Good day punters spring racing is here with the running of the BMW Caulfield Cup on Saturday. The Form guide that sits in the paper disregarded in the AFL Season is now on the table instead of the bin.
In recent years the Caulfield Cup has been of somewhat a sub-standard race with the field often having very few quality gallopers, However this year’s edition is somewhat the Exception. With 12 Group 1 winners from around the globe to take place. Now to take a look at the field.
1 AMERICAIN (USA) Jockey: Gerald Mosse Trainer: Alain De Royer Dupre Barrier: 19 Weight: 58kgs
The French stallion has done it all before embarking on his 3rd Melbourne Spring Carnival. This year he’s form on paper has been modest running 3rd Australian Cup, 2nd BMW and 6th Queen Elizabeth Stakes in Australia, At his latest run he was 6th at Deauville, France in the Kergolay. He had a stint here with David Hayes in the autumn but was sent back home after seemingly disappointing performances, in no way I’m a trying to talk you out of him he is a definite threat. He is the 2010 Melbourne Cup Winner and Won the Zipping Classic over this distance last November beating Manighar. Only query is the tight turning Caulfield track which for a big horse like him could be a real disadvantage. The top-weight will not bother him in the slightest as he is a genuine Handicap horse, overall at $21 you got to have something each-way.
2 DUNADEN (FR) Jockey: Craig Williams Trainer: Mikel Delzangles Barrier: 22 Weight: 58kgs
Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner has only improved this Year stamping himself as a Quality Performer all across the globe by winning the Hong Kong International Vase. He’s last run in the King George at Royal Ascot running 6th was his worst performance this season but by all reports he has settled into Werribee’s International Training Centre quite well impressing many in his gallops including his rider Craig Williams who thinks he is a better horse than last year, If that is the case then I can’t see him finishing outside of the top 3 though the Caulfield Track and Barrier 22 are concerns. In summary Dunaden is a top 4 player here and at $6 warrants a lot of respect.
3 JAKKALBERRY (ITL) Jockey: Colm O’Donoghue Trainer: Marco Botti Barrier: 13 Weight: 55.5kgs
Australian Owned Italian Horse who has his first run in our great land on Saturday. He’s form is very good last start he won the Arlington St Ledger in the US but I have a lot of concerns for him first off he has been sent here for the Melbourne Cup often these European horses run an eye catching 8th in this race and then go to the Melbourne Cup were they are highly competitive, This Horse Jakkalberry fits into that boat. Point 2 Colm O’Donoghue will have his first ride on Saturday at Caulfield with no rides before this race; it is a hard track to master for an Australian Jockey let alone a foreign one. Point 3 on two occasions Dunaden has thrashed him and I can’t see him turning the tables here at $17 he obviously has some support but for me just wait for that 1st Tuesday in November.
4 WINCHESTER (USA) Jockey: Jamie Mott Trainer: John Sadler Barrier: 16 Weight: 55.5kgs
Former American Import having his 3rd run here in Australia and should be at peak fitness now. He’s last 2 runs both 9th’s have been encouraging without being a threat to the winners. Winchester’s run in the Underwood Stakes here was a cracker coming from the back charging home. With a good stable and Jockey who deserves a good ride in Jamie Mott, at $34 he is definitely not the worst of the field, each-way chance.
5 DECEMBER DRAW (GB) Jockey: Michael Rodd Trainer: Mark Kavanagh Barrier: 12 Weight: 55.5kg
Last year’s Caulfield Cup favourite who sustained an injury during the run since then has been ultra-consistent running 8th Makybe Diva, 3rd Underwood and 3rd in the Turnbull Stakes. On each run he has just got better and you’d think 4th up would be at his peak for this. No real concerns for me, considering he gets the 2400m, which you think he would. At second favourite $6.50 he is well worth his spot in your top 4, Could be the winner to my eye.
6 VOILA ICI (ITL) Jockey: Vlad Duric Trainer: Peter Moody Barrier: 17 Weight: 55kg
The almost white stallion Voila Ici has been in fantastic form for this after coming to Australia. Last 2 his run 2nd Underwood and 4th in the Turnbull Stakes, 4th up here and looks like the 2400m on top of the speed should suit. If any concern could be his Behaviour before the start being a stallion, the big crowd could have a horrible effect on him missing the start or being frantic in the barriers and have to come from behind like Glass Harmonium in the 2011 Cox Plate, Though at the $21 he’s worth the risk I think and has to be in trifecta’s and exactas.
