Jameka looked the obvious choice in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday and she certainly lived up to that prediction with an outstanding triumph. She has stamping herself as a serious Melbourne Cup horse.
She was ridden an absolute treat by Nick Hall, who had to waste really hard to get down to the weight, which I’m sure explains why he went off as he did when he knew he had the race won.
She was dominant and there were no excuses from the beaten brigade. I highly doubt anything from this race will turn the tables on her at 3.00pm on the first Tuesday in November.
Scottish was huge in defeat. He was three and four wide early on before McEvoy pressed the button to lead into the strong wind. Every other leader that hasn’t dictated has dropped out, but he stuck on and was so brave. I certainly wouldn’t dismiss him as a Cup horse.
Exospheric is known as quirky and he sure lived up to that. Loomed to get closer to Jameka but he had the head to one side and ducked in – he was all over the shop. There is a Melbourne Cup contender here if Team Freedman can iron out the chinks.
As for the others, I thought Real Love was ridden horribly, Our Ivanhowe is right in the Melbourne Cup mix if rain comes and the Metropolitan form didn’t stand up at all.
I’ll concentrate on the three year old staying events. Most didn’t miss the run of Eleonora last time out at Flemington and she was ridden a treat by Oliver to smash her rivals in the Etheral Stakes (2000m). She proved too good for Tiamo Grace, who was desperately unlucky I thought given she got a fair way back in the run. There is upside with her.
Savvan might have only come off a Kembla win over the cat that is Drachenfels, but she ran well, as did Moqueen. She was vetted arriving on course, so I’m not sure if she was 100 per cent fitness and around Caulfield. I’m keen on her from an Oaks perspective. She’ll love Flemington I suspect.
The Caulfield Classic (2000m) may as well have been the non event classic given the race was gifted to Good Standing on a platter and rightfully he got the job done. Shinn stacked them up in front against the wind and that really helped his cause, as well as the fact that no jockeys wanted to apply pressure.
Rocketeer was very good and almost pulled off a really solid betting move. The trainer did state he wasn’t confident, but the punters were. Derby? Or has he had enough?
I’d be forgiving for a lot of runners who were out the back. I think the one to watch is Kent. Coat wise, he looks to have really good improvement left and I don’t think Caulfield is his track. 2500m at Flemington is going to really suit him I think.
From the first race, don’t sack Sylpheed. I won’t blame Oliver, because he showed initiative, but into the wind and doing all that work made her vulnerable. Given the pattern of the day, her run was huge.
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