Saturday’s $3 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup is under fire thanks to the less-than-stellar field assembled. Are the knockers right?
Michael Lynch penned a column in The Age with the headline “…claims Caulfield Cup lacks glamour, depth and stars“.
The piece stemmed from the defence of the race that Melbourne Racing Cub chairman Mike Symons launched via weekly radio programme Jury Duty, which Lynch also appears on.
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Symons hit back at the claims, running through the competitiveness of horses in the race, and noting that until the last minute, two of the world’s best horses, Highland Reel and Order Of St George, were possibilities to run. Their trainer, Aidan O’Brien, chose the prestigious Arc in Chantilly, France instead.
Racing Victoria’s Racing Operations Manager Paul Bloodworth also hit back at “negative talk” on Twitter, questioning why each year needs to be better than the last:
Part of the negative talk is recognising that even the European horses aren’t quite top line – none of the raiders have won at the elite level. That can’t be denied. There’s also no Japanese horse, which means Caulfield misses out on Japanese punting returns, as flagged yesterday in The Age.
Another part of it is a natural desire for Australia’s racing industry to continue to prove worthwhile on the world stage, as racing in Hong Kong, Dubai, Royal Ascot, and more, prosper and grow.
Perhaps the remaining part is simply seeing what’s coming next week.
Cox Plate wins all the favours: Winx vs Hartnell
On the other hand, the Group 1 WS Cox Plate (2040m) next week has huge pull and will attract global racing interest.
Glamour, depth, and stars are there in spades.
The race is headlined by a showdown between Winx, going for 13 straight wins and who dominated the race last year, and Hartnell, who has shown a freak turn of foot in his last three runs. That’s all the glamour and stars you need.
For depth, throw in Yankee Rose carrying just 47.5kgs on the weight-for-age scale, Black Heart Bart, who kept Winx honest enough last week, Palentino, who beat Black Heart Bart before struggling in the Epsom and should go better the Victorian way around, and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Lucia Valentina.
That’s not even mentioning French-trained Vadamos, a last-start Group 1 winner over 1600m in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp over 1600m at Chantilly. The bay stallion has collected eight wins and five placings from 18 starts, is trained by Andre Faber and will be ridden by Damien Oliver.
Why’s the Caulfield Cup down?
The race is down in numbers, at one stage looking like a field smaller than 18 would start. By third acceptances, only 30 horses were left, well down on previous years.
While the field does have plenty of Group 1 winners, formlines are a bit mixed and the low end of the race looks soft.
There’s no one big obvious reason that can explain it all, especially given the lucrative prizemoney on offer.
Still, there are factors. Money can’t buy everything.
One is the Melbourne Cup. It shows no sign of falling out of favour and all eyes are on it across the full year. Even it, though, has suffered a downturn in numbers.
It’s reasonably well-known that staying races in Australia and New Zealand are suffering from falling numbers and distance races are being reduced in length. Even the Irish St Leger, in stayer-rich Europe, had just four runners.
Another reason is the Cox Plate. It holds higher sway because the winner isn’t penalised for the Melbourne Cup with additional weight by Racing Victoria’s handicapper. The Caulfield Cup is, and the winner on the weekend will expect a penalty if they are headed on to the Melbourne Cup. That doesn’t suit owners and trainers who very carefully plot courses to the Melbourne Cup that are able to duck the handicapper.
The Cox Plate is just one of four races exempted for the Melbourne Cup. The Caulfield Cup is not one of these races, as a handicap.
Symons explained the MRC would be keen to have the penalty removed, and have attempted this before, but that would likely involve another factor that’s hurt the race: cooperation in Victoria.
Each club in Melbourne is its own fiefdom. The biggest is the Victorian Racing Club, the VRC, who own Flemington and the Melbourne Cup Carnival. They don’t let much out. They announced last year that the Group 3 Bart Cummings (2400m) would become an exempt race. Guess where that race is run?
Patrick Smith penned a quality column on the problems for racing’s keen self-interest. It’s worth a read, even during this busy Spring Carnival.
Smith pins the blame for disjointed behaviour on Racing Victoria, who are unable to corral all parties.
Racing NSW is certainly in a different position, having moved to better represent racing across the whole state.
Criticism says that too much is decided up top as clubs get less license. It can’t be both ways.
Great races aren’t just about the stars
The Caulfield Cup remains a great race. One of the big three majors. One that every owner, trainer, and jockey wants to win at least once. And one that a punter won’t mind winning more than once either.
Just like the men’s 100m final at the Olympics, it’s a must watch. It’s nice to have Usain Bolt in the field if he’s fit and firing, but without him, it’s still a massive event. (Click to Tweet)
The formlines from the Caulfield Cup to the Melbourne Cup alone make it worth watching, and the value in the race if you go around race favourite Jameka makes it huge. Exotics are likely to pay a fortune, with plenty hoping to land juicy trifectas and first fours.