7 SOUTHERN SPEED Jock: Nash Rawiller Trainer: Leon MacDonald & Andrew Gluyas B:14 W:54.5kgs
2011 Winner who looks for back to back Caulfield Cup’s here. Form has been really good until her last run when Glen Boss thought she came back lame when she beat one runner home into 15th in the Turnbull Stakes. Take that run out and she’s a real big chance for the double. Nash Rawiller aboard is only a positive and that ridiculous quote of $21 she’s a contender have something each-way.
8 SANAGAS (GER) Jock: Nick Hall Trainer: Bart Cummings Barrier: 3 Weight: 54kgs
Australian trained German who raced in America here on the cups trail. Form over in America was pretty good but here he has been disappointing failing to figure in any of his 3 runs all at Caulfield. Last start he pulled in the early stages and was boxed in at a crucial stage of the race in saying that he never looked comfortable straightening and didn’t make hardly any ground running last of the 6 in the Caulfield Stakes. On what he’s doing here there is No way you could make a case for him but He is trained by Bart Cummings a legend who knows how to win this race so you never know, though the $51 quote definitely suits.
9 GLENCADAM GOLD (IRE) Jock: Jimmy Cassidy Trainer: Gai Waterhouse Barrier: 21 Weight: 53.5kgs
Favourite for this year’s running of the Caulfield Cup. Has had 4 starts for Gai for 4 wins including the Metropolitan at Group 1 level. On paper looks the one to beat but don’t get sucked in yet at $4.50! He’s one every start the Sydney way of going, Against the lesser opposition and with little or no pressure up front. On Saturday he will not get things his own way and jumps from the 2nd outside barrier in 21 which will become 17 meaning he will need to do a bit of work from the car park. In my eyes he will look the winner in the straight before dying on his run tiring to 8th or thereabouts at the $4.50 I don’t think he’s worth the risk.
10 MY QUEST FOR PEACE (IRE) Jock: Corey Brown Trainer: Luca Cumani Barrier: 2 Weight: 53.5kgs
Irish stayer owned by the OTI Racing team having his 1st run here. Quality galloper in Europe and has run in some good races including the Hardwicke Stakes and Jockey Club Cup. Won his last 2 races before coming here and beat Gatewood in one. Without knowing too much about him, I would think he would run well and be in the finish without really knowing where. Definite place bet can’t see him winning though $11 chance.
11 NIWOT Jock: Dwayne Dunn Trainer: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Barrier: 6 Weight: 53.5kgs
Tough stayer, whom goes around in the BMW Caulfield Cup for a second time. Latest 2 runs have been sound over shorter distances including 8th in the Turnbull Stakes where he was hitting the line hard. Last year he was ridden more on top of the speed whereas this year he has been taught to settle and find the line. He is a Sydney Cup and Hotham Handicap winner who started favourite in Last year’s Melbourne Cup. The stable is in good form after winning last week’s Caulfield Guineas and I think they can feature here with Niwot at $34 he’s a good place chance and has to be in the mix.
12 LIGHTS OF HEAVEN (NZ) Jock: Luke Nolen Trainer: Peter Moody Barrier: 8 Weight: 53kgs
Good quality mare that’s last run in the Hill Stakes was really good finishing 3rd before that was a bit indifferent running 2 below standard races in the Chelmsford and Warwick stakes. Is A Brisbane Cup winner this trip and has done nothing wrong to suggest she can’t win this. Trained on track and does know how to win. At $9 she is a winning chance.
13 SECRET ADMIRER Jock: Brenton Avdulla Trainer: Graeme Begg Barrier: 11 Weight: 53kgs
Multiple Group 1 winning mare having her first crack at this distance. Latest runs have been over substantially shorter trips in saying that though she has been good running a close up 2nd Chelmsford, 3rd George Main and 5th in the Epsom Handicap. Jockey back on who rides her well and with a lot of speed up front she will be able to come home hard the real big question is will she see the trip out? Well her runs at 2000m have shown she comes home pretty hard and I don’t think it will phase her too much in saying that I don’t think she’ll have her customary dash required to win the Caulfield Cup and at $21 , I think that there are many more in front of her.
14 SNEAK A PEEK (ITY) Jock: Glen Boss Trainer: Peter Moody Barrier: 10 Weight: 53kgs
Intriguing runner of the field who has been racing well with no luck of recent times and has never really had the chance to show us how good he actually is. Moody thinks he can run well and I tend to agree with him here. His last run in the Turnbull when 7th he just kept finding trouble and should have finished a lot closer in saying that the Caulfield Cup always has a few hard luck stories and I think he will be one finishing about 8th to 12th with no luck. I think it’s all a bit too soon for this horse one for Next Year.
