NEALE DONNELLEY previews the $5 million CAULFIELD CUP
Group 1 $5,000,000 CAULFIELD CUP. (2400m):
IF you’re looking for the ultimate example of modern-day elite racing in Australia, look no further than Saturday’s $5 million Caulfield Cup. (2400m).
If has everything racing administrators aim for these days – international participation from horses, trainers and jockeys.
Of the 18 starts, seven are international raiders that we have not seen before.
None of them have raced in Australia. Good for administrators but maybe not so good for us – the punter.
This year’s Caulfield Cup is different on a few levels, and the first change – prizemoney up from $3 to $5 million probably explains the second significant change.
In the past the international raiders have either seen the Caulfield Cup as a blip on the radar or not important enough to consider, given the Melbourne Cup with its massive prize-money has always been the target.
Now, with a $5 million carrot dangling in front of them, many of the world’s best trainers (ie: Aiden O’Brien, Saeed Bin Suroor, Ed Dunlop and Andrew Balding) are embracing the race.
And so they should.
Conducted over the classic distance of 2400-metres and run on a world-class racetrack, the Caulfield Cup, albeit a handicap, is about to embark on a trip to the top of the mountain.
This year with horses literally coming from all over the world to run, we have conflicting form-lines to try and sort out.
BEST SOLUTION, the Godolphin-owned $15 chance has won his past three starts, a Group 2 in the UK and his past two in Germany, both at Group 1 level.
Japanese raider CHESTNUT COAT ($18) has been doing his racing exclusively at home.
Two starts back he was beaten just 1.8-lengths in the Group 1 world-rated Tenno Sho so he doesn’t have to prove anything else – clearly he’s good enough!
German-bred SOUND CHECK ($21) has arrived in the country and gone straight to Mike Moroney’s Flemington stables.
All of his form is stunning and it all comes out of Germany. Wins in a Listed race then a Group 2 race were strong before his last start narrow second at Group 1 to Best Solution.
Andrew Balding’s DURETTO ($21) comes to Australia fresh off a visually impressive win in the Chester Stakes in early September.
His previous form include thirds to Marmelo and Best Solution in Group races.
Astute mentor Ed Dunlop has RED VERNON ($21) engaged, an incredibly consistent galloper at the highest level in the UK – he’s another with good enough form.
Then there is Japanese runner SOLE IMPACT ($51), who was beaten just 1.5-lengths at his latest outing in Japan in a Group 2 race. He has already won almost $2 million in stakes.
Then there’s the locals (if we can call them that) – KING’S WILL DREAM ($5.00) an Irish-bred Weir-trained stayer who has been prepared for this race in brilliant style.
Chris Waller has YOUNGSTAR ($5.50), an exciting mare who won last season’s Group 1 Queensland Oaks before flashing home when second to Winx in the Turnbull Stakes last time – now that is fabulous form!
NIGHT’S WATCH ($15) is another Weir-trained runner. This one was bred in New Zealand and has been flying coming into the race.
Liam Howley’s HOMESMAN, a UK-import for Lloyd Williams and friends, has shown enough to suggest to can race prominently and get the job done.
Stable-mate THE TAJ MAHAL ($17) goes into the Cup off the back of a stunning all-the-way win in the JRA Cup at Moonee Valley.
And that leaves ACE HIGH ($10) a locally bred son of the great High Chaparral with a runaway win last start in the Group 3 Hill Stakes in Sydney.
So, back whatever you like – I’ll be having something on YOUNGSTAR and ACE HIGH, but with great respect for many of the international runners!