3 minute read
The 2019 Caulfield Cup is a very open affair and one of the reasons for this is the number of overseas based and bred runners.
One of the best is Constantinople, formerly with Aidan O'Brien in Ireland and a son of Galileo. He's had 8 starts for 2 wins and 5 placings in very good company. It may be that he isn't quite a fighting finisher having chalked up three seconds in his last three starts. He's on 7.60 in our morning line.
Mer de Glace would be a lot shorter if he hadn't drawn the car park but there are a lot of good horses out wide. He's by Rulership and has won all 5 starts this year, with Damian Lane on two of these. 13.50 could be generous. His jockey knows the horse and will be well prepared for coping with the draw. Apart from the draw the trip could be a question as he hasn't run more than 2200m but the Japanese train them so well to cope with things like this.
Mustajeer used to be with Ger Lyons in Ireland and paired with Colin Keane. He's now with Kris Lees and will be ridden by Damian Oliver. He won the Ebor at York which is a very good prep for this and is 14.50.
Mirage Dancer was with Sir Michael Stoute and is now with Busutting and Young, who spent time with Stoute prior to the horse's departure. At his last start he was second at Goodwood to Desert Encounter who franked that form by winning the Pattison Canadian International at Woodbine last weekend. He came second in a G2 at Newmarket over 2400m so the trip shouldn't be a problem.
Gold Mount is much travelled as he used to be with Richard Gibson in Hong Kong. He was fourth in the Dubai Gold Cup and then went on to win a Listed at York and came second in the Silver Cup at York. He's handy but this is probably a higher level. 28.50.
Red Verdon comes from the great Ed Dunlop yard and will be sporting the colours of the Hon. R.J. Arculli which were made so memorable by Red Cadeaux. He raced against Gold Mount in the Silver Cup and won but then was well beaten by Mustajeer in the Ebor. His form is patchy. Pat Cosgrave is coming out for the ride. 47.00.
One of the others to note on the breeding is Wolfe, a Japanese bred now with Waterhouse & Bott, who is by Novellist out of a Sunday Silence mare. Won the Coongy on Wednesday and comes out of gate 5 and has a very light weight.
