Aidan O’Brien – arguably the world’s most successful trainer – is a quick learner.
A year ago the Ballydoyle stable’s Johannes Vermeer finished a desperately unlucky third behind Boom Time in the Caulfield Cup.
This time around O’Brien’s representative is the even better credentialed The Cliffsofmoher.
Significantly he defeated Herbert Power Handicap winner Yucatan in a Gr.2 over 2012 at Naas, in Ireland, in May before a second in a Gr.1 over 2112m at The Curragh and a fourth in the Gr.1 Prince of Wales Stakes (2012m) at Ascot on June 20.
Then just three days later he was a pleasing third in the Gr.2 Hardwicke Stakes (2400m) at Ascot so backing up after running in the Gr.1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) last Saturday should not be a problem.
Making his Australia debut The Cliffsofmoher, who was having his first outing in 14 weeks, rattled home to finish a close-up fourth.
Added to that he has drawn ideally in gate No.3 and will have the services of Hugh Bowman, who is considered to be one of the world’s best jockeys.
The logical threat to The Cliffsofmoher is the four-year-old Chris Waller-trained Youngstar, who will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy.
The winner of the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Doomben in May Youngstar has progressed in each of her three outings in this preparation.
She produced a gallant effort at her last outing when only caught in the last few strides by the champion mare Winx in the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington two weeks ago.
She finished O.75 lengths in front of King’s Will Dream, who has an undeniable chance.
Brought to Australia after only winning a maiden in England, King’s Will Dream has improved in leaps-and-bounds since coming under Darren Weir’s care.
He won five races in succession in the early part of the year culminating in a victory in the Listed Mornington Cup (2000m), which earned him his place in the Cup field.
Each of his lead-up races has been at weight-for-age and like Youngstar he has been on an upward spiral all the way through.
The Japanese entry Chestnut Coat has claims on his four convincing wins from 1800m to 2400m.
He had excuses for his last start failure at Tokyo in May, but at his previous two appearances Chestnut Coat has shown himself as a classy performer with a second in the Gr.2 Nikkei Sho over 2500m at Nakayama and a fifth in the prestigious Gr.1 Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) at Kyoto.
He has drawn out in gate No.13 but that will not unduly worry his rider Yuga Kawada as he is likely to drop back in the field in the initial stages.
Godolphin’s Best Solution, who will carry the No.1 saddlecloth, also must be respected.
After scoring at Newmarket he landed two successive Gr.1s in Germany featuring the Preis von Baden (2400m).
In each of those outings he was ridden by Pat Cosgrave, who will have his work cut out for him after Best Solution drew gate No.17.
There is no discounting the hopes of the David Payne-trained Ace High, who won the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) last spring and was just beaten into second place in the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) in the autumn.
At his most recent start Ace High won the Hill Stakes (2000m) in dashing style so he is obviously on target for this assignment.
Although his regular rider Tye Angland is under suspension his replacement is Damien Oliver, who has won four Caulfield Cups so he knows what the race is all about.
Another notable is Red Verdon, whose trained Ed Dunlop prepared the three-time Melbourne Cup second placegetter Red Cadeaux.
Red Verdon’s second in the Hardwicke is a solid recommendation and the engagement of Hong Kong-based Zac Purton for the ride is a sign of confidence.
Selections:
- The Cliffsofmoher (2)
- Youngstar (18)
- Kings Will Dream (14)
- Chestnut Coat (3)
