Caulfield Cup Review

When I scanned my copy of the Winning Post on Thursday afternoon, it was apparent that this was one of the great Cup fields. What it lacked in “star” performers (e.g. Northerly status) was more than compensated by the evenness and depth of the field which was relfected in a wide open betting market. The rest of the card looked lack lustre on paper to me.

Glencadam Gold, another over-hyped Gai Waterhouse front-runner, bounced from the gates as expected but punctured as they turned into the straight. Co-frontrunner, Voila Ici fared even worse, failing to beat one home. December Draw was a sentimental favourite due to sustaining an injury in running when a hot favourite last year. Well, pretty sure we now know that punters would have burned their money last year, injury or not, as he failed to run out the distance. Apparently headed to Mackinnon Stakes in a couple of weeks time. The winner, Dunaden, got a lovely ride and swooped on them to win in arrogant fashion. On face value, the big one would appear to be at his mercy but I’m not so sure. Don;t forget that he only won last year by half a whisker, will get another penalty for yesterday’s win and have to give significant weight to some other smart imports including last year’s runner-up, Red Cadeaux and Americain who ran a great Cup trial yesterday.

Race 3 provided plenty of raw emotion when Hvasstan got the money in a rough house affair just days after the death of the Gelagotis patriarch.
As mentioned last week, the big sprints are there for the taking if one can stand up from the pack. Arise, Howmuchdoyouloveme !! Shocking name- terrific sprinter. Look forward to his clashes with Buffering and Bel Sprinter.

Other thoughts:
King’s Rose – disappointing, turning into a non-winner
Mosheen – gone, probably goes to the paddock now (or to stud)
Alcopop – great performance but where to now?

How did you go? Who should be following or sacking??

Comments

  1. Good summary Budge and spot on with your comments.
    As usual I lost on the race (Durics mount- and last to boot) but the “Management Committee” backed Alcopop. Why- because she has seen it train on the beach here. (sometimes there is no science in spotting winners )
    This was my first year of watching uninterrupted (not leaving the “greens” in a hurry and rushing back after the race) but did notice the third horse Lights of Heaven not far away
    My attention turns to the Cox Plate- first time ive ever been there and so trying to “jag” the winner. Help will be required

  2. Oges – are you going to be in the Members, Corporate or out with the general public?

  3. Budge- in life I have found out it is who you know rather than what you know and have got some Members tickets much to the delight of the “Management Committee” and friends from here who we are going with. Definitely Saturday Members and possibly Friday night too.
    When will you be there and where? and are there others in attendance?

  4. I would highly recommend getting reserved grandstand tickets if you haven’t already to get the most out of the experience. I’m usually in the Members but this year there are 6 or 7 of us who have lashed out for the dining package (inc reserved seats and all beverages!). Could get ugly!!

  5. Skip of Skipton says

    Alcopop’s jockey said yesterday was his ‘grand final’, and he wont be going to the Melbourne Cup. I’d run him in the Cox Plate.

  6. Cox Plate too hot for him at WFA. Sandown Classic if anything. I think the owners are doing the right thing by spelling him.

  7. Budge – I reckon Americain is the one to beat in the Cup. The stable will talk up Dunedin and plunge on Americain.

    What did you think of Winchester’s run? Seemed to be going well at the end. A good roughy for the Cup.

    I also like Red Cadeaux. Is that having a lead up race?

  8. King’s Rose was a good run…will win over a mile.
    Gatewood wins Wednesday and then on to Flemington.
    Anyone watch Frankel?

  9. Dips – I agree. I’ve lost track of the weights but Americain will meet Dunaden a few kgs better for last year when he probably should have won anyway.
    Another solid run from Winchester. Progressing well for the Cup.
    Red Cadeaux doesn’t even arrive until Saturday so will be going straight into the Cup as he did last year. M Rodd on board again.
    Crio – not convinced about the merit of King’s Rose, Last year could easily have won the Cox Plate but is significantly below that form at the moment.
    Saw replay of Frankel. Won like a top horse rather than the alltime superstar that he is. Ridiculous how many times the rider of his pacemaker looked around for him during the race.

  10. Dips – Dunaden and Americain might both be from France but are in different stables.

  11. Peter Flynn says

    King’s Rose = Money Muncher

  12. Skip of Skipton says

    Waiting to see what Brigantin and Maluckyday do in the Geelong Cup.