15 ALCOPOP Jock: Dom Tournuer Trainer: Jake Stephens Barrier: 9 Weight: 52.5kgs
Tough old South Australian who lines up for his 2nd attempt in the BMW Caulfield Cup. If last week you said to me Alcopop was a genuine Caulfield Cup chance , I would have looked at you and thought what is he smoking. The Old Legs just didn’t look like winning another group race again and after a 7th in the JRA Cup I thought he’s best days were over wrong last week he served it up to Ocean Park and Sincero by splitting them in the Caulfield Stakes he’s run a really good trial for this, I know he’s done it all before and failed but that was on a wet track with a bad ride. At $15 he is right in this and could look the winner in the straight.
16 MOUDRE Jock: Kerrin McEvoy Trainer: Ciaron Maher Barrier: 5 Weight: 52.5kgs
Injury Plagued galloper who lines up for his first Caulfield Cup. 1ST up was terrific in the Makybe Diva coming from near last to rattle home for 3rd on that you thought he would be a huge show in this but last start he was dismal running last in the Turnbull beaten 8.5 lengths. If he got back to his form of the 2010 spring he would be highly competitive just not sure what Moudre will turn up. Inclined to risk here at the $34.
17 FOLDING GEAR (NZ) Jock: Ben Melham Trainer: Lee & Shannon Hope B: 4 Weight: 52kgs
Ever improving gelding who loves this track winning the Autumn Classic, Easter Cup and Naturalism Stakes here. First 2 runs were very average for his standards but hit back with a commanding win in the Naturalism Stakes coming from behind. Only query is the 2400m and the class include in trifecta’s though at the $21.
18 ZABEELIONIARE (NZ) Jock: Craig Newitt Trainer: Leon Corstens Barrier: 1 Weight: 52kgs
One of the 2 4yo’s here, Latest runs have been fair without threatening 9th Underwood, 14th Turnbull, Is now looking for the 2400 and does race well here but would have to improve to trouble these at the $26.
EM1 19 SABRAGE Jock: Clare Lindop Trainer: Mike Moroney Barrier: 20 Weight: 51kgs
The other 4yo here, Latest runs have been sound 5th JRA Cup, 5th Caulfield Stakes will roll forward if he gains a start but he is $151 for a reason and looks well outclassed here.
EM2 GATEWOOD (GB) Jock: Unknown Trainer: John Gosden Barrier: 18 Weight: 51.5kgs
International who if gets a start will be extremely competitive, Last start was blocked for runs everywhere in the start and was extremely unlucky running 11th. Michael Walker looks to be the front runner for the ride.
EM3 IBICENCO (GER) Jock: Unknown Trainer: Luca Cumani Barrier: 15 Weight: 51.5kgs
Unlikely to get a run and is going to the Moonee Valley Cup.
EM4 FICTIONAL ACCOUNT (IRE) Jock: Unknown Trainer: David Hayes Barrier: 7 Weight: 50kgs
Even if did get run would be making up the numbers at $201 as 4th emergency got minimal chances of running or winning.
BACK, SACK AND CRACK FILE FOR ALL RACES
R1: Back 5 A TIME FOR JULIA Sack 2 REAL STOLLE Crack 1 VILLA SPLENDIDO
R2: Back 1 PRONTO PRONTO Sack 5 MAGNIER Crack 2 DAYTONA GREY
R3: Back 1 KABAYAN Sack 2 JIMANDO Crack 3 PHILLIPI
R4: Back 3 CAMEO Sack 1 DONNA CATTIVA Crack 2 TRANSONIC
R5: Back 5 KINGS ROSE Sack 6 AMAH ROCK Crack 1 TORIO’S QUEST
R6: Back 6 FREERETURN Sack 7 HOWMUCHDOYOULOVEME Crack 2 GREEN BIRDIE
R7: Back 5 LIGHTINTHENITE Sack 2 BAGMAN Crack 3 EXTRA ZERO
R8: Back 5 DECEMBER DRAW Sack 9 GLENCADAM GOLD Crack 3 JAKKALBERRY
R9: Back 1 MOSHEEN Sack 11 SOFT SAND Crack 3 PEAR TART
R10: Back 2 LADY MELKSHAM Sack 3 MRS ONASSIS Crack 6 GLOWS
BEST BET OF THE DAY
R5 5 KINGS ROSE why?
Ultra consistent mare in a pretty weak Moonga Stakes will be too classy on the way to the Emirates and Myer Classic.
NEXT BEST
R7 5 LIGHTINTHENITE why?
Racing really well and is looking for 2000m now in a bad edition of the David Jones C up and should be too good.
