3 minute read
Caulfield Cup Carnival gets underway with four Group 1s.
Caulfield is gearing up for an unmissable day of racing as the Stella Artois Caulfield Cup Carnival gets underway with four Group 1s, Australia's most exciting horse and a 30 year repeat for one champion hoop on the card for Neds Caulfield Guineas Day.
The $2 million Neds Caulfield Guineas (1600m) sets up a traditional Melbourne versus Sydney clash with Ole Kirk looking to join some greats of the turf in claiming the Golden Rose/Caulfield Guineas double. Fellow Golden Rose challengers King's Legacy and Mamaragan will also make the trip South, as will Chris Waller's ex-factor colt Mo'Unga. Local hopes are led by Neds Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) winner Crosshaven and Neds Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) hero Tagaloa.
Sydney filly Hungry Heart's acceptance in the $1 million Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) unseats unbeaten South Australian filly Instant Celebrity as the long-standing race favourite. That pair are well clear of the rest of the field in Neds' market, with Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) runner-up Personal, ridden by Damien Oliver, set to fly the flag for Victoria.
Oliver looks set for a Guineas Day to remember, riding not only Mo'unga and Personal but also Australian racing's new poster boy Russian Camelot in the $1million Neds Stakes (2000m). The horse's devastating Underwood Stakes (1800m) victory here a fortnight ago set tongues wagging and his title as Australia's premier galloper will be undeniable if he is able to again justify his short quote and repeat the dose on Saturday.
While Russian Camelot has scared off all but five rivals in the Neds Stakes, a healthy field of 15 has been assembled in the $500,000 Lexus Toorak Handicap (1600m). Oliver remains a live chance of claiming all four Group 1's, teaming up with Cascadian for James Cummings and Godolphin with last-start winners Junipal and I Am Superman also entered. A small but select field will also aim to win their way into next week's $5 million Stella Artois Caulfield Cup (2400m) with victory in the $300,000 Group 2 Neds Herbert Power Stakes (1400m)
Racing fans will be tuning in from places near and far including Stella Artois Caulfield Cup Carnival Ambassador Olympia Valance, who despite holidaying in the North Queensland Outback, will not be missing a second of the racing action at The Heath.
Her hot tip? Take the opportunity to step into some fun spring wear for the day. The MRC's all new digital fashion competition, the Social Style Stakes, kicks off tomorrow, asking socially-distanced racing fans to step out of their loungewear and get into the Carnival Spirit, dressing themselves, or their living rooms, for the chance to win a share in $20,000 in prizes.
With four categories; Ladies, Lads, Squad and the newest category, My Home Style, open for entries, simply register via mrc.racing.com, post a story to your Instragram using the category hashtags and showing off your race day look, or spread. Add a Carnival filter to complete your look.
Don't forget the must-have accessory of the season, the 2020 Stella Artois Caulfield Cup Carnival Pin, which supports MRC Charity Partner Ronald McDonald House Charities Victoria and Tasmania, available from mrc.racing.com.
Hundreds of lucky Melburnian fans including Campbell Brown, Travis Cloke, Jack Silvagni, and Jane Bunn, will be set up in style with their Carnival Super Boxes; home-delivered boxes of food and drinks, curated and prepared by MRC Executive Chef Julian Robertshaw and the MRC Hospitality team.
Each Super Box is designed to transport your tastebuds into a trackside marquee at Caulfield, complete with fresh, locally sourced produce and seafood, chilled Stella Artois, wine or French Champagne.
