Caulfield Cup Tips - Runner-by-Runner Guide for the Spring Carnival showpiece
- Caulfield Cup: Key race over 2400m at Caulfield
- Favorites include Zardozi, Eliyass and Positivity
- Race offers a mix of local & international talent under handicap conditions
One the four major races on the Australian racing calendar, the Group 1 Caulfield Cup is run over 2400m at Caulfield racecourse under handicap conditions.
First run in 1879 the race has been won by some champion thoroughbreds including Tulloch (1957), Might And Power (1997) and Verry Elleegant (2020).
Some very good locals and Internationals have accepted for this year’s edition and we’ve gone through every runner below.
1.Kalapour (4)
The Kris Lees trained gelding has not threatened in three runs so far this campaign but he will be nearing peak fitness toward his main target this spring in the Caulfield Cup.
The son of War Command is a Group 1 winner at this distance when he won the Tancred Stakes earlier this year and he’s drawn to get a nice run in transit from barrier four.
2.Buckaroo (8)
The former import has simply gone to another level this campaign having been competitive without winning in previous campaigns.
He won his first Group 1 at this track in the Underwood Stakes and was only narrowly denied behind Via Sistina in the Turnbull at Flemington.
The 2400m is the main concern but he’ll love the drop in weight.
3.Circle Of Fire (13)
The 2024 Sydney Cup winner is crying out for extra distance and he gets it now.
He won the Group 2 Chairman Stakes over 2600m third up last campaign so he’ll be redy to peak now and he represents great each way value at his current price.
4.Warp Speed (19)
The Japanese have sent over this progressive six-year-old and when that happens we simply have to take notice.
He has been placed in multiple Group races in Japan and he’ll only improve on whatever he produces as he gets out to 3200m in the Melbourne Cup.
Look for him late.
5.Huetor (7)
Was beaten just over a length in the 2024 Doomben Cup and was placed behind Buckaroo when resuming here at Caulfield.
I’m not convinced he will run a strong 2400m and he’s one I’m happy to take on.
6.Warmonger (16)
Has been well beaten in two Group 1 races so far this prep but it was a similar case last campaign until he got out to a longer distance.
Of course he was placed in the South Australian Derby before winning the QLD Derby by 10 lengths so I wouldn’t be surprised if he took a huge step forward now he gets out to 2400m.
7.Eliyass (21)
A very progressive staying horse out of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable who put together five wins in a row including his first two this campaign.
Managed to place when stepping up to Group 1 level in the Turnbull Stakes and everything points to him handling the 2400m.
He was a bit of a sitting duck in the Turnbull when he sat on pace but if the track plays like it did on Guineas day, it may be tough to make up ground.
8.Land Legend (1)
Broke through for his first Group 1 victory in the Metropolitan at Randwick two weeks ago but will be required to carry 2kg more in this event.
Should be fit enough now and the 2400m is perfect for him.
9.Young Werther (10)
This son of Tavistock has been a consistent performer right throughout his career and he has placed five times from 11 attempts in Group 1 races.
Dropped back in grade to get a win on the board two back and was beaten just 2.5 lengths in the Turnbull Stakes which is the premium form leading into a Caulfield Cup and he drops 2.5kg on that.
10.Duke De Sessa (6)
Went over the line with Eliyass in the Turnbull after a very similar run and I loved the way he ran right through the line and never gave in.
Placed in the Group 2 Zipping Classic at this track and distance during his last campaign but the issue I have is that he’s had eight goes at the top level without placing.
11.Knight’s Choice (14)
Last win came in an open handicap at Doomben over 2000m in December last year but he did place in three stakes races over the winter period in Queensland.
Was well beaten in the Underwood and Turnbull and would need to improve dramatically to be any chance.
12.Muramasa (5)
Has placed in both starts this campaign but at a much lower level.
This is a huge step up in class but he does get in with a lightweight and has drawn well in barrier five.
13.Zardozi (12)
Was placed twice at Group 1 level in the autumn as a three-year-old and profiles as the perfect Caulfield Cup horse now at four.
She raced very dour in her first three starts this campaign before being beaten by the barest of margins in the Group 1 Metropolitan two weeks ago and meets the winner of that race Land Legend, 3kg better at the weights.
14.Coco Sun (20)
The 2024 South Australian Derby winner has contested two Group 1 races at weight-for-age leading into the Caulfield Cup and has been solid in both.
The distance shouldn’t be an issue but barrier 20 does not help her chances.
15.Deny Knowledge (17)
Finished five lengths off Buckaroo in the Underwood Stakes but then she won the Group 1 Might And Power last Saturday where it was a huge advantage when using the inside lane on speed.
The majority of her races have been spaced out throughout her career so I have a query on the quick back up but barrier 17 shouldn’t be an issue if she goes forward.
16.Valiant King (18)
Finished just over five lengths behind Without A Fight in the last year’s Caulfield Cup and has since joined the Chris Waller stable.
Has been beaten over 20 lengths in two starts this campaign and would need to improve.
17.Positivity (9)
Finished second in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks over 2400m in March and is a two time Group 3 winner in Australia.
Her run in the Bart Cummings two weeks ago was excellent considering the horses made their ways to the barriers, were brought back to the tie up stalls, and then back out there after storms forced a delay
If there is one well down in the weights that could surprise, it could be this mare.
18.Sayedaty Sadaty (2)
Has just the one win from 10 career starts but was placed in a bunch of Stakes races in England as a three-year-old.
Made up good ground when fifth in the Epsom Derby despite being beaten seven lengths but it doesn’t get much better form references than that race.
You’d be crazy to not give him a chance considering his good draw and just 50kg.
Verdict
1st: No. 13 Zardozi
2nd: No. 7 Eliyass
3rd: No. 17 Positivity
4th: No. 18 Sayedaty Sadaty
Zardozi
Each-Way
@13/2 - 3 Units
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