4:34 Perth
This Class 5 handicap hurdle at Perth, part of the Go North Brindisi Breeze Series, brings together nine runners over an extended 2m7f207y on good ground. The KTB Fit ratings identify a clear top four, headed by Way Maker on 68, with Broken Ice, Wee Alki and Dalileo all closely matched in the 59-64 range, while the remainder sit between 43 and 53. Several runners are dropping in class and a number are stepping up markedly in trip, adding layers of uncertainty to a race that looks likely to be dictated by the lone leader.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is a lone leader with high confidence, pointing to an uncontested lead that could prove difficult for closers to reel in. Maillot Blanc is the only confirmed front-runner and should be allowed an easy time on the front end, while the other eight are all held-up types who will be producing their efforts from off the pace. The key question is whether the leader can maintain the advantage or if one of the patient runners, ideally suited by the trip and track, can close him down in the latter stages.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Way Maker KTB Selection68/100
Way Maker arrives in excellent order, a useful performer who has been knocking on the door with three seconds in his last four starts. He showed he handles Perth when finishing third here last time out and now drops in class, which looks a positive. Both trainer Mickey Bowen and jockey James Bowen have strong records at the track, the yard recording a 28% strike rate at Perth with an A/E of 1.01. The combination adds confidence, although stepping up in trip for the first time today remains an unknown. Usually held up, he will be produced late off what is expected to be an uncontested lead.
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2Broken Ice64/100
Broken Ice is a useful performer who has won over this trip and landed a race here from two visits to Perth. He drops back from 3m2f having shown ordinary form on his last two starts, yet his course record of one win from two starts remains a strong asset. Trainer John McConnell and jockey Alex Harvey both operate at a solid 20% plus strike rate at Perth, which is another positive. Usually held up with high confidence, he will be waited with before delivering his effort. At the age of ten he retains plenty of know-how and could capitalise if the leader falters.
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3Wee Alki59/100
Wee Alki is a useful performer who has placed on both previous runs at Perth and has already won twice over today's trip. Recent form is mixed, however, with a pulled-up effort last time out and only one win from ten starts on good ground. Trainer Susan Corbett and jockey Nathan Moscrop both have solid records at the track, the yard showing an A/E of 1.29 over 118 runs here. Dropping in class should help and he has the right run-style to capitalise on a strong pace, though his mixed profile means he needs to bounce back from that latest disappointment.
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4Dalileo59/100
Dalileo is a useful performer who has won four times at Perth from 26 starts and also has a solid record at this trip with four wins from 24 attempts. He showed decent form when winning twice earlier this season but has been below that level on his last two starts. The yard and jockey both have modest records at the track, which is a slight concern. Usually held up with high confidence, he will be ridden for a late run. His course form makes him dangerous if he can rediscover the spark he showed at the start of the campaign.
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5Maillot Blanc53/100
Maillot Blanc is a useful performer who won over this trip here last year and has placed on good ground. Recent form is patchy though, with a pulled-up effort last time and only one win from his last 14 starts. Trainer has a modest record at Perth while the jockey is still seeking a first winner at the track. As the only front-runner he is set to enjoy an uncontested lead.
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6Jetovango52/100
Jetovango is a useful performer who has shown some promise on his better days yet has been inconsistent overall. He steps up markedly in trip today having failed to complete the course last time and with only one previous try at this sort of distance. Trainer's modest 5% strike rate at Perth is a negative while the jockey's record here is more respectable.
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7Steps In The Sand47/100
Steps In The Sand is a useful performer who has been consistent without winning lately, finishing placed in four of his last six starts. He steps up markedly in trip today having never gone beyond 2m3f, which asks a fresh question of his stamina. The yard's record here is too small to judge but Sean Bowen has a solid 32% strike rate at Perth.
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8Secret Secret46/100
Secret Secret is a useful performer who has been consistent without winning for a while, placing three times from his last six starts. He steps up in trip today having failed to trouble the judge in five previous attempts at this distance, while his record on good ground is modest with just one win from 25 starts. The trainer has a solid 9% strike-rate at Perth from 111 runs but the jockey is still seeking her first winner here from six rides.
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9Reflection of You43/100
Reflection of You is a useful performer who has shown consistent placed form at this track, finishing third on two of three visits. He has won over today's trip and looks competitive on good ground, though the yard's modest 7% strike-rate here tempers expectations. The jockey's solid 14% record at Perth adds a positive.
KTB verdict
Way Maker is the KTB Selection. He has been knocking on the door with three seconds in his last four starts, showed he handles the track when third here last time, and is now dropping in class with a yard and jockey combination that both boast strong Perth records. The step up in trip is the main unknown, but his held-up style is well suited to the expected pace shape. The main dangers are Broken Ice, who has won over the trip and at the track, Wee Alki, who has placed here and won twice at the distance, and Dalileo, who boasts four course wins and a strong trip record despite modest recent form.
KTB Selection Way Maker
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:04 UTC, 24 Sep. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Way Maker | 11/4 | Bet365 |
| Broken Ice | 11/2 | Bet365 |
| Wee Alki | 11/1 | Bet365 |
| Dalileo | 18/1 | Bet365 |
| Maillot Blanc | 11/1 | 7Bet |
| Jetovango | 13/2 | 7Bet |
| Steps In The Sand | 4/1 | Bet365 |
| Secret Secret | 7/1 | 7Bet |
| Reflection of You | 10/1 | 7Bet |
This is the narrative read of the 4:34 Perth. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Perth racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Perth results & records page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is the only confirmed front-runner and therefore set to enjoy the uncontested lead?
Maillot Blanc is the sole front-runner in a pace shape described as a lone leader with high confidence.
How many of the nine runners are stepping up markedly in trip for the first time?
Jetovango, Steps In The Sand and Way Maker are all stepping up markedly in trip, with the latter doing so for the first time.
Which jockey has the strongest strike rate at Perth among those riding in this race?
Sean Bowen has a 32% strike rate at Perth from 346 rides.
Which horse has the best course record at Perth in terms of wins?
Dalileo has won four times at Perth from 26 starts.
How many of the principals are dropping in class?
Way Maker and Wee Alki are both dropping in class.
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