Best Solution’s big price
PAT Cosgrave has labelled The Cliffsofmoher the horse to beat in the Caulfield Cup as the Irishman plots successive Group 1 triumphs on Best Solution.
Cosgrave made a spectacular Australian debut last week with Caulfield Stakes victory aboard Benbatl and hopes to make it two in a row with Saeed bin Suroor’s well-credentialed Best Solution.
But he has tremendous respect for Aidan O’Brien’s The Cliffsofmoher, who motored late with sizzling closing sectionals when fourth to Benbatl.
“I thought The Cliffsofmoher was a big run from back in the field last Saturday,” Cosgrave said.
“It was 10 furlongs (2000m) and I think he’ll improve going up to 2400m. I think he’s one of our dangers but there are quite a few horses in the race with chances. I’ve only got to give him a kilo, which is not so bad.
“I think it’s gonna be a fascinating race but he was one of the eye-catchers last week, coming off the speed.”
The Cliffsofmoher is a TAB $7 third favourite behind Kings Will Dream ($5) and Youngstar ($5).
Best Solution, a dual Group 1 winner, is quoted at $15 — a figure which astounds Cosgrave.
“He has got top weight for a reason, the handicapper thinks he is the best horse in the race,” Cosgrave said.
“I was surprised he was such a big price, he’s a dual group 1 winner from the UK, and he seems to have im- proved the last six months since coming back from the UAE.
“I suppose it takes a bit of pressure off me being such a big price, which is good in a way. Hopefully he is going to run a nice race.”
Cosgrave’s main issue is navigating a winning path from gate 17.
“Everyone keeps telling me it’s a problem, it’s not ideal,” he said.
“But someone has to be drawn 17, someone has to be drawn outside me which is even worse. It’s one of those things, it’s going to make my life a little more difficult, but who knows what a good draw or a bad draw is.
Some people tell me that (barrier) one is the worst draw to get, but I was hoping to be drawn one before the draw came out.”
Cosgrave is confident Best Solution, who boasts six wins at 2400m from 11 attempts, has the necessary qualities to overcome adversity and class opposition.
“He’s quite straightforward to ride,” Cosgrave said. “I can probably ride him any way I want. I can ride him forward and hopefully get in. If I don’t, so be it. Just got to go to plan B.”