2008 Caulfield Cup – 18 October 2008

The $2.5 million Group 1 BMW Caulfield Cup over 2400 metres at Caulfield, has a full field of 18 runners plus 4 emergencies. It is one of Australia’s richest thoroughbred horse races, and is the richest 2400m handicap in the world.

Weekend Hussler has regained favouritism after drifting in the betting following his defeat in the Turnbull Stake two weeks ago. He is currently $4.80 after a betting plunge over the last couple of days, despite drawing fairly wide in barrier 11 and being untested at the distance.

Littorio, the horse that won the Turnbull, is second favourite at $6. He seems to get better as the distance increases – he was third behind Weekend Hussler on 6 September in the 1600 metre Makybe Diva, and then on 20 September he was third again behind Weekend Hussler in the 1800 metre Underwood Stakes when he absolutely flashed home. He hasn’t had a very good record at Caulfield, with four runs for one third, but he certainly looks suited this time, and has drawn barrier 10, next to Weekend Hussler.

Third in the early market at $7 is Master O’Reilly with Vlad Duric on board. They won this race last year and are hoping for back to back wins after the powerful finish to claim second place in the Turnbull two weeks ago. Danny O’Brien also has Douro Valley in the race, who is a definite hope after his win in the Yalumba, and he also has first emergency Barbaricus who is unlikely to get a start.

Fourth in the betting is Guillotine who has drifted in price after drawing barrier 21 (which means he will start in 17 if no emergencies get a run). David Hayes has two other runners with Kibbutz and Zagreb.

Two of the starters have not raced in Australia before and these are Mad Rush and All The Good who have both been racing in England and are here for the Melbourne Cup. Damien Oliver will be riding Mad Rush, and connections feel he is near his peak. All the Good is from the Godolphin stable and won his last start over 2700 metres by over 3 lengths in a field of twenty.

Bart Cummings has won this race more times than anyone else. He has won it six times –Let’s Elope, Leilani, Big Philou, Galilee and Ming Dynasty (twice). This year his runner is Viewed. He also has the fourth emergency Moatize.

Horses that have firmed in the market since the barrier draw are Fuimicino, All The Good and Boundless. Horses that have drifted after drawing awkwardly are Maldivian, Mad Rush and Guillotine

by Jo Jackson