Dunlop Reddy for a change of luck
ENGLISH trainer Ed Dunlop has endured more than his share of heartbreaking Australian Group 1 denials – and tragedy.
Red Cadeaux’s three Melbourne Cup seconds, before his subsequent death following a fifth attempt, and Trip To Paris’ runner-up effort in the Caulfield Cup have left Dunlop with an unwanted bridesmaid’s reputation.
Dunlop’s loyal travelling foreman Robin Trevor-Jones has lived through the bittersweet peaks of those close shaves and the desolation of Red Cadeaux’s death in 2015.
Yet, for all those travails, and the gruelling 90-hour flight to Australia, TrevorJones firmly believes Red Verdon is the horse to finally turn Dunlop’s fortunes in Saturday’s Caulfield Cup.
To be ridden by Hong Kong-based Aussie Zac Purton – who won the 2014 Caulfield Cup on Admire Rakti – Red Verdon has drawn barrier nine.
Trevor-Jones says the emerging stayer is flying.
“We had a bit of a traumatic journey here but he’s absolutely thrived there, never seen a horse turn, look so well so quickly,” he said
“His training has been good. Steve (Nicholson), his work rider, has been really happy with him. Everything’s going great at the moment.
“Red Cadeaux, when he came to Australia, you couldn’t believe the improvement.
“He loved that track at Flemington. This fellow has great form in England.
“The Hardwicke (Stakes) form (second, beating home The Cliffsofmoher) is fantastic. He’s a proper Group 1 horse in England, so we’re very hopeful.”
Red Verdon has not raced since running fifth to champion stayer Stradivarius in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup (3319m) at York in August.
Dunlop said Red Verdon, who has five wins, nine seconds and a third from 24 starts, had a better turn of foot than Trip To Paris.
“He’s similar to Trip To Paris but this horse has probably more speed than Trip To Paris,” he said.
Red Verdon was rated a $20 chance in Ladbrokes’ Caulfield Cup market after yesterday’s barrier draw.