Past the post Caulfield wrap

“Caulfield Cup wa, domo arigato” is what trainer Tomoyuki Umeda would have said after his charge, Admire Rakti, scored a stunning win in the Caulfield Cup (2400m).

What that phrase means in English is “As for the Caulfield Cup, thanks a lot”.

I’ll put my hand up straight away. I didn’t think the internationals, in particular the much hyped Japanese raiders, were up to winning any of our majors, and I was brimming with confidence that I was right when I saw Admire Rakti play up badly behind the barriers.

But oh how weird and wonderful the racing game is.

Admire Rakti was three wide for the entire trip with 58kg, with cover, but appeared to travel really well in the run in a race led by Sea Moon and Hawkspur.

Coming to the turn, Rising Romance got the beautiful inside run and looked the winner 500m out, even the last couple of strides. But the Japanese stayer, who came very wide on the home turn with third placegetter Lucia Valentina, savaged the line with purpose under the urgings of the number one rider in Hong Kong, Zac Purton, and got up to win by just under a half length.

Three things I learnt from the Caulfield Cup
1. Never, ever underestimate the Japanese
2. The Australian breeding industry has its pants pulled down once again and something needs to change ASAP
3. James McDonald can hold his head very high

Fontein Ruby did her credentials for the classic no harm with another gritty performance when successful in the inaugural Caulfield Classic (2000m). She was very good considering she did work from the wide barrier and wanted to pull her head off outside surprise leader Merion.

Magicool got held up badly on the turn and wound up late for fifth, ahead of Bachman, who also didn’t have the best of luck in the run. The two popular picks Merion and Kumaon were dreadful. They were the lone two to back up from the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) last week but were just about the first two beaten, so that really doesn’t bode well for the Caulfield Classic and the concept, which was created to encourage Caulfield Guineas runners to back up seven days later.

Still on the Oaks, Set Square burst into calculations for the Crown Oaks (2500m) with a strong win in the Ethereal Stakes (2000m). Aided by a beaut steer from Nick Hall, the daughter of Reset proved too good for hot pot Masstricht, who was given every chance by Dwayne Dunn. Imperial Lass stuck on for third and that trio did clear out from the rest of the pack.

Set Square is not nominated for the Oaks, but given how strong she was at the end of 2000m, connections will surely look at the Wakeful Stakes (2000m) en route to the big one on the Thursday. As for the runner up, she had every chance but didn’t run the 2000m, so I’d probably put a line through her from an Oaks perspective.

Two former Group 1 sprinters resumed in the Caulfield Sprint (1100m) and both looked quite forward in the mounting yard and on the line, even the judge couldn’t separate Bel Sprinter and Miracles Of Life. Bel Sprinter was okay to begin with and hugged the rail looking for luck while Miracles Of Life sat on the speed and made the running.

Shamal Wind was close up in third, and while she keeps running well, she isn’t winning. She is on the barred list from a punting perspective. Big Money, Unpretentious and Driefontein were three runners who were okay behind the top three and will each improve next time out.

Sweet Idea and Tommy Berry put on an absolute clinic in the Tristarc Stakes (1400m), jumping brilliantly from a wide gate to lead on her ear, stack them up in front, kick on the turn and fend off a gallant Girl Guide to win narrowly. Catkins, who had the dream sit behind Sweet Idea, was just plain in third. I think she needs a wet track, otherwise she won’t be winning, because she had every chance here.

May’s Dream and Politeness both got back and were quite good late, in particular Politeness who wanted to lay in really badly throughout the straight but still run on for fifth. Both appear right on track for the Myer Classic (1600m).

Lucky Hussler was a query at 1400m, but Bossy and Darren Weir made sure those qualms were put to bed with a thumping display in the Moonga Stakes (1400m). The horse settled midfield before Bossy peeled out and just got the lovely drag up into the race before letting down 300m out and quickly putting the race away to win by over three lengths, ahead of Under The Louvre and Generalife, who closed off well from the back but were no match for the winner.

If you backed Leebaz like I did, don’t watch the replay because it was a nightmare to watch. He never, ever got a clear crack at them and went to the line under a hold. He did eventually get out and made ground under no pressure. He shouldn’t be sacked.

Contributor kicked off his Australian career for Godolphin with a really dominant win in the David Jones Cup (2000m). Ridden by James McDonald, the former UK stayer had a lovely run behind the speed, then got going 700m out and loomed up to the well supported Noble Protector, put that horse away and won quite comfortably despite wanting to hang in.

Signoff got a check on the home turn and lost all momentum but picked up again late to run on well for third, out bobbing Honorius, who is ticking over nicely but just can’t quite crack it for a win.

Three things I learnt from Caulfield:
1. Contributor is a stayer to be followed very closely
2. It was going to be a tough day after the first race and Azkadella
3. Catkins won’t be winning a Group l if the dry weather remains