2:42 Perth
This Class 5 novices' limited handicap hurdle at Perth over 2m47y on good ground features a field of 13 where the KTB Fit ratings suggest a competitive but not overwhelming contest. Allibaba tops the figures with a score of 61 and the highest RPR in the line-up at 97, while the next four principals are tightly bunched between 52 and 58. The pace shape points to a strong gallop with multiple front-runners present, which could set things up for those coming from off the pace later on.
How the race shapes up
With two or more habitual front-runners in the line-up the pace is likely to be strong, and the race could collapse late as those setting the fractions pay for their efforts. Morandi Second and King Kodiak are the types to take the field along while Magic Gloves tends to race prominently. This shape poses the key question of whether any of the hold-up performers, such as the selection Allibaba, Betteryouthanme or Storm The Dug, can time their runs to pick up the pieces when the leaders tire.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Allibaba KTB Selection61/100RPR 97 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 2Morandi Second58/100RPR 101 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 3Betteryouthanme55/100RPR 93 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 4Magic Gloves55/100RPR 101 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 5Storm The Dug52/100RPR 95 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 6Breadalbane Lass51/100RPR 97 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 7King Kodiak51/100RPR 100 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 8Karthala48/100RPR 92 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 9Struth47/100RPR 94 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 10Jack Dempsey46/100RPR 93 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 11Bouboule46/100RPR 101 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 12Blondina44/100RPR 88 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 13Bray Dale35/100RPR 84 — field comparison calculated at page load
The contenders
Allibaba KTB Fit 61/100
Allibaba comes into this as the KTB Selection with a Fit Score of 61 and an RPR of 97 that marks him as a useful performer on his figures. He has already won twice at this trip and has shown he handles good ground with two wins from seven starts. The yard posts a 20% strike rate at Perth from a smallish sample and the trainer and jockey combination shows a 3/7 record together. Recent form has been patchy but his ability to produce an effort late from a hold-up position could be ideal given the expected strong pace. First run at the track is neutral and he arrives with solid claims at this level.
Morandi Second KTB Fit 58/100
Morandi Second is rated a useful performer on his figures with an RPR of 101 and has shown enough on good ground to be competitive at this level. He has been placed four times at today's trip from ten starts and boasts form figures of 32 on good ground, though he is yet to win in either sphere. The yard has a solid 16% strike rate at Perth and the trainer and jockey show a 3/19 record together. Only one previous run at the track resulted in an eighth-place finish. Racing prominently as a front-runner could see him set or share the expected strong pace.
Betteryouthanme KTB Fit 55/100
Betteryouthanme showed clear promise when third over 2m4f here on handicap debut last month, travelling well for a long way. He drops back in trip today having failed to land a blow in three previous attempts at this distance. The yard's modest 6% strike-rate at Perth from 357 runners adds a note of caution despite the jockey's strong 21% strike rate at the track. With an RPR of 93 he is a useful performer on his figures and his hold-up style could suit if the strong pace materialises as expected. He has no win or place from two runs on good ground.
Magic Gloves KTB Fit 55/100
Magic Gloves is a useful performer on his best figures with an RPR of 101 but has failed to build on a promising handicap debut at Musselburgh. He was well held in his final two starts last season including when tenth over C&D on his only previous run here. The wind operation is a positive though the yard's modest 8% strike rate at Perth adds to the negatives. Racing prominently fits the expected strong pace shape and the trainer and jockey show a 6/65 record together. He has no win or place from three runs on good ground.
Storm The Dug KTB Fit 52/100
Storm The Dug is a useful performer who has shown consistent form this year and ran to a solid level when second over this trip on his only previous visit to Perth. He has placed three times from four starts on good ground and arrives here off the back of a creditable runner-up effort last time out. The yard's modest 8% strike rate at the track is a negative but the horse's own course and going record offers some encouragement. His hold-up style could be well suited to the anticipated strong pace. The trainer and jockey combination shows an 8/122 record together.
The rest of the field
Breadalbane LassKTB Fit 51/100
Breadalbane Lass is a useful mare who won over this trip on good ground at this track last season and arrives in solid form after a recent fourth. She has a respectable record on good ground with one win from four starts and stays the distance well enough. The trainer's modest 6% strike-rate at Perth from a big sample is the main negative.
