Caulfield Cup favourite Smokin’ Romans has drawn ideally in barrier five to give Jamie Kah her first win in one the Melbourne Spring Carnival features.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained galloper remains a clear-cut favourite for Saturday’s 2400m handicap at $4.80 with TAB.
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Smokin’ Romans enters Saturday’s race off wins in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) and the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) and drops to 51.5kg on Saturday.
In contrast, second favourite Benaud, drifted slightly from $8 to $8.50 after drawing the extreme outside barrier with his John O’Shea-trained stablemate Maximal also drawing poorly in 19 in the final field of 20 which was announced on Wednesday.
Those two horses will come into barriers 17 and 18 as the field capacity is only 18 while Durston (barrier 6) and Makram (7) are the two emergencies.
Nonconformist sits as the third favourite at $10 with Gold Trip next pick at $11.
Maher and Eustace will also be represented by Gold Trip in Saturday’s race which will be ridden by Mark Zahra.
Gold Trip drew barrier 12 which Zahra said was ideal given the wet nature of the Caulfield circuit.
“It’s perfect really,” Zahra said.
“I’m not sure with this rain about what difference barriers will make, but on face value I’m pretty happy with 12.
“It’s not wetter the better but I wouldn’t like to be heading in on a good track, but a (Soft) 6 or 7 is perfect for him and any more would be a bonus.”
The Caulfield track was drenched on Wednesday, going from a Good 4 at the start of the day, pushing into the heavy range later in the day.
Heavy rain is forecast in Melbourne on Thursday with the weather fining up ahead of Saturday’s meeting.