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The first of the Spring Cups is the Caulfield Cup run at Caulfield on Saturday.
Wins don't come much better than Might And Power 15 years ago in this race. Surely we won't see that in the 2021 Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday?
2021 Caulfield Cup: Nominations
2021 CAULFIELD CUP - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Caulfield Cup is a Group 1 race run under Handicap conditions for open age stayers at Caulfield conducted by the Melbourne Racing Club.
The Caulfield Cup is run over 2400m. It was first run in 1879 and was won by Newminster.
It has been at the mile and a half for all runnings.
The Caulfield Cup was a Principal Race until graded at Group 1 in 1979.
It is the richest 2400m handicap in the world. The Caulfield Cup was worth $5,000,000 in 2021.
There are 18 runners plus emergencies with several races around the world which are exempt from ballot.
Highest recent weights to win are Admire Rakti, Dunaden and Northerly's 58kg (Best Solution 57.5kg) while lightest was Arctic Scent with 49kg in last 30 years.
Only five mares have won in the last 28 years (Verry Elleegant, Jameka, Southern Speed, Ethereal & Arctic Scent).
14 of the last 27 winners have been 4yos (including Best Solution).
Since 2008, five internationals have won - All The Good, Dunaden, Admire Rakti, Best Solution and Mer De Glace.
Tulloch bolted away as a 3yo in 1957. He ran the race and track record. The owner did not want to press on to the Melbourne Cup with the young horse.
Those to do the Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup double include Poseidon, The Trump, Rivette, Rising Fast, Even Stevens, Galilee, Gurner's Lane, Let's Elope, Doriemus, Might And Power and Ethereal.
Big Philou won the Caulfield Cup in 1969 and was warm favourite for the Melbourne Cup when withdrawn close to the race.
Sobar won as a 3yo in 1972 beating the likes of Gunsynd (who was carrying 62kg).
In 1992, Mannerism won courtesy of a great Damien Oliver ride but most remember it more for the ride of Shane Dye on Veandercross. Dye took the kiwi very wide down the side about 800m out and into the straight. He was there to win but weakened the last furlong and missed by a nose.
As part of Godolphin's foray down under, Best Solution gave Saeed bin Suroor his second Caulfield Cup a decade apart following All The Good's victory. Best Solution was a well performed horse around the world winning G1s in Germany before holding on at Caulfield by a nose in 2018.
Japan won for the second time in 2019 when Mer De Glace swept around the field much like Admire Rakti had done five years earlier.
Notable winners of the Caulfield Cup include Verry Elleegant (2020), Mer De Glace (2019), Best Solution (2018), Jameka (2016), Admire Rakti (2014), Dunaden (2012), All The Good (2008), Elvstroem (2004), Mummify (2003), Northerly (2002), Ethereal (2001), Might And Power (1997), Doriemus (1995), Let's Elope (1991), Gurner's Lane (1982), Ming Dynasty (1977/1980), Leilani (1974), Sobar (1972), Big Philou (1969), Tobin Bronze (1967), Galilee (1966), Tulloch (1957), Redcraze (1956), Rising Fast (1954/1955), Tranquil Star (1942), Amounis (1930), Manfred (1926) and Poseidon (1906/1907).
The 2020 Caulfield Cup was won by Verry Elleegant from Anthony Van Dyck and The Chosen One.
