Benbatl leads foreign legion

BENBATL, t outed a s t he northern hemisphere raider with the credentials to mount a serious Cox Plate challenge to Winx, heads a record 11 international nominations for Saturday’s blockbuster Caulfield meeting.

Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor will fly to Melbourne to watch Benbatl contest the $1 million Caulfield Stakes (2000m), in which he could face Aidan O’Brien’s Cliffs Of Moher and Charlie Appleby’s Blair House.

Benbatl is rated 123 inter- nationally, in equal 13th place with Happy Clapper — seven points below Winx.

He is currently joint TAB third favourite with D’Argento for the Cox Plate at $17 behind Winx ($1.20) and Humidor ($13).

Gailo Chop won last year’s Group 1 Caulfield Stakes, downing subsequent Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup placegetter Johannes Vermeer, before running fifth to Winx in the Cox Plate.

There are 18 nominations for this year’s Caulfield Stakes.

Chris Waller has four entries — Comin’ Through, D’Argento, Egg Tart and Unforgotten — while Darren Weir has three — Tosen Basil, Humidor and Night’s Watch.

The Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) has also drawn the interest of visiting and local stables alike.

Irishman O’Brien has nominated Yucatan, English trainer Charlie Fellowes has Prince Of Arran and Prize Money will represent Bin Suroor.

Dal Harraild, who completes quarantine on Saturday, could have his first start for Caulfield co-trainers David Eustace and Ciaron Maher.

Englishman Appleby has entered two in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) — Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winner Jungle Cat and Blair House, who finished fourth in the Underwood Stakes at his Australian debut.

Weir has nominated Japanese import Lord Langley (formerly Langley) for the Toorak.

O’Brien has entered three for the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) — Fleet Review, Intelligence Cross and Spirit Of Valor.

Appleby has entered Comicas in the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m).