RACING Royally daft to say only Kings can rule
THE TAB is bracing for a Caulfield Cup avalanche on Kings Will Dream after Darren Weir’s gun drew favourably for Saturday’s Group 1 but James McDonald has warned punters against dismissing rivals on the basis of wide gates.
Aware of statistics which show barriers inside 10 are most successful, McDonald believes the $ 5 million staying test is traditionally complicated — and Saturday’s edition is no exception.
“Obviously the Caulfield Cup is a funny old race,” he said after his mount The Taj Mahal drew 19.
“I think he’s got a great chance if the race is on the speed. He’s in it up to his ears if he has any luck.”
Kerrin McEvoy, who partners Youngstar from gate 10, echoed McDonald’s thoughts about the changeable nature of the helter skelter race.
“It’s a different race to ride in than any other race during the year,” McEvoy said.
“The Caulfield Cup can ride different, year in, year out, so you have to have your wits about you and almost go on the fly a bit.
“Go every furlong and see how it unshapes. Caulfield can be tricky for some horses. They need to have the right criteria to offset Caulfield. KERRIN McEvoy is confident that a first race at 2400m will be good for Youngstar after the mare drew the mid- range barrier its jockey was hoping for. The Chris Waller- trained star was installed as second- favourite for Saturday’s Caulfield Cup at $ 5.50 after drawing barrier 10.
And while the four- year- old
“It takes a hardy horse, a horse with the right credentials and a nice weight.”
Irishman Pat Cosgrave will chase successive Group 1 victories with Best Solution after snaring the Caulfield Stakes last week with Benbatl.
Like McDonald, he is undaunted has never raced at that distance, McEvoy — who had hoped for sub12 gate — was confident in its ability. “I think ( it will suit),” he said. “The ( Queensland) Oaks win … she was strong at the end of it there in Doomben ( after 2200m) and she’s got a great attitude and relaxes well.
“She’s a nice mare to ride in the way that she conserves her energy, by a wide alley — 17 — with the Cup topweight.
“It is what it is and Best Solution is a straight- forward horse anyway,” Cosgrave said.
“I can ride him the way I want to. He’s pretty uncomplicated and genuine. so you’d like to think that 2400m will be no problem.”
McEvoy, 37, said it takes “a hardy horse” to win the Caulfield Cup and that this year’s stanza was a wideopen and strong field of horses both local and from abroad.
“( It takes) a horse that has obviously got the right credentials and with a nice weight that can stay well and have a turn of foot at the
“He seems to go on ground.”
Cosgrave labelled Duretto, trained by Andrew Balding, a genuine chance after the raider drew the inside — a gate which has not yielded the winner since Velocity in 1941.
“I think Duretto is a good chance, he’s drawn one,” Cosgrave said.
“It’s a high class race, there are a lot of horses with good chances in the race.”
A record six internationals will tackle the Cup, including Japan’s Chestnut Coat ( barrier 13) and Sole Impact ( 20).
Kings Will Dream ($ 5.50-$ 5) deposed Youngstar ($ 5- 5.50) as favourite as punters reacted to the draw.
“Kings Will Dream has had the ideal Caulfield Cup lead- up and is the one to beat,” TAB’s Nick Quinn said.
“After controversially withdrawing favourite Yucatan from the race, Team Williams has three runners in the race with The Taj Mahal at $ 18 after drawing barrier 19, Homesman at $ 13 after drawing barrier four and The Cliffsofmoher at $ 6.50 after drawing barrier three.
“It is an incredibly strong and open Cup with just three runners in single figure odds.”
Kings Will Dream was quoted at $ 101 to win the Caulfield Cup on February 12. all types of end of the 2400m as well,” he said.
“Caulfield can be tricky for some horses — they need to have the right criteria to offset Caulfield. “( My confidence is) strong that she’s going to run really well. But it’s a great line- up, so we’re going to have to bring our A game.”
Ventura Storm ($ 34) drew barrier 11, which will come into 10 if no emergency races