Perth Cup 2026 – Tips, Field, Odds, Horses and Betting Preview

The Perth Cup (2400m) is the first feature race of 2026 and the staying contest at Ascot highlights the eleven race card on Thursday.

Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2026 Perth Cup.

2026 Perth Cup Runner Preview:

1. In Good Order: Thought he was plain behind Apulia and just can’t see him turning the tables.

2. Apulia: All things being equal, Apulia wins. He had no right to win the Ted Van Heemst given where he was in the run and despite it being given none by Pike, he still rounded them up to win. I can’t see anything turning the tables from that race here, he maps perfect, Pike sticks…very likeable.

3. Diamond Scene: You can only assume that CJP had the pick of Uncle Bob’s runners. Surprising given this guy seemingly had every chance behind Apulia. But, he ran so well in this race in 2025 so the trip is no issue and can settle forward of midfield.

4. Sentimental Hero: End of prep run in this race in 2025. I think there is a bit more sense of timing with him. Good in the Railway, total forgive in the Northerly and then bounced back to run well in the Ted Van Heemst. He’ll give a sight I am sure.

5. Buckets Ridge: I really don’t know how the stable have found Luke Nolen. Towton Cup win was very good, having topweight and finishing best to score. The gate, the rider…enough for me to say he should be double figures.

6. Be Optimistic: Placed in the 2025 Perth Cup and was sneaky okay late in the Ted Van Heemst. Doubt she turns the tables but runs well.

7. Demolish: Keen behind the speed in the ATA but even allowing for that, he was plain late and I just can’t see him threatening.

8. Fame: I want to be on something each way and that something is Fame. He was massive in defeat over 2200m here a few weeks ago, wide no cover throughout yet was hailed as the winner, only getting bloused late by Grand Reserve. Brings inferior form yes, but is on the minimum with fresh legs, he’ll do no work, upside, sense of timing…I think he only runs well.

9. Filthy Habits: He’s a ripper this boy. Loved the way he fought on in the ATA, only getting nabbed late…but I have others ahead of him.

10. Forever Boy: Forever Boy was the beaten short priced favourite in the ATA. I thought, despite copping a loss of momentum on the turn, he had enough time to wind up and win but just one batted to the line when third to Playhouse Patron. I reckon he’ll be out of trouble on speed and making sure this is a truly run 2400m.

11. Grand Pierro: He should be racing in the Bagot. This seems a bridge way too far.

12. Playhouse Patron: Big win in the ATA given he was wide no cover throughout and was there to be beaten but he found and finished best. But, a win here would shock.

13. Rocking Society: He’s making up the numbers.

14. Simply: Surprise win in the Scahill Cup but was well held in the Towton Cup and he looks held here.

15. Stormageddon: He’s the knockout hope. Race shape was clearly against in the ATA but he kept chasing and was quite good in defeat. More genuine tempo to sit off this time around, he can run a cheeky race.

2026 Perth Cup $100 Betting Strategy:

$20 Win/$80 Place Fame Tote/SP

2026 Perth Cup Field

No	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Barrier	Weight
1	IN GOOD ORDER	Daniel Morton	Brad Rawiller	8	59kg
2	APULIA	Ben, Will & JD Hayes	William Pike	3	58.5kg
3	DIAMOND SCENE	Michael Grantham	Clint Johnston-Porter	12	58.5kg
4	SENTIMENTAL HERO	Peter Fernie	Craig Newitt	2	58.5kg
5	BUCKETS RIDGE	Grant & Alana Williams	Luke Nolen	15	56.5kg
6	BE OPTIMISTIC	Luke Fernie	Joey Azzopardi	7	53.5kg
7	DEMOLISH	Neville Parnham	Laqdar Ramoly	10	53kg
8	FAME	Daniel & Ben Pearce	Ms Tash Faithfull	1	53kg
9	FILTHY HABITS	Brandon Fiore	Ms Lucy Fiore	5	53kg
10	FOREVER BOY (NZ)	Michael Grantham	Chris Parnham	11	53kg
11	GRAND PIERRO	Jason Warren	Steven Parnham	13	53kg
12	PLAYHOUSE PATRON	Bob McPherson	Shaun McGruddy	4	53kg
13	ROCKING SOCIETY	Jason Miller	Brayden Gaerth	6	53kg
14	SIMPLY	Grant & Alana Williams	Fred Kersley	14	53kg
15	STORMAGEDDON	Michael Grantham	Ms Holly Watson	9	53kg

2026 Perth Cup Odds

2026 Perth Cup Speed Map

I think there will be good tempo here. I think Fame will want to hold a spot from the inside draw. Sentimental Hero has Froggy back on so I suspect they’ll be positive. Filthy Habits likes to lead, and drawn wide, Forever Boy should push forward as well, likewise stablemate Diamond Scene, generating a good tempo.