Horse Racing
Season
Caulfield Cup – Form Comments
G1 – 2400m – Turf
| 1 | Humidor | Came from last in commanding 3.25 lengths win from Hartnell in G1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on 16 September. Then did not display same dash when 7.25 lengths 3rd to Winx in G1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on 7 October but the champion mare Winx not among rivals here. Beaten 6.5 lengths into second place behind Jameka in G1 BMW at most recent 2400m run but that was on heavy ground. Has performed all track conditions but best suited on good ground. |
| 2 | Marmelo | Hughie Morrison trained UK runner who hasn’t raced since strong on-pace win, by 1.3 lengths from Desert Skyline, in the G2 Prix Kergorlay (3000m) at Deauville on 20 August. Dunaden and Americain came via that race to perform well in Melbourne Cups. Two wins, bar his maiden, have been at 3000 metres and the Melbourne Cup might be more his race but cannot rule out of contention. Likes to race on speed. Won his maiden on soft track but looks to be best on good ground. Reported to be thriving in training quarantine at Werribee. |
| 3 | Johannes Vermeer | Aidan O’Brien trained son of Galileo who took the eye with strong finishing head second to Gailo Chop in G1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at this track last Saturday. Arguably unlucky not to have won that race. That followed 0.5 lengths 2nd to Spanish Steps in G3 Ballyroan Stakes, at this distance, at Leopardstown (Ireland) on 10 August. Capable all conditions and can be ridden forward or back. |
| 4 | Jon Snow | Sound on-pace performance when 2.7 lengths 3rd to Gailo Chop in G1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at this track last Saturday. That followed G3 JRA Cup (2040m) win at Moonee Valley. Won the ATC Derby and placed in New Zealand Derby at only two runs at 2400m. Races on the pace. Capable all conditions but relishes rain affected ground. |
| 5 | He’s Our Rokkii | Disappointed this campaign with four unplaced runs. Backs up from last Saturday when 3.7 lengths 8th to Classic Uniform in G3 Craven Plate (2000m) at Randwick. Group 1 winner at 1600 metres and has been successful up to 2000 metres. Unknown this distance. Usually races just behind the speed. Rain affected ground would help. |
| 6 | Sir Isaac Newton | Raced on speed but faded when 11.25 lengths 5th to champion mare Winx in G1 Turnbull Stales (2000m) at Flemington on 7 October. Wasn’t disgraced when 6.5 lengths 7th to Jameka in this race last year. Two stakes wins in UK were at 2000m on soft ground and give in the track would improve chance. Can be ridden forward or back. |
| 7 | Ventura Storm | Import who has progressed very well in three spring runs for new trainer David Hayes. Chased well enough when 6.5 lengths 2nd to Winx in G1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on 7 October. Won three stakes races from 2200m to 2500m on good and soft ground in Europe last year and was also runner-up in the St. Leger at Doncaster. Capable all conditions. Has been ridden off the pace in recent runs but capable of being handier at this distance. |
| 8 | Wicklow Brave | Winner of ten flat and hurdle races at 2800 metres and beyond, on good and soft ground, in Ireland. Failed in last year’s Melbourne Cup, on good ground, when 22nd of 24 runners but back for another try. Not raced since September when 14.5 lengths 4th to Order Of St George in G1 Irish St Leger (2800m) at the Curragh. Past seven wins have been on soft ground and may need those conditions to threaten here. Unbeaten in four starts on heavy tracks. Can race handy. |
| 9 | Inference | Building nicely towards this race. Backs up from last Saturday when closing 4 lengths 5th to Gailo Chop in the G1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at this track. Placed in the 2500m Victoria Derby last year at one of two runs in this distance range. Generally ridden back in the field. Capable all conditions but some give in the ground would be an advantage. Three of four wins have come on soft and heavy ground. |
| 10 | Single Gaze | Raced handy and battled on well when 2.8 lengths 4th to Gailo Chop in G1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at this track last Saturday. Fell at only previous attempt this distance but has won up to 2200m. Likes to race on the speed and capable all conditions. |
| 11 | Bonneval | Had won six races straight before last Saturday when 4.1 lengths 6th to Gailo Chop in the G1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at this track. That followed G1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) win when beat Hartnell and Gailo Chop. Unbeaten in two runs at this distance, both on soft ground. Strong finisher who is capable all track conditions and expected improvement on last week’s run when settled too far back. |
| 12 | Hardham | Conceded eight pounds to promising winner when 1.75 lengths 2nd to Wheal Lesiure in Inglis Cup Handicap (2000m) at Caulfield on 1 October. Ran 0.9 lengths 3rd to Jon Snow in ATC Derby at only previous attempt this distance. Likely to settle just off the speed and while his wins have come on good ground, he’s not hopeless on soft tracks. |
| 13 | Boom Time | Battled on well when 2.4 lengths 4th to Lord Fandango in G2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at this track last Saturday. Drops in weight and has longshot chance. Usually races handy to the speed and best form is on good rated tracks. |
| 14 | Abbey Marie | Did best work late when 4.75 lengths 8th to Gailo Chop in G1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at this track last Saturday. Untried beyond 2000m at which she won G1 Australasian Oaks. Her sister Absolutely won ATC Oaks at this distance. Settles back in the field. Best form on dry tracks. |
| 15 | Harlem | Won two races in France at this distance before export to Australia. Had the run of the race but was impressive when 3.25 lengths winner from Samovare in G3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at this track on 23 September. Then 3.85 lengths 5th to Amelie’s Star in the G3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on 7 October. Usually races handy and best form on good ground. |
| 16 | Amelie’s Star | Finished strongly when two lengths winner from Granddukeoftuscany in G3 Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on 7 October. Peaking at right time and unbeaten in three starts at 2400m and 2500m. Likely to race handy to the speed and capable all conditions. |
| 17 | Lord Fandango | Secured place in field with strong one length win over Wall Of Fire in G2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at this track last Saturday. Improving stayer whose past three runs have been his career best. Strong finisher whose best form has been on good ground but has had little exposure to rain affected tracks. |
Others
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