Caulfield Cup – 2022

Track: Heavy Weather: Fine

Eighteen runners + two emergencies have accepted for the 2022 Group 1 Caulfield Cup.  Champion trainer Chris Waller has a very strong hand with four runners, while Michael Moroney, John O’Shea, Danny O’Brien, Ciaron Maher & David Eustace all have two runners entered.

Smokin’ Romans surged to the top of Caulfield Cup betting after winning the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington two weeks ago.  He draws barrier five and will be ridden by Jamie Kah who is looking to win her first Caulfield Cup.  Benaud has won just the one race but is flying this prep and has proven himself effective on wet ground.  He draws the outside gate for Regan Bayliss.

The Sydney Cup winner Knights Order has been well backed in early betting and should find the front.  Alegron won the Kingston Town last start and is trained by Godolphin – the most informed stable in the country.  Numerian has finished in the first two at his past five starts.  Nonconformist was an excellent second behind Incentivise in this race last year while Gold Trip and Duais draw well in the middle of the line.

1. Gold Trip

Maher & Eustace import with strong overseas form.  Has been well fancied in betting at his last two starts and has not been beaten far in either of them.  Drawn well and should handle wet ground.

2. Duais

She finished off well first up over 1400m here however her two subsequent runs have been pretty plain to my eye.  Would be right in this if she could recapture her Autumn form that saw her win an Australian Cup and a Tancred.

3. Knights Order

Won the Group 1 Sydney Cup on a very heavy track in April and he could be going even better this prep?  All three runs have been very good and he now gets out to a trip he will relish in conditions that he will relish.   Could take some catching here.

4. Montefilia

Quality mare who finished fourth in this race last year.  Was good first up behind Anamoe, then disappointing on face value in the Hill Stakes but started very short in the market there and it could pay to trust that SP.  Will handle the ground.

5. Numerian

Charged home in the Chelmsford first up, then was a very solid second last time out in the Hill Stakes.  Loves wet ground, well drawn and keeps Tommy Berry.  Can win.

6. Nonconformist

Is on the quick back up after running in the Caulfield Stakes here last Saturday.  Not beaten far in that.  Finished second behind Incentivise in this race last year and a repeat of that effort would see him hard to beat in this.  Wet ground?

7. Vow And Declare

The 2019 Melbourne Cup winner has been back to somewhere near his best this prep.  Has been very good at his last two and finally gets some weight relief and an inform Blake Shinn.  A genuine heavy track is a query but if he gets through it he is not with out a chance here.

8. No Compromise

Chris Waller galloper who won the Metropolitan last start.  Has a good record at the trip and likes wet ground. Wouldn’t shock.

9. Alegron

Godolphin gelding who ran third in similar conditions in the ATC Derby earlier in the year.  He has had a little issue since winning the Kingston Town last start which is a concern.  Market your best guide.

10. Benaud

Has been going super this prep.  Thought he closed off quite well in the Caulfield Stakes last week and gets the big weight drop here.  No surprise to see him single figures in the market.

11. Great House

Was a very good fifth in the race last year.  Made steady ground along the rail in the Turnbull last start.  Set for this.  Don’t discount Waller!

12. Inspirational Girl

Has been really solid through the line at both runs this prep.  First look at 2400m on a testing track is the query.  Has the class to win.

13. Maximal

Finished second in the Turnbull.  The heavy track is the big query for him.  Risking.

14. Sound

10 year old who will have no trouble staying the distance.  Doubt he can win though.

15. Chapada

Was very good from the back in the Naturalism here two starts ago.  Drawn perfect.  Struggles to win but has a place chance.

16. Crystal Pegasus

Qualified for this race by winning the Mornington Cup earlier in the year.  Doesn’t appear to be going well enough.

17. Smokin’ Romans

Current favourite for the race.  Has gone to a new level this campaign.  Won the Naturalism, then the Turnbull Stakes.  Drops 4 kg and gets Jamie Kah on.  Hard to fault.

18. Tralee Rose

Has finished last at her last two starts and is off 47 days here.  Can’t recommend.

19. Durston – 1st Emergency

Bolted in, in the Newcastle Cup two starts ago, then was sixth in the Metropolitan last time out.  Needs to improve quite a few lengths on last run.

20. Makram – 2nd Emergency

Is on the quick back up after a very good closing second in the Herbert Power last Saturday.  Not without a hope if he gets a run.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
17 Smokin’ Romans	3 Knights Order
8 No Compromise	5 Numerian
5 Numerian	17 Smokin’ Romans
9 Alegron	10 Benaud

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	19e Durston
2nd	1 Gold Trip	0.2 length
3rd	3 Knights Order	0.95 length
4th	4 Montefilia	1.05 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 6.

Scratchings: 13. Maximal, 20e. Makram.