Rough draw for Finche
CHAMPION trainer Chris Waller’s quest to win a maiden Caulfield Cup suffered a blow yesterday when his heavily fancied import Finche drew an awkward gate for Saturday’s $5 million race.
In what turned out to be a brutal barrier draw for some of the more fancied runners, Finche was clinging to favouritism last night after drawing barrier 19, which will see the Turnbull Stakes runner-up jump from gate 15 if there are no scratchings.
Finche drifted out to $6 after the barrier draw, but the consolation for Waller and jockey Michael Walker is that last year’s Caulfield Cup winner Best Solution also jumped from barrier 15.
Waller’s other Caulfield Cup hope, Naturalism Stakes winner Brimham Rocks, fared even worse, drawing one gate further out than his stablemate. Fancied Japanese raider Mer De Glace ($8) will also need some luck after drawing 21, and will likely come in a few more spots, but has in-form hoop Damian Lane aboard. Lane knows the horse having won on him twice during his stint in Japan earlier this year.
One of the big firmers for the race was David Hayes’ import Constantinople, which the trainer said was working better than last week’s Caulfield Stakes winner Cape Of Good Hope. Hayes can’t wait to unleash the highly rated horse for his first Australian start, and the horse shortened into equal third favourite at $9 after drawing gate seven.
The Lindsay Park team is well stocked with South Australian Derby winner Qafila and the talented Rostropovich in the field, while Neufbosc is second emergency. Hayes and Cory Parish united to win the race on Boom Time in 2017, and both believe Qafila carries similar credentials into this year’s race.
“She’s working up quite well, I thought in the Herbert Power the other day was a nice run, quite similar to Boom Time,” Parish said.
Damien Oliver last won a Caulfield Cup 20 years ago on Sky Heights, and hopes Ebor winner Mustajeer can see him claim a record-equalling fifth victory in the race, drawing him level with the Scobie Breasley. The Kris-Lees trained horse drew 16 last night and rates a $9 equal third favourite.
“Blue Army” warrior Hartnell will be a sentimental favourite for many as he looks to carry the topweight of 58kg from an outside gate, but Godolphin bloodstock manager Jason Walsh is confident the nine-year-old is up to the task. He rates as a $21 chance.
“Hartnell is no stranger to big weights and no stranger to big handicaps,” Walsh said.