Ultra-talented Victorian sprinter Trooper Tears is still considered somewhat a ‘week-to-week proposition’ after overcoming a run of more than frustrating injuries.

So, it clearly demonstrates his brilliance when he came out last week and semaphored a scintillating 29.39sec Perth Cup heat victory at Cannington.

His winning time was less than two lengths outside WA star Campini's 29.26sec track record over 520m established on January 18, 2020.

"I know at his best, he can run genuine time," his trainer, Robert Britton, said. "He showed that at Sandown in late March last year when he clocked 29.01sec in a Launching Pad semi-final.

"He runs as straight as a die, so box one is not where he wants to be."

"However, it's been a bit of a battle – in fact, a harrowing 10 months – where he's cracked two bones (hock and ulna) and fell in the (G1) Harrison-Dawson final.

"But it's nice to see him back to his best."

Britton has shown the 'patience of Job' with Trooper Tears (Apr '21 Goodsey x Freaky Tears), who was recently purchased by popular MGRA director John Hutchison. In fact, he was having his first start for him.

"You have to be patient. I was always confident he'd come back as his injuries were things that were going to heal."

Trooper Tears has drawn the coveted 'red' alley for the Group 1 Sky Racing Perth Cup final (520m) – Race 4, 11.07pm (AEST) – at Cannington on Saturday night. The race carries a $200,000 winner's purse.

However, Britton says "box one holds a few fears" for 'Tears'.

"He can be a little bit awkward in a field. You're always riding for a bit of luck with him.

"I was hoping to be drawn 'middle to off'. He runs as straight as a die, so box one is not where he wants to be."

But that hasn't deterred punters as Trooper Tears is $2.45 favourite on Sportsbet's fixed odds market.

Trooper Tears has won 13 races, with five seconds, from 25 starts and $251,463 in prizemoney. He won the 2023 G3 Launching Pad defeating his litter brother and kennelmate Trapper Tears – also owned by Hutchison, an avid show dog participant.

He'll be joined in the Perth Cup by Victorian counterparts Transponder (Box 2, $9.00), prepared by Jason Thompson, Mepunga Smokey (Box 5, $7.00) and Mepunga Shine (Box 7, $9.50) – both trained by Britton's brother, Jeff.

They were also heat winners – Mepunga Smokey (29.58sec), Mepunga Shine (29.82sec) and Transponder (29.85sec).