Preview – Gr 1 Caulfield Cup

What a horse. Came with such a rush to win the Gr 1 Melbourne Cup and a year later does exactly the same thing at WFA to win the Gr 1 Turnbull Stakes over 2000m. Now 3rd up, this looks to be the perfect prep for a race like this. Gives weight to a lot of good stayers but he ran good time last start and can go on wet tracks too. Looks back to his best and that makes him a major threat here.

Former English star who has had 4 starts in Australia and has won 2 of them brilliantly, both at stakes level. Now, this is significant. Mark Zahra has chosen to ride him. Zahra won the Melbourne Cup and the Turnbull Stakes last start on Gold Trip. That simply means this bloke, 2nd up from a spell after an eye-catching 6th to Alligator Blood in the Gr 1 Underwood over 1800m, must be considered.

Staying star visiting from Japan. Ran astonishingly fast time over 2500m to win the Gr 2 Argentina in Tokyo last year. Resumes here but has stakes form first up in his homeland over trips even longer than this. Japanese runners go well in this race so have him in your numbers.

Outstanding mare who is in career best form which was showcased when she came with a stunning finishing burst at Rosehill last start to easily and impressively claim the Gr 2 Hill Stakes over 1900m. Has won at Gr 1 level this journey and is weighted to run a huge race.

Good stayer weighted well also. Sat back with Gold Trip in WFA Gr 1 last start when 3rd up and tried to finish the race off with him but didn’t sprint home quite as hard. Never-the-less it was a good run and he meets that horse 3.5kg better. Has won over 2500m by a big margin at Gr 2 level. Have in your numbers.

For mine this bloke looks the winner. Is going to get a dream run just a length off the speed on the fence and the way he found the line after racing wide in a fast run Gr 1 Turnbull over 2000m at his Aussie debut was simply outstanding. Gold Trip roared past him late to win but he meets that horse 2kg better here. Is now more acclimatised to Aussie way too. Everything looks perfect for him.

Getting back to his best and his best was good enough to place in this race before. Got to far back in the run but came home well when 4th to Alligator Blood in the Gr 1 Caulfield Stakes last week at 2000m. Quick back up suits and may place again.

Keep a watchful eye on this bloke. He is a very good stayer. Last start ground away well at WFA in the Gr 1 Turnbull behind Gold Trip when 3rd. Can stay all day. Meets Gold trip 3kg better here and is now super fit.

Quality European who likes it wet. Made good, eye-catching ground last start when rushing home with Gold Trip from the back in the Gr 1 Turnbull. Didn’t quite matcvh motors with him in the last 100m but was strong none-the-less running 6th. Grabs 3rd in two more strides. Has won this journey in Europe and there is a touch of the x-factor about him.

Good stayer from England now with Gai and Adrian. Led under 59kg and only Montefilia ran him down last start in fast run Gr 2 Hill Stakes over 1900m. Extra 500m is a concern at this level but did run 12th in the Melbourne Cup last year at Aussie debut. Will be on speed for a long way.

Good, solid stayer now ready to peak. Did win the Mornington Cup in fast time this trip last prep under 58kg. This is stronger and last start in the Gr 1 Turnbull was beaten 8 lengths by his stablemate Gold trip. Meets him 3kg better but still needs to lift.

Has won this trip at good level but recent runs have been poor. Not expected to trouble the best here.

Doesn’t seem to have come up this prep. Six months ago looked a genuine Melbourne Cup prospect as he was leading and winning easily. Will go forward from this horrible gate, but his own stablemate Hoo Ya Mal may cause him to come unstuck as he will lead these.

Another Irish horse. Races well in restricted races and as such, while he can stay may find these a bit sharp late. Is very fit though and a lightweight place show as he did win a low key hcp at adcot this trip in fast time under 61kg.

Ran home strongly when 2nd in the Gr 1 Qld Derby this trip earlier this year but 3 subsequent runs have been poor. Not keen.

Plodder with light weight but just gets too far back and doesn’t finish hard enough at this level. Loves it wet so that’s his only chance.

Likes to be on speed and can stay. With no weight on his back that makes him a rough show here. Led and fought on very gamely when 2nd in the Gr 1 Metrop recently over 2400m. They ran a race record that day and he drops a further 2.5kg here.

Interesting runner. Is from Ireland and has only had 7 starts, with just one win at maiden grade. Did recently run 2nd to the Melb Cup fav Vauban at Naas but did carry 5kg less than him that day. Likes it wet and can stay but the quality fo this year’s field should find him out.

Handy emerging stayer who ran career best race last start when game 2nd in the Gr 2 Herbert Power over this trip here in handy time. This is a few lengths better though.