UK trainer Harry Charlton made his way directly to Werribee upon his arrival in Australia to inspect his Caulfield Cup contender, Wine Dark Sea.
This campaign marks Wine Dark Sea’s debut run in Australia under Charlton’s training, though he has benefited from advice from his brother Tom, who co-trains with John O’Shea in Sydney.
With Wine Dark Sea scheduled to compete in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) this Saturday, and having not seen the stayer since its departure from the UK over two weeks prior, Charlton expressed his satisfaction with the horse’s condition at Werribee racecourse on Friday, where the stayer has been prepared for the event.
“I just landed this morning, and he looks in great shape,” Charlton commented. “He’s still got his summer coat, which is not easy to achieve. I see a few of Joseph’s (O’Brien) came down yesterday and had been clipped. Alex (his groom) has done a great job with him. He’s been coming back late at night to change his rugs over and keep him warm.”
Charlton’s inaugural trip to Australia means a potential victory for Wine Dark Sea on Saturday would be exceptionally meaningful.
“I didn’t know it was the 150th year before coming down, so that makes it even more special,” Charlton stated. “I’m pleased to be here, and I’m pleased the horse has made it through all the processes to be here and in the field. He’s facing a big field and a wide draw, but that’s part and parcel of Australian racing.”
Wine Dark Sea is set to start from barrier 16, provided no emergencies gain a start. Charlton indicated that while not ideal, this draw is preferable to being too close to the rails.
The gelding will also need to navigate the Caulfield track and its pronounced turning nature, a characteristic the stayer is not accustomed to from its UK racing background.
Damian Lane, who claimed the Caulfield Cup in 2019 with Mer De Glace, is booked to ride Wine Dark Sea and has visited Werribee to get acquainted with the gelding.
“I think I would rather be drawn wider than in the bottom four, but then I would rather be between six and 12 than 12 and 18,” Charlton revealed. “It’s possibly not ideal but the good news is, he is a horse that is here for two races. He races over a mile six (2800m) at home, so the Melbourne Cup is also something that we are looking forward to. If the draw beats us tomorrow, hopefully it leaves us in good stead for the Melbourne Cup, and he gets a better draw that day. Damian does not seem particularly worried by it. He’s a horse that does jump well from the gate and reacts nicely when you ask him. Running that 2400 (metres) from that wide draw will bring a little bit more speed into it and the tracks here are much tighter and they turn a lot more, but I am encouraged by how Damian said he handled the track at Werribee. I thought Werribee would be a bit tight for him. It is not the way we train horses, turning every two furlongs, but he said he changed his lead at every bend, so that gives me a bit more confidence.”
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