Caulfield Cup – 2020

Track: Good   Weather: Cloudy

There is a full field of 18 runners plus 4 emergencies for the $5,000,000 Caulfield Cup. Seven of them are overseas raiders after our Cups, although a couple of them have been here before, nine runners had their last start in the Turnbull Stakes over 2000m, two in the Metropolitan over 2400m, two in the Herbert Power over 2400m while one came through the Hill Stakes over 2000m and one through the Wyong Cup over 2100m. Eleven of the runners are five-years-olds, with three four-year-olds, one six-year-old, four seven-year-olds and three eight-year-olds. Four runners are mares.

It is one of the most open fields in years with all runners currently at $5 or longer. The early favourite is Verry Elleegant following her strong win in the Turnbull two weeks ago. She has two wins over this distance – both Group 1’s and by good margins. Second favourite is the well-travelled Anthony Van Dyck who  has done most of his racing over this distance and comes off a win in Europe. Third favourite is Master Of Wine who finished 0.8 length behind the winner in the Turnbull after being held up and meets her 2.5 kg better at the weights.

Finche was a close 3rd in the Turnbull and finished 5th in this race last year before going to the Melbourne Cup.  Buckhurst is trained in Ireland and is owned by Lloyd Williams. He has 4 wins from his 10 starts. Toffee Tongue has only has one win when she won the G1 Schweppes Oaks in Adelaide. She ran a great 2nd in the Turnbull and only has 51kg to carry. Dashing Willoughby looks a solid stayer on paper, while Dalasan chased hard for 4th in the Turnbull and was 2nd in the SA Derby over 2500m.  All other runners are currently 25 to 1 or longer.

1. Anthony Van Dyck

This Galileo horse is trained by Aidan O’Brien in Ireland and has raced in England. Ireland, Hong Kong and the United States. He won the 2019 Epsom Derby and won the Group 2 Prix Foy at Longchamp over 2400m at his latest start on 13 September. He has drawn very wide but is a big chance.

2. Avilius

He has 11 wins from 31 starts and although he hasn’t won for over a year he is still competitive and  finished 2nd in the Hill Stakes last outing. He is also drawn wide. Rough place chance.

3. Vow And Declare

Last year he ran 2nd in this race then won the Melbourne Cup at his next start. His form this time in is not nearly as good as last year, so I am not expecting to see him in the trifecta.

4. Buckhurst

A lightly raced stallion owner by Lloyd Williams who is having his first Australian start. He has won three Group 3 races at 2000m and ran 5th in a Group 3 at his first try at the 2400m on 12 September

5. Mirage Dancer

This Frankel horse ran 2nd in this race last year before running 14th in the 2019 Melbourne Cup. He has four wins over the distance including the Group 1 Metropolitan at his latest start. He carries 1kg less than he did in this race last year and looks one of the main chances.

6. Mustajeer

He has been well beaten at all three runs this campaign and would need to make a big improvement to feature here.

7. Verry Elleegant

Chris Waller has three runners in the race and they are all chances but I feel this mare is his best hope. She resumed for a win in the Winx Stakes, got caught in traffic when 4th in the George Main Stakes, then won the Turnbull Stakes last start, She has had 2 starts at this distance for two wins – the G1 2019 Australian Oaks by 1.8 lengths and the G1 2020 Tancred Stakes by 4.3 lengths. She is a genuine winning chance.

8. Dashing Willoughby

One of the international raiders who has 4 wins over 1750m, 2400m, 2850m and 3250m. He looks better suited to the Melbourne Cup, but hasn’t raced since 21 August and could be anything.

9. Finche

This son of Frankel is one of those horses that just keeps turning up and running a good race every start. Last year he was 2nd in the Turnbull before running 5th in this race then 7th in the Melbourne Cup. The year before he was 4th in the Melbourne Cup. This year he was a close 3rd in the Turnbull Stakes and it would be no surprise to see him in the finish here.

10. Prince Of Arran

Last year this British runner travelled over for our Spring Carnival where he won the Geelong Cup and was runner-up in the Melbourne Cup. Both times he has used the G3 September Stakes over 2413m at Kempton Park as his lead-up race before coming to Australia and both times he has ran 3rd. Don’t dismiss him.

11. Master Of Wine

He has improved at each of his three runs this preparation and finished 0.8 length behind the winner in the Turnbull after being held up. He meets the winner of that race 2.5 kg better at the weights and should be at hs peak now. One of the chances.

12. The Chosen One

Finished well back in the Underwood Stakes and the Herbert Power and needs to lift.

13. Warning

Won the 2019 Victoria Derby over 2500m by over 3 lengths. He was only a length behind the winner second-up in the Turnbull and was running on strongly. Could run a place.

14. Dalasan

He finished 2nd to Russian Camelot in the G1 SA Derby over 2500m back in May. He ran a good race in the Turnbull and should go well again here.

15. True Self

This eight-year-old mare came to the Melbourne Spring Carnival last year where she ran 2nd in the Geelong Cup then won the G3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2600m.She hasn’t won at five subsequent races overseas but most of her wins are over longer distances than this.

16. Aktau  – SCRATCHED

17. Toffee Tongue

This four-year-old mare is bred to stay and her only win in 12 starts was the G1 Schweppes Oaks in Adelaide. She ran a super race in the TUrnbull Stakes for 2nd and with only 51kg to carry and a decent barrier I expect to see her in the finish again.

18. Chapada

He ran on strongly to win the Herbert Power Stakes by 1.25 lengths at this track and distance last week.Not the worst.

19. Raheen House – 1st Emergency

He will get a run now that Aktau is an early scratching. Was beaten a long way in the Wyong Cup and don’t expect him to feature here.

20. San Huberto – 2nd Emergency

Import having is first Australian start, Has 4 wins from 2100 to 2000m. Probably won’t get a run.

21. Oceanex – 3rd Emergency

A good staying mare who has finished well back at all three runs this campaign. Not expected to get a run.

22. Le Don De Vie – 4th Emergency

Freedman import. Not expected to get a run.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
7 Verry Elleegant
17 Toffee Tongue
1 Anthony Van Dyck
11 Master Of Wine

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	7. Verry Elleegant
2nd	1. Anthony Van Dyck	0.2 length
3rd	12. the Chosen One	1 lengths
4th	10. Prince Of Arran	1.9 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 6

Scratchings were 16. Aktau (GBR), 20e. San Huberto (IRL), 21e. Oceanex (NZL), 22e. Le Don De Vie (GBR).