Gr 1 – Caulfield Cup Preview

Solid stayer who has winning Gr 1 form this trip and is 4th up here. Drawn perfectly but was beaten 8 lengths by Eliyass 2 starts back and last start was 9 lengths behind Deny Knowledge and meets both of them many kilos worse off. Not keen.

Is racing in career-best form and does look the one to beat. Made charge with 300m to go along with the star Via Sistina and they went stride for stride to claim the Gr 1 Turnbull over 2000m last start. She got the bob in. He’s an 1800m Gr 1 winner who has placed at Gr 1 level over 2000m and his only 2400m go was at Gr 1 level when just missed a place. Has the magic man on top so if he gets a good run he can out-kick these late.

Good stayer who can run all day and is 3rd up. Beaten by Via Sistina in the 2000m Gr 1 Underwood last start by 6 lengths but was making ground late. Is the defending Gr 1 Sydney Cup winner over 3200m and will appreciate this trip. Won 3rd up last campaign and is 3rd up here. Has place claims.

Quality Gr 2 level stayer from Japan who you know will be right in this despite the horror draw. Beaten just 4 lengths last start over 3200m at Gr 1 level and they ran it in supersonic time. I think if he gets in and finds cover that he’s a big player.

Terrific run when resuming coming from last when a great and eye-catching 2nd to Buckaroo at Gr 1 level in the 12800m Underwood then didn’t fire a shot behind Via Sistina. Has won at this trip but is too inconsistent to be enthused about.

Terrific Gr 1 winning stayer who likes this trip and can run on wet tracks too. Raced away to win the Gr 1 Qld Derby this trip by 10 lengths. Previously had sat back near last before flying home when 2nd in the Gr 1 SA Derby this trip. This is much harder but he can stay and is 3rd up. No surprise to see him be in this finish.

Seems to have grown a leg since coming to race in Australia. For instance, has started 4 times in OZ, all in stakes races and has won 3 of them, before a great 3rd to Via Sistina and Buckaroo in the Gr 1 Turnbull over 2000m. Hasn’t ever raced at this distance and did get run over late last start by Buckaroo who he meets 1kg worse off. Knows how to win though.

Another who has gone from strength to strength since coming to race in Australia after previously campaigning in France. Has now won two stakes races, latest when a narrow head-bob winner of the Gr 1 Metrop this trip beating Zardozi. Ran fast time that day and has drawn the fence here. Must be considered.

Such a good horse who has his foot on the till. Won’t know himself with this lightweight but he’ll need it as he has struggled over the final 200m every time he has been at this trip. Gr 1 level horse up to about 2000m. Last start ran on well when 5th in Gr 1 behind Via Sistina. Has claims.

Speed horse who likes to lead. Led with 61kg and grabbed late to just miss behind Young Werther when resuming. Then led and not far away when 4th to Buckaroo at Gr 1 level before again leading last start and 4th, beaten 2 lengths by Via Sistina. Is fitter now and has no weight. Probably doesn’t lead Deny Knowledge but will be in the firing line all the way.

Never won at this trip and isn’t racing well enough to bother any of these.

SCRATCHED

Gutsy, tough talented mare who has won up to 2500m and placed at Gr 1 level a couple of times this trip. Beaten a nostril last start by Land Legend in the Gr 1 Metrop over 2400m. Is in form and is super fit. Likes it wet too. Big danger.

Top class staying mare who was 3rd in Gr 1 Australasian Oaks over 2000m then backed up and won the 2500m SA Derby at Gr 1 level. The 3 runs this time up have been solid including a good 5th in the Gr 1 Caulfield Stks over 2000m last start behind Deny Knowledge. Was beaten 6 lengths in fast time. Drops 5kg in weight and is fitter now.

Looks very, very hard to beat. Has improved so much since transferring to Team Freedman’s yard and last start she ran time to spank Mr Bightside’s bum over 2000m. The obvious increase in trip is a worry but she ran time last start and drops 7kg. She will lead and may just do a Pride Of Jenni and get too far in front to be caught.

Is 3rd up here from 2 unimpressive runs, but was 6th in this race last year. Prefers this trip but still not keen.

Drawn to find herself in a nice spot and is very fit. Narrow 2000m Gr 3 winner before a solid run when beaten 2 lengths last start over 2520m. Drops in weight and can stay so has claims.

This is the dark horse. Is fit and was 5th in the English Derby 2 start back. Has only won the one race, and that was at a mile, but can stay all day and is thrown in here at the weights. Drawn perfectly too. Could very well be a world class stayer and if so, could make a mess of these if he’s on.

Good stayer who is improving every run and is on the quick back-up here after making a lot of ground last start when 3rd to Herman Hesse over 2400m. Could sneak a place at big odds as he is tough and has drawn very well.

Good, consistent stayer who ran boldly when close-up 4th over 2520m in easier race last start. The grade here and poor gate will test.

SCRATCHED