The ultimate test will come on Saturday, but there are a lot of good signs pointing to Numerian reproducing a similar performance to last year when successful in the west.
The veteran nine-year-old lines up in the Group 2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes (2100m), and a race he won with great effect 12-months ago when defeating frontrunning local hope, Marocchino.
Trainers Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald are plotting a second raid on Perth’s feature races after Port Lockroy won last month’s Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m).
Proven at weight-for-age and adept at the distance, what’s given Archibald another surge in confidence is how well Numerian has come through his run in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) two weeks back.
First up after a month, the Holy Roman Emperor gelding experienced a hard run when caught wide in the middle of the pack, but he fought the race out strongly to finish seventh and three lengths from Light Infantry Man.
The manner in which Numerian fought out the Northerly Stakes when beaten and how he’s has bounced out of it has Archibald thinking he could win it again.
“That was the thing is that he did come out of it well because it was a tough enough run over that distance,” Archibald said on Tabradio.
“He went into it fresh and carrying a little bit of condition, but he’s tightened up.
“Everything we’re seeing from him seems to suggest he’s very well in himself.
“Ultimately you never really know until you go back to the races.
“But, everything we’re seeing has been good.”
Positive vibes from the Neasham and Archibald stable is not reflected with Tabtouch.
Numerian has been displaced as favourite, out to $3.30 with online bookmakers after he opened market leader at $2.70.
Socks Nation, from the powerful Ciaron Maher set up, has firmed from $3 into $2.90.
In Good Order is $7.50 and defending Perth Cup champion, Casino Seventeen $8.50.
Numerian has drawn barrier three in the Ted Van Heemst Stakes and will be in the hands of Clint Johnston-Porter, the same winning combination as last year.
