The experts would have you believe that the Melbourne Cup is the toughest race of the spring to win. Bollocks. In the vast majority of years, there are maybe 5-6 genuine Melbourne Cup contenders (unless, of course, Typhoon Frankie Dettori KOs the bulk of the contenders allowing a 150-1 pop to take the race à la 2015). In contrast, a genuine winning case can generally be made for the bulk of the Caulfield Cup field each year. Not many horses can run out a genuine Group 1-quality two miles. Plenty can run out a very strong 2400m.
In contrast, a genuine winning case can generally be made for the bulk of the Caulfield Cup betting field each year. Not many horses can run out a genuine Group 1-quality two miles. Plenty can run out a very strong 2400m.
Blue Sapphire an appetizer for the main event
The BMW Caulfield Cup Carnival continues on Wednesday (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) with the running of the AUD $350,000 Group 3 Catanach’s Jewellers Blue Sapphire Stakes. After the Thousand Guineas was shifted to the Caulfield Guineas Day in 2012, this set weights’ affair for three-year-olds over 1200m became the feature act on the middle day of the carnival. The billing/prizemoney hasn’t been matched by the quality of the field in recent years for this awkward albeit lucrative spot on the spring racing calendar, but that’s not the case this year. It’s worth noting that horses nominated for the AUD $1 million G1 Blue Diamond Stakes earlier in the year automatically qualify for this race.
Price colt is simply Flyin’
The 3yo class of 2016 is one of the strongest in recent years, which nicely franks the hype and price surrounding Golden Slipper place-getter Flying Artie. Mapped to get the perfect run from barrier 4, Mick Price’s colt remains a steal at $2.10 on the William Hill board. Flying Artie won the Blue Diamond Prelude last campaign before finishing second to stablemate Extreme Choice in the Blue Diamond, then third in the Golden Slipper to Capitalist. It’s worth noting that three of the past four winners have been favourites while the past four victors all started in barrier 5 or closer to the fence. He rates about four lengths ahead of this field so even allowing for a less-than-perfect run, he should be conquering this bunch.
Oaks winner leads Cup market
The line-up for the AUD $3 million BMW Caulfield Cup has been finalised with a field of 20 to chase the first prize of AUD $1.75 million on Saturday afternoon. Despite a miserable start to the week, the Caulfield track has so far held up remarkably well, so good conditions are likely for the toughest 2400m test in the country. Last year’s Victorian Oaks winner Jameka (barrier 13) is the dominant favourite for the race at $3.40 ahead of Darren Weir’s sole runner Real Love (10), the winner of the JRA Cup, at $9. Go Dreaming will carry just 50.5kg from the cherished inside draw but remains a $201 pop.
Internationals to make their mark on Saturday
More and more international trainers are bringing their Melbourne Cup contenders to town for at least one run ahead of the world’s richest handicap race on the first Tuesday in November. This year, four internationals will line up in the 2016 Caulfield Cup with Aidan O’Brien represented by Sir Isaac Newton, Charlie Appleby saddling up Scottish and Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Andreas Wohler represented by Articus. Lee and Anthony Freedman now train former Sir Michael Stoute galloper Exospheric, formerly known as Exosphere. All have drawn reasonably and attracted interest from local punters – Articus (11) and Scottish (7) are at $8, Exospheric (3) is a $10 quote, while Sir Isaac Newton, which will start from barrier 9, is rated an $11 hope.
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
