Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
The G1 Caulfield Cup - history at The Heath
It's an even field to this year's running of Caulfield's showpiece, a Group 1 2400-metre race contested since 1879 and won by such wonderful horses as Poseidon, Rising Fast (NZ) (Alonzo {GB}), Galilee (NZ) (Alcimedes {GB}), Tobin Bronze, Let's Elope (NZ) (Nassipour {USA}), Northerly (Serheed {USA}), Elvstroem and Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}).
A great race in itself and also as an influential lead-up to the G1 Melbourne Cup, the G1 Caulfield Cup is always of great interest historically but also for the punter and this is a great betting race this year with differing formlines and some very nice up-and-coming stayers.
Attempting to emulate Viewed by winning a G1 Melbourne Cup first, Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War {USA}) has been in great form this time in and his unlucky fifth in the G3 Bart Cummings S. was not missed.
The G1 Turnbull S. is the main form reference here, that race won in dominant style by Smokin' Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines) who has been one of the finds of the spring so far - and has been back into favouritism having been 100-1 just a few weeks ago.
Smokin' Romans (NZ), the current favourite in the G1 Caulfield Cup | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Frankel's (GB) three-quarter brother Maximal (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) was a game second in that race in which fellow imports Gold Trip (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}), Knights Order (Ire) (So You Think {NZ}) and Great House (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) were close up - and imported horses have won four of the last 10 G1 Caulfield Cups.
The local brigade is strong though. The Group 1 mares Duais (Shamus Award), Inspirational Girl (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) and Montefilia (Kermadec {NZ}) are all nicely primed for the 2400 metres. Meanwhile, Noncomformist (Rebel Raider) has been sound taking on the country's best weight-for-age horses.
Like him, Benaud (Reliable Man {GB}) was competitive in Anamoe's (Street Boss {USA}) G1 Might And Power S. (registered Caulfield S.), while Alegron (Teofilo {Ire}) looks to be one of the best Listed VRC St Leger winners in years. All in all, an intriguing contest as the big handicaps so often are.
The Everest - Nature Strip, again?
Returning from his successful one-race Royal Ascot raid with a dominant performance in the G2 The Shorts, Nature Strip (Nicconi) is the deserved favourite lining up for his fourth Everest - a race in which he was so determined in winning last year.
Another three who took their place 12 months ago again take on the challenge of trying to catch the world's highest-rated sprinter - Masked Crusader (Toronado {Ire}), runner-up last year and great flashing home along the rails in the G2 Premiere S. - Eduardo (Host {Chi}) third and still racing well (as usual) and Lost And Running (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) fourth and in better form this time around - too good as the favourite in the G2 Premiere S.
Jacquinot boasts interesting parallels with the 2019 The Everest winner Yes Yes Yes - being by the same sire in Rubick and he comes into the contest with similar lead-up form; a G1 Golden Rose win vs a Golden Rose second. It was such an impressive victory in the Group 1 it wasn’t long before Coolmore snatched him up for their slot in the $15 million race.
Nature Strip looks to make back-to-back wins in The Everest | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Also coming off an impressive last-start wins are last year's G1 Epsom H. winner Private Eye (Al Maher), the former Hong Kong horse with the great second-chance story Joyful Fortune, another by Nicconi, the flying mare Shades Of Rose, another by Rubick, and the unbeaten Victorian 3-year-old Giga Kick (Scissor Kick).
Such is the strength of the race that Nature Strip is actually quite backable despite racing in career-best form. This is start number 40 for the imposing chestnut and what a record he has - 22 wins, nine placings. A first-four finish here will mean his prizemoney will swell beyond the $20 million mark.
The G1 Livamol Classic - Group 1 action in New Zealand
First run in 1920 as the Ormond Memorial Gold Cup - undergoing several name changes, including the Kelt Capital, in the meantime - this 2000-metre, weight-for-age contest has always been of great interest to Australians with a number of its winners also enjoying big-race success in this country.
Such as Redcraze (NZ) (Red Mars {GB}), Gloaming (The Welkin {GB}), Syntax (NZ), Sasanof (NZ) (Martian {NZ}), Mr Lomondy (NZ) (Noble Bijou {USA}), Guest Star (NZ) (Crest Of The Wave {GB}), Balmerino (NZ), Castletown (NZ) (One Pound Sterling {GB}), Veandercross (NZ) (Crossways {GB}), Solvit (NZ) (Morcon {GB}), Prized Gem (NZ) (Prized {USA}), Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), Jimmy Choux (NZ) and Wall Street (NZ) (Montjeu {Ire}).
It's a good lineup this year with a number of chances including the well-related favourite Mustang Valley (NZ), a Vanbrugh mare from the family of Might And Power (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), who found trouble before charging to the line in last weekend's G1 Arrowfield Stud Plate.
Mustang Valley (NZ), the current favourite for the G1 Livamol Classic at Hastings | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
A game third having also struck interference in that race won by the Melbourne-bound La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) was Pris De Fer (NZ) (Savabeel) who just doesn't know how to run a bad race, while a close-up fourth off a slow start was Vernanme (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}).
Defibrillate (NZ) (Shocking) is having his first New Zealand run since September 2019 - in the meantime winning nine races in Australia, three of those at Listed level. Meanwhile, Soldier Boy (NZ) (Proisir) is up in class but in career-best form.