  13. Are you going to the Geelong Cup, Skip (or any knackers)?
    I’ll be working for David McLauchlan in the main ring (stand 2) and we may recruit the Budge as a guest “bagman”!

  14. Rail 5 is our draw at Geelong Wednesday.

  15. Skip of Skipton says

    The Melbourne Cup Tour is in Skipton on Wednesday. I’m going to the morning tea. Then I have to work that arvo. Jim Johnson and Mick Robins of Rain Lover fame will be there, and the VRC historian too. I actually have a badge of Rain Lover’s silks which I got at Flemington once, so I will be wearing it.

  16. David Downer says

    Ripper day at the Heath.

    Owners bar worked a treat again, as described by PJF earlier. Apologies for not getting out to say G’day, Crio, but we settled in there far too easily! How’d you go for room among the masses inside there?

    Stunning Caulfield Cup. And as you might detect, a handy old result for myself. But to have the class horse winning the classiest modern day edition is most fitting, and a great legacy for putting the race back on the map after a few seemingly lean-ish years. I tweeted this ad-nauseaum yesterday, but Dunaden blew out to, remarkably, $19 on Betfair in the few minutes before the race. Naturally, I kept nibbling.

    Teriffic effort from Alcopop too of course. Americain the eye-catcher, and will have the weight advantage on Dunaden now in the Gup. He should be a shorter price than Dunaden in the big one.

    Nice win from Hvasstan in the N.Robinson. He did require all of that “bullocking strength” I keep harping on about. Not sure if he’s got It’s A Dundeel’s measure in the Derby, but he’s the leading local (victorian) contender. Maybe IAD should have thrown the dice in the Cox Plate if Proisir is being spruiked as a genuine chance?

    Happy I didn’t get involved with that King’s Rose odds-on action. Ghastly!

    After the inevitable crash on the couch job, thankfully I did manage to wake just in time for Frankel’s race. Missed the kick but was never really in doubt in the run I didn’t think. His pacemaker, old mate (and three parts brother) Bullet Train, was completely unnecessary. but maybe it was his swansong too?? One of the UK commentators previously referred to them as a Cain and Abel double act.

    Sounds as though an untypically small, but select field for the Geelong Cup. Hoping Gatewood gets to a decent price given they might come for a couple of the others purely for being French.

    Now, how to wrangle things to get down there for it….

  17. Budge – any chance of catching up before “the rot sets in” on Saturday
    or Friday night if you are going?

  18. Oges – how about meeting at Crio’s stand straight after Race 2 on Saturday. I’m very doubtful for Friday night – saving the powder (and cash) for the big one!
    I don’t race well on a quick back-up.

  19. Dunaden is very good, but he’s no Folding Gear.

    Watch the Caulfield Cup here and tell me Folding Gear was not a certainty beaten.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=potHTg4DZ5E

    Snagged the tri anyway.

    Not quite DDowner league but a happy day on the punt.

  20. Andrew Fithall says

    After my one tip of Voila Ici, I am contemplating setting up a 1900 phone tipping service. Should be a good money spinner.

  21. Skip of Skipton says

    Big money for Brigantin in Geelong Cup. Dunaden camp saying he is the horse they have to beat at Flemington, considering the five, probably six kilo weight advantage.
    Here’s his last start in France, a strong finishing second ahead of Shahwardi and Americain. Dig the two race-callers.

    http://www.racingvictoria.net.au/p_Prix_Kergorlay.aspx

  22. Did you see the rep on Racing Review?…unequivocal that the best of Brigantin is easily the winner.

  23. Andrew,
    Gai’s got that cornered!

  24. I’m waiting for Exceptionally to run again. The Herbert Power was not the strongest field but she was the run of the race for mine.

    Have not seen noms for the Geelong Cup but have heard she is entered.

  25. Skip of Skipton says

    Yes, Exceptionally is one of only seven starters. The traditional country cuppers and battlers look to be giving it a miss now, understandably.

  26. John Harms says

    Texan Warney snags the Horsham Cup on the tenth anniversary of You’re Joking’s wonderful victory. Both ridden by H. McKechnie.

  27. John Harms says

    D. I Dodson – classic bush trainer. He’s by Michael Tuck, out of a Norman Yemm mare. TRained both You’re Joking and Texan Warney.

  28. Budge – will be there on Sat at Crios stand after the second
    Skip / Pete- Im an Exceptionally fan (and Yendall too)
    Andrew- I backed Voila Ici so dont worry (Inever win on Caufield/Melb Cup)
    Harmsy- you are a form student

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