On paper, the race looks like it’ll be either Jameka, or a lottery.
She’s carrying 52.5kgs and is the $3.50 early favourite, after her second behind Hartnell last start in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m). While she was comfortably beaten by the flying Godolphin horse, she thrashed everything else behind her, and won the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield before that.
It’s by no means certain though. Given she has missed some big races where she was favourite in the past, it will be interesting to see what the form analysts can offer. (The Roar will have full in-depth previews in the coming days.)
European raiders Scottish and Exospheric are next in the market, along with Real Love, who won the JRA Cup, each at around $9.
German horse Articus, from the Andreas Wohler stable, is $10, blue-blood stayer Sir Isaac Newton for Aidan O’Brien is $13, while Sir John Hawkwood, the Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m) winner, is $15, rounding up most of the top chances.
Given it’s a handicap, roughies have thrown their hat in the ring due to the lower numbers of entrants this year.
Big Memory wouldn’t be the worst $80 shot going around, and Go Dreaming, a country cup horse, goes around at $201 or more carrying just 50.5kgs but is prohibitively close in weights to classier types. Could one of those horses do a Prince of Penzance and steal a victory?
Gates crash back at 4:30pm local time.
michael steel
Guest
Jameka, an Oaks winner wins the Caulfield Cup. History will say a good horse won and the placegetters were good internationals. If the Newcastle Cup winner had won then the knockers would have a case.
michael steel
Guest
My angle, it's not a bad field it's just that some horses like Tarzino at $31.00 are not in good form. in two weeks time there will be the stock standard annual argument come up about too many international horses in the Melbourne Cup and how to rectify that problem. My answer Have half million dollar Group 1 (or maybe 2) race over 3200 on Cup day and you'll get an all Aussie field.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
You're right about Sangster, Sheek. And G'day yourself mate! I know what you're saying about the punters. I found that in the Melbourne Cup last year. My tickets were burned up by Prince of Penzance, so there was little joy at Michelle Payne breaking through post-race. As time went on though, you forget about your wager and take more of the tradition and history into play. Well, mostly. I think that's the way it's been and the way it will be for time immemorial.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Rejigging is always worth a look mate!
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Thanks for the thoughts KV, always worth a read as Sheek has said as well. We basically agree although I'm saying it's a little weaker - mainly in the tail that drags on bit... but who knows? That's what handicaps are for, and that's why Ragamuffin keeps going around :)
andrew
Guest
classic case in point being the first horses from all too hard hit the race-track this weekend. all too hard is a 7yo,
sheek
Roar Guru
Kv joef, Always enjoy your thoughts.
kv joef
Roar Guru
We often agree Tristan but not this time. this weekend sees the running of Champion's Day at Ascot that has attracted the cream of Europe from Sprint to Long Distance - every race a beauty. In 3 weeks the Breeder's Cup Series takes place in the States that collects the best in North America and whoever else shows up. Basically these are the two biggest single days of racing in the Northern Hemisphere, if not the world, and they happen over the next 3 weeks. Not a lot of blue ribbon stuff left around. I believe, the Melb. people have done remarkably well and the CaulCup is of reasonable/good strength. The two at the top of the weights have won 7 G1s and there are a few other G1 winners as well. Of the Europeans, Isaac Newton looks the best and he was running extremely well before his last start falter. He is about 4 lens off Highland Reel and that probably gives him a chance and he is a real little fighting bulldog. Hartnell would have been an ATM in this but i suppose a bit of wish'in-n-hope'in won't go astray saturday week As for the Cox Plate, we are incredibly lucky to have the BEST MARE IN THE WORLD on show in the Cox. incidentally, my personal global ratings have Winx with only California Chrome above her. Cannot believe they (IFHA) have Frosted rated at 126 against her 127 --- give me a break ... and i'd have no problem unloading on Winx to absolutely level A-Shin-Hakari (fancy rating a quitter like him on 129) and a couple of 3yr-olds on 127 with her - Travers winner Arrogate (they're kidding - i won't even bother) but maybe only French champ Almanzor deserving genuine competitive respect outside CC. So, i really like the race (CaulCup). Full of interest and the way the race is run - possibility of a pace bias and of course it's Caulfield ... well it's a good race. At Flemington, i reckon Waller's 2 would head my list but at Caulfield i'll wait until the first few are run :)
sheek
Roar Guru
That's part of the problem TC123, No-one has patience anymore. Everyone wants instant gratification. Run your horses at 2 & 3 over short distances, retire them quickly & get them back into the breeding cycle before they get injured. Obviously there is a minority of people benefiting enormously from this practice, but the industry as a whole is being short-changed. So the big winners are the breeders, uber-wealthy owners, TV broadcasters & corporate bookies. It's going to be interesting to see what happens in the next 10-15 years. It's likely the Melbourne Cup will only survive by taking a distance cut.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Overseas owners are wary of the perceived rough nature and firm tracks here. We've had two horses die in the last two years as a result of their Melbourne Cup runs, and more injured in the CC or MC
