Caulfield Cup – 2023

Track: Good Weather: Fine

This years Caulfield Cup is a truly global race with strong representation from Europe and Asia.  Nineteen have accepted.  Ciaron Maher and David Eustace train four of them including the favourite Gold Trip.  There was some doubt over whether he would run here but at this stage he is in the field and will be piloted by Ben Melham.  He was second in the race last year and a good winner of the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington last start.

Without A Fight was impressed during the Brisbane Winter Carnival and hit the line nicely in his lead up run in the Underwood Stakes.  West Wind Blows was well backed in the Turnbull at his first Australian run and did well to stick on for second there.  Soulcombe produced an incredible win here first up in the Heatherlie, whilst the Japenese runner Breakup is the x factor.

1. Gold Trip

Ran second in this race last year before going onto win the Melbourne Cup.  He was awesome winning the Turnbull Stakes last start.  Providing he’s not flat of that effort then he is the one they have to beat here.  Drawn perfect!

2. Without A Fight

Anthony & Sam Freedman galloper who was very impressive winning two starts at Eagle Farm during the Brisbane Winter.  In particular the second of those where despite pulling his head off he was able to let down put away a pretty handy field.  He’s had one run back and it was a lovely pipe opener in the Underwood Stakes.  Looks set to run well here.

3. Breakup

Japanese runner who was fourth in the Group 1 Tenno Sho in April.  He was then twelfth in the Takarazuke after a difficult run in transit.  The winner of that race Equinox is considered by many as the best horse in the world.  With D Lane in the saddle I’d be showing this horse plenty of respect and factoring him into everything you do.

4. Montefila

Ran a cracking fourth in this race last year and was super winning the Group 2 Hill Stakes at Randwick last start.  Keeps Nash and draws perfect in barrier nine.

5. Francesco Guardi

He’s got back and worked to the line well at his three runs back.  Ready to peak now and gets Jmac!

6. West Wind Blows

Thought this first Australian run in the Turnbull was enormous.  They really ran along in it and he did a great job to stick on for second.  My big concern is whether that has flattened him.  My other concern is the jockey.  This doesn’t look an overly difficult assignment but he’s due a good ride in Australia!

7. Nonconformist

Is on the quick back up after finishing six lengths behind Alligator Blood in last weeks Caulfield Stakes.  He was terrific running second in this race two years ago behind Incentivise.   Barrier 19 is stick, they probably need to push forward and ride for luck.

8. Soulcombe

Sense of timing about this horse.  Was awesome here first up in the Heatherlie.  Didn’t beat much but it was how he won.  Has got back and worked home well in his two runs since and now gets down to 53.5kg.

9. Duke De Sessa

Import trained by Maher and Eustace.  Think the stable had this race mapped out all along.  He was sixth in the Turnbull last start and I love that he gets “Group 1” Johnny Allen on.  Can’t rule him out.

10. Hoo Ya Mal

Looked the winner of the Hill Stakes last start before Montefilia launched and nabbed him.  He will make his own luck somewhere close to the speed.  In the mix.

11. Right You Are

Ran well here in the Underwood, then was a forgive last start when doing some work in the run.  I have my doubts over whether he has the class to win a Caulfield Cup but he is a knock out place hope.

12. Emissary

Was second in last years Melbourne Cup but doesn’t appear to be going well enough.

13. Goldman

His lead in runs haven’t been good enough to be recommending him here.

14. Okita Soushi

Lightly raced six year old trained by Joseph O’Brien in Ireland.  Hard to get a read on his UK form but the O’Brien’s no what it takes to bring one down here and win.  Market your best guide.

15. Fame

He was second in the Queensland Derby in May.  Would be shocked if he won this off his two lead in runs.

16. Bois D’Argent

Was seventh in the Metropolitan last start.  That form doesn’t look good enough,

17. Spirit Ridge

Liked his run in the Metropolitan last start when only reeled in late by Just Fine.  Rough rough hope.

18. Valiant King

The second of the Joseph O’Brien runners.  Was second behind the Melbourne Cup favourite two back and gets Jamie Kah.  I’ll be looking to save on him at the very least.

19. United Nations – 1st Emergency

Is on the quick back up after running second in the Herbert Power last week.  I don’t think that form is good enough.

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

Lewis Oliver’s Tips	Jo Jackson’s Tips	Bryce Parker’s Tips
1 Gold Trip	1 Gold Trip	8 Soulcombe
18 Valiant King	8 Soulcombe	2 Without A Fight
6 West Wind Blows	3 Breakup	1 Gold Trip
8 Soulcombe	10 Hoo Ya Mal	6 West Wind Blows

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	2 Without A Fight
2nd	6 West Wind Blows	0.2 length
3rd	1 Gold Trip	2.2 lengths
4th	16 Bois D’argent	3.95 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratching: Nonconformist.