G2 Tristarc and the G3 Angst - all about the mares
Some lovely mares seek valuable black type in Melbourne and Sydney on Saturday with the running of the G2 Tristarc S. at Caulfield and the G3 Angst Quality at Randwick.
Named in honour of the 1985 G1 Caulfield Cup winner, the Tristarc is an open race this year with Palaisipan (So You Think {NZ}) and Chain Of Lightning (Fighting Sun) fighting for favouritism - the former so game in defeat off a horror draw last time out and will jump from the inside gate this time. Meanwhile, the latter didn't lose any fans with her first defeat.
Champion Sire Written Tycoon has a couple of chances in the shape of Kissonallforcheeks and Tycoon Evie who both come off solid performances without the best of luck. Excelida (Exceed And Excel) is a last-start winner in similar company (the G2 Rose Of Kingston S.), defeating Frankel's (GB) talented daughter Argentia - a race in which Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) was good late after missing the start.
Chain Of Lightning, the current favourite for the G2 Tristarc S. at Caulfield | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Another race named after a topliner, the Angst sees the return of the popular 8-year-old Polly Grey (NZ) (Azamour {Ire}) who was in such great form last time in. Hope In Your Heart (Dundeel {NZ}) is in flying form, while Honeycreeper (Teofilo {Ire}) was good to the line when resuming in a handicap at Randwick on September 17.
The Chris Waller-trained pair - Polly Grey's stablemates - Grace And Harmony (NZ) (Sebring) and Finepoint (Pins) are both up in class but promising.
Both races have produced successful broodmares - winners of the Tristarc producing the Group 1 winners Laisserfaire (Danehill {USA}) and Flavour (Rubiton) whilst Angst winners have been represented at the elite level by Princess Coup (Encosta De Lago), Zabrasive (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and Fangirl (Sebring).
Polly Grey (NZ), the current favourite for the G3 Angst Quality at Randwick | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
The G2 Caulfield Sprint and the G3 Sydney S. - the other speedsters
Whilst the best of the speedsters contest The Everest, there is another depth of talent to support two Group dashes on Saturday - the G2 Caulfield Sprint and the G3 Sydney S. Could it be that the same in-form stable wins both?
The Godolphin blue has been so prominent in recent weeks and James Cummings saddles up leading contenders in both races - at Caulfield the last-start Warwick Farm winner Kallos (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) strongly fancied as is, at Randwick, Kementari (Lonhro) who has a couple of nice runs under his belt this time in; competitive with leading Everest contenders.
Taking on Kallos is fellow Sydney galloper Dragonstone (Mikki Isle {Jpn}), who resumes off good trial form and the talented locals Generation (Snitzel) who didn't have quite enough room when finishing on the heels of the placegetters in the G1 AJ Moir S. and Asfoora (Flying Artie) who was luckless as an odds-on favourite last start having won four of her previous five starts.
James Cummings looks to continue his recent form with two leading contenders in the G2 Caulfield Sprint and the G3 Sydney S. | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Four-time Champion Sire Snitzel has a couple of nice G3 Sydney S. chances with In The Congo suited back at Randwick having not appreciated Moonee Valley's tight turns whilst Remarque has earned this track at tougher company having impressed winning his last two.
The recently crowned Queensland Horse of the Year Apache Chase (Better Than Ready) boasts excellent second-up form and was close up when resuming and it would be timely if Snitzel's granddaughter Swats That (Shamus Award) could win - her third dam Let's Elope (NZ) (Nassipour {USA}) enjoying one of her biggest moments on this weekend 31 years ago.
The G3 Ethereal S. and the Listed Reginald Allen - the 3YO fillies
The trainers of the last two winners of the G3 Ethereal S. are again represented this year at Caulfield.
Anthony and Sam Freedman - who two years ago cheered home Chica Fuerte (Hinchinbrook) - have one of the leading contenders in Moko (Impending) who was luckless in the G2 Edward Manifold S.
Pavitra (American Pharoah {USA}) faced the breeze when a solid G1 Flight S. fifth which looks good form for this and Renaissance Woman (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) was picking up late after getting a bit too far back in that same race. Up in class but most impressive saluting in easy fashion at Moonee Valley at just her second outing is Foxy Cleopatra (American Pharoah {USA}) whilst also showing good promise is Whakamana (Sacred Falls {NZ}).
At Randwick, the Listed Reginald Allen S. kicks off the card with James Cummings looking a big chance to continue his winning ways with Parisal (Astern) being kept very safe despite being beaten in a maiden at her only start to date. It was a promising run though and there is a distinct lack of black-type form in this race.
Making others who have been racing in restricted company decent chances - such as Amati (Sebring) who has shown a preference for rain-affected going, A Lot More Love (Sebring) whose maiden company formlines have been holding up well, Lonrioli (Lonhro) who recorded a big all-the-way win at Goulburn last time out, Orzala (Snitzel), who looked good breaking through at only her second start and the fellow regally bred Call Di, who is a product of a mating between Frankel (GB) and the triple Group 1 winner Samantha Miss (Redoute's Choice), was unplaced but sound to the line at debut.