no one in particular
Roar Guru
local owners don’t want to buy stayers, so the breeders don’t’ produce them. Owners wanting the quick fix of buying tried horses out of Europe has become uneconomical for the time being. The quality of horses that Waterhouse, Waller, Williams, Freedman, OTI, etc bought are no longer available at that price. As a result, they are now spending the same money, but on inferior cattle. Overseas trainers want to be giftwrapped a handicap Overseas
TC123
Guest
Having moved here from NZ a few years back I have noticed the lack of options for milers-stayers on the average race card. A 1400m race would test the majority of the local breds. Anyway, how does Sacred Master look at 30-1 for Saturday. Seems to have been overlooked by most.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
It has always seemed senseless to me that both Sydney’s Autumn Carnival and Melbourne’s Spring carnivals get the scheduling wrong. The group 1’s should be programmed so that the distance of the races increase through the carnival so trainers can build up their horses’ preparation. A horse like Hartnell could very likely contest the Cox Plate, the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup if they were scheduled in that order and the Caulfield Cup did not carry a penalty. Why the administrators proactively make it unattractive for our best horses defies logic.
sheek
Roar Guru
Gidday Tristan, Be careful what we wish for, because it might come true. For the past forty years there has been a gradual shift in both Australia & New Zealand away from the emphasis on breeding top middle-distance & long distance thoroughbreds to pumping out sprinters & milers in rogue proportions. I believe it was the British owner/breeder Robert Sangster who initially poo-pooed Australia's then obsession with middle & long distance handicaps. Unfortunately it seems, too many other owners & breeders 'down under' listened to him. Now the hypocrisy of Australian racing is laid bare. The Caufiled Cup & Melbourne Cup are middle & long distance races designed for quality staying thoroughbreds, but Australia & NZ is suddenly bereft of them. Only the injection of international competitors gives these races any semblance of credibility. It will be interesting to see what happens when the internationals lose interest in our Spring Carnival & turn their attention elsewhere. The Melbourne Cup & Caulfield Cup, if left to rely on local horses, will be obliged to reduce their distances to 2000m & 1600m respectively, or even, shock horror, to 1600m & 1200m respectively. To accommodate this, the leading sprint race in the Autumn, the Newmarket Hcp, will have to be reduced from 1200m to 1000m, then possibly 800m! We reap what we sow, & the Australian & NZ owners & breeders can suck on their own short-sighted greed in creating this calamity. When I first started following racing back in the late 60s, there was a much better balance between stayers & sprinters, handicappers & wfa-ers. Not anymore, our racing is becoming as bland as American racing. The other problem is the punters, like Johnny Bulldog above. As long as he backs the winner he doesn't care. And this is not a criticism, but most punters aren't interested in aesthetics or history or tradition. Only if they win or lose on the punt. I recall my wife's uncle telling me years ago he, 'post' punts. That is, he sees where the money is going & places his bets as late as possible before start time. He says most times he doesn't know the horses, jockeys, trainers, distance or track conditions. All he cares about is where the money is going. Anyone who cares about the variety of racing, the pageantry, the history & tradition, forget it. It's all about making a buck. We might as well be betting on flies crawling up a wall. Sad but true.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Quite right TC123. The problems are many... one particular circular problem is when distance races such as the Adelaide Cup etc get shortened because the quality of the race drops the longer the distance. It's a dim future when that happens. Still, we're fortunate that the biggest three open races here are all longer than 2000m and until that changes there's always some light at the end of the tunnel.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Hope you read more than the headline Razzar!
Tristan Rayner
Editor
I like Articus, I like Andreas Wohler, I think Australian Bloodstock are canny and good blokes to boot. I think Articus is under the odds.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Do let me know if you get the first four, Mr Bullldog. I might need a loan!
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Hmm, it'll be a 7:30am race here, Geoff. Perfect accompaniment for a cup of coffee and some thick brown bread! But I'd still love to be on course... can you tell the lads to hurry up with teleportation?
TC123
Guest
Until the breeding industry here gets interested in breeding stayers then these big cup races are going to be full of overseas horses and the odd good local horse amongst a fair bit of rubbish. I find it amazing that Melbourne cup winner Shocking couldn't find a home here and ended up in NZ. No one wants to wait the extra 18 months for stayers.