King KodiakKTB Fit 51/100
King Kodiak is a useful performer on his best days but has been below form this year and was well held when seventh here last time. He has a bit to find on recent efforts and has never won on good ground from five attempts. The trainer strikes at 9% here from a decent-sized sample.
KarthalaKTB Fit 48/100
Karthala is a useful performer on his figures with an RPR of 92 and has shown consistent placed form at this trip. He has been competitive on good ground without winning and the yard’s modest strike rate at Perth suggests no strong home advantage today. First run at the track leaves that side of things unknown.
StruthKTB Fit 47/100
Struth is a useful performer on his best days with an RPR of 94 but has been largely out of form this year and finished only sixth here last time. He has never won in 30 starts and has been beaten in all five attempts at this trip while showing no win or place from three runs at Perth. The yard's modest 8% strike rate at the track adds to the negatives on good ground where he has been competitive but winless from 11 starts.
Jack DempseyKTB Fit 46/100
Jack Dempsey is a useful performer on his best days but has been struggling for form lately with a string of poor runs including a pulled-up effort last time. He has shown some competitiveness on good ground and at this trip without winning and returns to a track where he has been placed but never won in three runs. The yard's modest 3% strike-rate at Perth adds a negative.
BoubouleKTB Fit 46/100
Bouboule is a useful performer on his best days with RPR and Topspeed ratings both in the low 100s. He has been placed over today's trip but is 0-5 on good ground and the trainer's modest 4% strike-rate at Perth from 27 runs is a concern. First run here adds an unknown element while the recent pulled-up effort suggests he needs to bounce back.
BlondinaKTB Fit 44/100
Blondina is a fair performer on her best days with RPRs around the mid-80s but she has been out of form for some time and her last three runs read 9P9. She steps up in trip today having shown no joy in three previous attempts at this distance while her record on good ground is a placed effort from six starts without a win. The yard has an 11% strike-rate from 28 runs at Perth.
Bray DaleKTB Fit 35/100
Bray Dale is a fair handicap chaser who has shown little spark in five runs since joining this yard and was well held when fifth on his recent return. He has failed to win or place in three runs on good ground and could only manage ninth on his sole visit to Perth. The nine-year-old has placed once at today's trip from ten attempts but remains largely exposed.
KTB verdict
Allibaba looks to have the best blend of ability and conditions in a race where the strong pace could play to his strengths. The selection has an RPR of 97, has won twice at the trip and handles good ground while the yard's record at Perth adds confidence. His hold-up style should allow him to come through late when the front-runners have done their work. Morandi Second and Storm The Dug head the list of dangers on their figures and course form while Betteryouthanme's recent promise at the track cannot be ignored.
KTB Selection Allibaba
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 05:58 UTC, 7 Jun. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Allibaba | 11/4 | 7Bet |
| Morandi Second | 15/2 | 7Bet |
| Betteryouthanme | 9/2 | 7Bet |
| Magic Gloves | 30/1 | 7Bet |
| Storm The Dug | 7/1 | 7Bet |
| Breadalbane Lass | 15/2 | 7Bet |
| King Kodiak | 35/1 | 7Bet |
| Karthala | 17/2 | 7Bet |
| Struth | 16/1 | Midnite |
| Jack Dempsey | 33/1 | Midnite |
| Bouboule | 28/1 | Midnite |
| Blondina | 4/1 | Midnite |
| Bray Dale | 70/1 | 7Bet |
This is the narrative read of the 2:42 Perth. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Perth racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is the KTB Selection and what is its Fit Score?
Allibaba is the KTB Selection with a Fit Score of 61.
How many habitual front-runners are in the field and what does this mean for the pace?
Two or more habitual front-runners are present and the pace looks strong and could collapse late, which would favour hold-up horses.
Which horse has won over course and distance on good ground?
Breadalbane Lass won over this trip on good ground at this track last season.
Which runners have course form at Perth including a placing?
Betteryouthanme was third here last month, Storm The Dug was second over this trip, and Breadalbane Lass has won here.
What is the yard strike rate at Perth for the trainer of the selection?
Adrian Paul Keatley has a 20% strike rate at Perth from 10 runs.
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