FEATURE PREVIEWS: CAULFIELD CUP

TRACK: Caulfield | DISTANCE: 2400 | RAIL POSITION: 3M | TRACK CONDITIONS: GOOD 4 | PRIZE MONEY: $5,000,000

• • 4yo (3/48), 5yo (4/71), 6yo (3/59), 7yo (4/48), 8yo+ (0/23)
  • Average Prizemoney $100K+ (6/29)
  • Barrier 1-9 (8/126), 10-18 (6/123)
  • Days To Last Start 7 (2/39), 13-14 (7/142), 15-22 (0/13), 28+ (5/51)
  • Career Starts 7-15 (3/80), 16-29 (9/126), 30+ (2/43)
  • 1st up (4/38), 2nd up (1/9), 3rd up (1/41), 4th up (3/92), 5th up (2/47), 6th up (2/15), 7th+ up (1/7)
  • Pace (1/31), Handy (6/50), Midfield (4/91), Back (3/73)
  • Last Start Distance 2000 (8/132), 2400 (4/52), Other (2/54)
  • Geldings (5/132), Entires (6/79), Mares (3/38)
  • Tab Number 1-2 (5/27), 3-7 (3/52), 8-13 (3/78), 14-22 (2/78)
  • Jockey Rating 0.75 (3/6)
  • Jockey Rating 3+ (1/48), Trainer Rating 3+ (1/58), Jockey+Trainer 6+ (0/27), 4+ (5/173)
  • Same Jockey As Last Start No (7/170), Yes (7/79)
  • Weight 50kg-54.5 (5/171), 55kg+ (9/78)
  • Last Start Finishing Position 1-6 (13/171), 7+ (1/78)
  • Second Last Start Finishing Position 1-5 (14/163), 6+ (0/86)
  • Last Start Class G1 (12/54), G2 (1/35), G3 (1/43), Other (0/17)
  • Second Last Start Class G1,G2,G3 (14/216), Other (0/33)
  • Last Start Overseas (4/43), VIC (9/163), NSW (1/43)
  • CR1-7 (10/84), CR60+ (10/104), SR1-2 (6/28), SR100+ (12/192), OHR1-3 (7/42), OHR100+ (13/219), API1-7 (11/98), Win%1-5 (8/70), IR1-3 (8/42), IR$3-$9 (7/29), IR$10-$18 (5/79), PKD1 (3/14), PKD1-6 (6/84), PKD110+ (8/113), RVR1-2 (6/28), RVR1-10 (13/140), RVR90+ (3/6), L1-4 (8/56), LWD 3-15 (7/73), LWD3-25 (11/134), Jockey+Trainer 1.5-3.75 (9/76)
  • 4-5YO Mare (3), 4-7YO Entire (6), 5-7YO Gelding (5)
  • 4 overseas trained imports have won – 2 from Europe, 2 from Japan. They have all been at odds between $8-$14. They’ve also run 4 2nds and 5 3rds, making up 13 of the 42 1st 3 home.
  • Locally trained horses generally need to be 4th up, 5th up or 6th up, unless they have had a prep in QLD where they have won 2nd up and 3rd up. European/overseas style trained horses can be 1st up/2nd up.

  trained horses can be 1st up/2nd up.
  

Above average tempo expected here with River Of Stars & Bankers Choice setting the speed.
Deakin, Adelaide River, Revelare, Plymouth, Golden Snap & Meydaan jostle for handy/midfield positions.
Half Yours, Royal Supremacy, Vauban, Absurde & Presage Nocturne settle worse than midfield.
Birdman, Zardozi, Valiant King, Land Legend & Middle Earth out the back.

1. Vauban  – Has had two 2400m runs in Australia and arguably could have won both, when 3rd beaten 1.5L in the G1 Tancred behind Dubai Honour and then 5th beaten 1.5L in the G1 Metropolitan. Class stayer who can certainly win here.

2. Presage Nocturne  – Has a G3 win and G1 and G2 placings in France in his last 3 starts. That form often holds up. Has won over 2500m. Only beaten 0.4L in the G2 Prix Kergolay last start, a race that both Americain & Protectionist won before winning Melbourne Cups. Can surprise but more a Melbourne Cup type.

3. Middle Earth  – Has high rating European runs. Finally gets to 2400m in Australia.

4. Meydaan  – Trained and owned by the same connections as West Wind Blows (2nd beaten a head in the 2023 Caulfield Cup) and Without A Fight who won a Melbourne Cup for Freedman. Ran a close 3rd to Giavellotto & Kalpana last start which is top quality staying form. Does want the cut out of the ground.

5. Absurde  – Has raced creditably in the Melbourne Cup here twice. Has shown a bit more speed in recent European runs.

6. Land Legend  – Won the G1 Metropolitan and then was 3rd in this race on a bog heavy track last year. Could surprise if ran to best.

8. Adelaide River  – Does have high quality G1 2400m form in Europe. Is starting to show glimpses of that ability here now. Could surprise on European form.

11. Golden Snap  – Japanese import and they must always be respected. Has won over 2400m, and is a G2 performer. Isn’t however considered near the ilk of the higher quality Japanese radiers in the past.

14. Birdman  – – G2 placegetter over 2800m at Ascot. Has mixed form in Australia but won over 2000m two starts ago and his best couldn’t be discounted.

15. Half Yours  –  Won the LR Caloundra Cup by 4.7L, then won the G3 Naturalism by 3.4L before flying home for 4th in the G1 Turnbull last start beaten 2.6L. Deserved favourite with the light weight and good draw.

16. Royal Supremacy  – Ran 2nd to Giavellotto over 2600m at Ascot last year. Ran 2nd in the G3 Newcastle Cup then won the G1 Metropolitan. Racing in good form but this is another step up.

17. Valiant King  – Ran 2nd beaten 1.5L by Vauban in a G3 2400m at Naas two years ago. Showed best form in Australia when winning a very brutally run G3 Bart Cummings last start by 2.8L.

1. Vauban
15. Half Yours
4. Meydaan
17. Valiant King