3 minute read
There's a number of international runners coming to Caulfield this Saturday with the hope of not just doing well but getting into more races this Spring.
The first of these appear in the Weekend Hussler Stakes, a Listed race over 1400m, and that is Comicas, a Godolphin horse from the UK yard of Charlie Appleby and James Doyle will be back to take the ride.
Comicas was born in the US in March 2013 and is by Distorted Humor. He's done a lot of his racing at Meydan and this year had a record of 2-1-2-9 with the last race showing him to have signs of EiPH. While these were all over 1200, he did quite a few races over 1400m as a 3yo. This is a serious horse from a serious stable and with a quote of 4.60 has to be respected.
The other internationally bred runner in this race is Fierce Impact, who is a dual acceptor and supposed to be going to the Mile in Sydney.
The Toorak Handicap 1600m has the Godolphin Jungle Cat who recently won the Rupert Clarke. This is up in trip which is the only query however he's drawn well and has the speed to be prominent. James Doyle will take the ride again.
Radipole is by Rock of Gibraltar and was transferred from J-C Rouget's yard in France to Mike Moroney but has yet to hit the headlines.
Lord Langley is by Deep Impact which must be why he's here. In Japan he had a good year as a 5yo but he's now 7 and so far nothing memorable.
Fierce Impact is also by Deep Impact but we understand he will run in Sydney as he's just the emergency here.
The Ladbroke Stakes G1 is over 2000m and has a large number of raiders. Godolphin's Benbatl is trained by Saeed bin Suroor. He's a 2014 colt by Dubawi (IRE)-Nahrain (GB)(Selkirk (USA). Suroor wasn't having much luck at home so took some horses to Germany and Benbatl was the winner of a G1 at Munich in July. He then finished 5th at York in a tough race. Pat Cosgrave is coming out to ride, and with the inside draw has a really good chance. 6.00.
Tosen Basil is Japanese bred by Harbinger out of a Fuji Kiseki mare. He was 3rd in the Hong Kong Vase last December and was transferred to Darren Weir's care in 2018 and this will be his third start for Weir. $13 could be interesting.
Harlem started his racing life in France with top trainer Andre Fabre. He came to the Hayes-Dabernig team in March 2017. Not really showing much of late.
Homesman is by War Front out of a Red Ransom mare. Originally with Aidan O'Brien he won his maiden at Dundalk. in 2017 as a 3yo he had quite a good year winning the Galinule and running 3rd in the Belmont Invitational. He was purchased by Lloyd Williams and transferred to Liam Howley and won the Mornington Cup Prelude and the Underwood. Should have a very good chance here.
Blair House is another Godolphin-Appleby runner - he's by Pivotal out of a Dubawi mare and has had several encounters with Benbatl. This is his first start since March in Dubai and he may need the run.
The Cliffsofmoher (name rearranged because of a similarly named horse here) is a notable runner from the Aidan O'Brien yard. By Galileo out of Wave (Dansili) he's been very consistent and had plenty of exposure at G1 level. His last run was a respectable 3rd in the Eclipse Stake, Mark Zahra has the ride as Ryan Moore is in Sydney. 11.00 is very good value. He descends from Urban Sea, like the first 8 in this year's Arc.
Invictus Prince is probably running in Sydney.
