give a bold sight up front. PLAYHOUSE PATRON (5) may also be up front in the run and is proven over this trip. Can be in the finish. FEAR THE WIND (6) is next best third-up into the campaign. SUGGESTED PLAY: Buckets Ridge looks the one to beat in the South West Cup.
1 0x066 RIVER RUBICON
STEVE WOLFE
6YO  B/BR  GELDING 57.0KG
S J Wolfe, Miss K A Bloomfield, G T Evans, A Boodhna, V R Jury, P Smith, Mrs J E Smith, J Connolly, Ms R Maynard, S P Bargiev, K Johnson & River Rubicon (Mgr: D Pearce)
At the latest run 6th of 9 at Pinjarra in the G3 Strickland on June 21 over 2000m, in the wet; 4 len behind Admiration Express carrying 59kg at $51. The race before that 6th of 16 at Pinjarra Scarpside in the G3 Hyperion on June 7 over 1600m, 3 len behind Western Empire carrying 59kg at $201. Just ticking along and will need to lift.
8
B LOUIS
Light Blue, Red Maltese Cross
2 80073 GINGER BAKER
DANIEL & BEN PEARCE
7YO  B/BR  GELDING 57.0KG
Greenfields Lodge Syn (Mgr: T M Patrizi)
At the latest run set the pace for much of the race 3rd of 9 at Pinjarra in the G3 Strickland on June 21 over 2000m, on heavy track; 2 len behind Admiration Express carrying 59kg at $20. Before that 7th of 16 at Pinjarra Scarpside in the G3 Hyperion on June 7 over 1600m, 3 len behind Western Empire carrying 59kg at $201. Will give himself every chance up front.
7
B PARNHAM
White, Black Sleeves And Cap
3 69x08 STARRY HEIGHTS
GRANT & ALANA WILLIAMS
5YO  BAY  GELDING 57.0KG
Williams Breeding (Mgr: Mrs A D Williams), B J Greenwood, R V Wilson, D B Elzas, J Bernhard, L Holland, A J Davidson, B Holland, A Holland, S Martin, G L Sedgwick, B Thorneloe, R N Kemp, P J Richards, A J F Buhagiar, Ungar Family (Mgr: T M Ungar), G B Ralston, T H McLernon & C W Chalwell
Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up second last of 16 at Pinjarra Scarpside in the G3 Hyperion on June 7 over 1600m, 7 len behind Western Empire carrying 59kg at $201. Second run from a spell second last of 9 at Pinjarra in the G3 Strickland on June 21 over 2000m, on a wet track; 6 len behind Admiration Express with 59kg at $71. Outside chance.
2
BRAYDEN GAERTH
Gold With Black W, Horse Overlay, Gold Sleeves With Black Seam, Gold Cap
4 07x82 BUCKETS RIDGE
GRANT & ALANA WILLIAMS
4YO  BAY  GELDING 57.0KG
P V Walsh, Jodianka Pty Ltd (Mgr: Mrs D E Ciprian), Bradley Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd (Mgr: B G Bradley), W W Willcock, W W Hams, Mrs N L Gregson, D W Scott, C Ridge, Mrs R Vicki, B Strahan, M L Brown, R N Henchie, B A Ridge & N G Henchie
Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 8th of 16 at Pinjarra Scarpside in the G3 Hyperion on June 7 over 1600m, 3.5 len behind Western Empire with 59kg at $51. Second-up 2nd of 9 at Pinjarra in the G3 Strickland on June 21 over 2000m, on rain affected going; 1.4 len behind Admiration Express carrying 59kg at $16. Capable of a better showing. Sprinted quickly in the Strickland and looks poised to strike.
5
CHRIS PARNHAM
Green, Red Sleeves, White Armbands, Red Cap
5 9x906 PLAYHOUSE PATRON
BOB MCPHERSON
5YO  B/BR  GELDING 56.0KG
R C McPherson, Mrs J A McPherson & Mrs B Lammie
Most recently did the work up front then tired 6th of 9 at Pinjarra Rtg 78+ on June 21 over 1600m, in the wet; 2.5 len behind Multinational carrying 59kg at $31. The race before that second last of 15 at Pinjarra Scarpside Rtg 78+ on June 7 over 1400m, 6 len behind Luvnwar with 60kg at $71. Can sit close to the speed and give a bold sight.
6
J AZZOPARDI
Pink, Brown Sash, Royal Blue Armbands And Quartered Cap
6 62x09 FEAR THE WIND
DANIEL & BEN PEARCE
7YO  BAY  GELDING 56.0KG
J G Ferguson, T Leeflang, Ms B King, C Van Heemst, F Cassim, T Van Heemst, Circle Of Trust (Mgr: P L Kerr), Ms S Parson, Ms S Ferguson & G Merzian
Third-up today. Resuming ran last of 15 at Pinjarra Scarpside Rtg 78+ on June 7 over 1400m, 7 len behind Luvnwar with 58kg at $91. Last start raced behind the speed prior to fading to run last of 9 at Pinjarra in the G3 Strickland on June 21 over 2000m, on heavy track; 7 len behind Admiration Express with 59kg at $101. Worth following up.
3
LUCY FIORE
White, Green Shamrock
7 9x905 KAPTAIN KAOS
PETER GIADRESCO
7YO  BAY  GELDING 55.0KG
P J Giadresco, Mrs F Giadresco, M D Giadresco & Q P Giadresco
Last start eased back early on 5th of 9 at Pinjarra Rtg 78+ on June 21 over 1600m, on rain affected going; 2 len behind Multinational with 57kg at $26. Before that 11th of 15 at Pinjarra Scarpside Rtg 78+ on June 7 over 1400m, 5 len behind Luvnwar carrying 58kg at $61. Better last time but looking elsewhere.
4
T TURNER
Red And White Halves, Red Cap
8 88x84 SIMPLY
GRANT & ALANA WILLIAMS
4YO  BROWN  GELDING 55.0KG
P J Griffin, T Sheehy, P F Bell & J Carone
Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 8th of 15 at Pinjarra Scarpside Rtg 78+ on June 7 over 1400m, 3 len behind Luvnwar with 55.5kg at $81. Second-up 4th of 9 at Pinjarra Rtg 78+ on June 21 over 1600m, on rain affected going; 1.3 len behind Multinational carrying 55.5kg at $8.50. Big tick up in trip and looks set for this race.
1
WILLIAM PIKE
Red, Light Blue Band, Armbands And Cap