The Chosen One powers into Caulfield Cup
New Zealand stayer The Chosen One earned a ticket into the Caulfield Cup with a hard-fought victory in the $NZ465,000 Herbert Power Stakes yesterday.
As the winner of the 2400m handicap, The Chosen One gains a ballot exemption into next Saturday’s $5.3 million Caulfield Cup over the same distance.
Backed from $9 to $6.50, The Chosen One scored a half-length win under rider Damian Lane from last year’s Melbourne Cup placegetter Prince Of Arran ($8.50) with Sully ($9.50) three lengths away third.
The Chosen One had his price slashed for next week’s cup from $101 to $11 and can’t be penalised for the win.
Cambridge-based Murray Baker, who trains in partnership with Andrew Forsman, is chasing a second Caulfield Cup, having won the race in 2015 with Mongolian Khan.
‘‘Mongolian Khan did everything right, he was an experienced horse,’’ Baker said.
‘‘He’d won two derbies, he was pretty strong. This guy is hopefully on the way up.’’
Baker said it was important to see The Chosen One back in form after producing a disappointing performance in the weight-for-age Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on September 29.
He said dropping back to handicap conditions suited the four-year-old. ‘‘The speed was on and he saw the trip out which was the main thing and we go on to the Caulfield Cup now, I think.’’
Lane switches to Japanese stayer Mer De Glance, but said The Chosen One, with his light weight of 52kg, was a huge contender.
Kiwi mare Glory Days finished midfield, while favourite Steel Prince was scratched at the barriers after striking out with a hind leg, taking off some skin. Trainer Anthony Freedman said Steel Prince was initially sore but trotted back to the mounting yard fine. He said the next 48 hours were crucial for the stayer, who was using the race as his final lead-up for the Melbourne Cup.