Thinking of Caulfield Stks Stardom

Many a top horse has won the Caulfield Stakes and quite often it supplies a future big race winner in the field somewhere.

Some of the greatest names in our racing history have taken this race as part of their Spring glory. Strangely it hasn't always been a great guide to the Cox Plate for the winners despite it sitting two weeks before the MV test and at WFA as well. Let's try to find who will be drinking the champers on Saturday.

• 2006 – CASUAL PASS 6g (Snippets x Raami's Magic) ($13)

Jockey: Nash Rawiller, Trainer: Mathew Ellerton

Barrier: 3, Weight: 58.0kg

Gross Time: 2:02.69, 600m Sectional: 34.91

Margin: 0.1L, Track: Good, Starters: 7

2nd: Pompeii Ruler (57.0kg), 3rd: El Segundo (58.0kg)

Timeform Rating: 121

This remarkable horse has come back from more problems than Burke and Wills faced. Injuries possibly curtailed a very promising career – so good he was unusually able to win the Mackinnon as a 3yo. Pompeii Ruler led while Nash Rawiller accepted Casual Pass needed a sit so sat in behind. Last year's hero El Segundo was on the Cox Plate trail and perched himself near last which wasn't a bad place to be with good pace evolving. However, as the field veered to shun the fence, it made life hard for those wishing to make late ground. Pompeii Ruler had a kick but Rawiller didn't give up and Casual Pass made 2L in the last 80m. The form turned out alright as 2nd and 3rd here would run the reverse in the Plate, being nosed out by Fields of Omagh.

• 2007 – MALDIVIAN 5g (Zabeel x Shynzi) ($4.25)

Jockey: Michael Rodd, Trainer: Mark Kavanagh

Barrier: 2, Weight: 59.0kg

Gross Time: 2:01.97, 600m Sectional: 35.94

Margin: 1.3L, Track: Good, Starters: 7

2nd: Miss Finland (55.5kg), 3rd: Anamato (55.5kg)

Timeform Rating: 125

For the third time in four years a short priced, back marking favourite got left flat footed and failed to make much impression on the on-pace, solid stayers. While Starcraft ('04) and El Segundo ('06) simply found the margin too great to overcome, we had a situation in '07 that the best and most in form horse was in fact not the favourite. Maldivian was in a complete purple patch. His obliteration of the JRA Cup field saw him 2nd elect here but nowhere near Miss Finland in the market. Michael Rodd was pleased to let Rubiscent go early with Williams on Miss Finland in a striking position of 5th, some 4L off Maldivian. The Oaks and Slipper winner hit her famous flat spot at the 500 just at the instant Rodd let the big boy roll forward without any urging and within his own steam. Others like Anamato and Maybe Better picked off some late turf but hardly made an impact on what was a domineering effort. Sadly that was Maldivian's last official start for the Spring as he was shockingly withdrawn at the loading process of the Caulfield Cup when he reared and horribly gashed his neck.

• 2008 – DOURO VALLEY 7g (Encosta de Lago x Opaque) ($41)

Jockey: James Winks, Trainer: Danny O'Brien

Barrier: 4, Weight: 59.0kg

Gross Time: 2:04.37, 600m Sectional: 35.20

Margin: 0.3L, Track: Dead, Starters: 7

2nd: Pompeii Ruler (59.0kg), 3rd: Guillotine (58.0kg)

Timeform Rating: 121

Twelve months earlier in the EI restricted Cup carnival, Douro Valley did a very good job of cashing in. He won the Naturalism, was 4th in the Turnbull then was only beaten by his stablemate in the dramatic Caulfield Cup. He hadn't won a race since that period but he finally got back to his distance range and the track he runs best at. Previous winner Casual Pass comfortably got the lead from DV but around the top of the hill at the 900m mark, James Winks took him to the front. There was a soft run available as several Cups horses were not wanting to go too early. Turning, he rolled on as Guillotine got out, Largo Lad hit the rail and Pompeii Ruler tried but they all went up and down in the one spot. Subsequently Douro couldn't repeat his Cup run of '07 and so decided to miss Flemington.

• 2009 – WHOBEGOTYOU 4g (Street Cry x Temple Of Peace) ($2.10 fav)

Jockey: Damien Oliver, Trainer: Mark Kavanagh

Barrier: 5, Weight: 58.0kg

Gross Time: 2:01.57, 600m Sectional: 34.86

Margin: 0.8L, Track: Good, Starters: 8

2nd: Heart Of Dreams (58.0kg), 3rd: Vision And Power (59.0kg)

Timeform Rating: 127

While his prep was aimed solely at the Cox Plate, being a Moonee Valley specialist that was a good idea, connections weren't going to knock back a win or two along the way. The first came in the Dato Tan before placing in the Underwood. But now was focus time and it was out to the 2000m where there was a little question mark. While last early, it was a small field and Oliver settled him midfield. Like last year Douro Valley rolled forward. Things looked a trifle interesting down the side as he was cluttered away but Olly had faith that runs would appear. Strangely Heart of Dreams raced behind him and despite Newitt desperately trying to get around Whobe before the bend to pocket him, the run was established, he took the gaps and came away to the roar of most punters. Master O'Reilly made good late ground as he always seemed to do. Next start the Cox Plate – was he up to the pressure?

• 2010 – SO YOU THINK 4h (High Chaparral x Triassic) ($1.40 fav)

Jockey: Steve Arnold, Trainer: Bart Cummings

Barrier: 3, Weight: 58.0kg

Gross Time: 2:02.45, 600m Sectional: 33.50

Margin: 3.5L, Track: Good, Starters: 6

2nd: Alcopop (59.0kg), 3rd: Whobegotyou (59.0kg)

Timeform Rating: 131

It was almost tiresome watching the big horse with the flowing mane treat his rivals with contempt - certainly unfair. It was like everyone knew it so why bother. We hadn't seen a WFA horse at 2000m this good since the likes of Northerly and Sunline battled it out over several seasons. In the Yalumba only six ran as many were scared off. Red Ruler took it up as SYT tagged him up. Still controlling the race to the 500m, Arnold wound it up and took the sprint right out of the competition as Whobegotyou just didn't get the trip as was seen by Alcopop running over him. The class told and his poetry headed to the Cox Plate for a date with destiny. So now was it just a fait accompli for the Plate or was the training already aiming at the first Tuesday?

RACE PROFILE

o With such small field sizes, averaging about 8 horses, barriers are basically inconsequential.

o It had not been a great race for 4yos recently. In last 22 Yalumbas only 5 x 4yos have won. But prior to that they won 6 in a row.

o Last 3yo to win was Mighty Kingdom in 1979.

o Last mare to win was Tristarc in 1985.

o Last 10 Winners Most Prevalent Age of winner – 4yo & 5yo (4 times)

o Last 10 Years Winningest Barrier Range <1-4> - 7 times

o Last 10 Winners Average Price of winner – $8

o Breakdown of winners – 7 geldings & 3 entires

o Last 10 Years Underwood Stks / Caulfield Stks double – So You Think ('10), Northerly ('01)

o Last 10 Years JRA Cup / Caulfield Stks double – Maldivian ('07), El Segundo ('05)

o Last 10 Years Easter Cup / Caulfield Stks double – Maldivian ('07), Casual Pass ('06)

o Last 10 Years Warwick Stks / Caulfield Stks double – Lonhro ('03)

o Last 10 Years Chelmsford Stks / Caulfield Stks double – Lonhro ('03), Lonhro ('02)

o Last 10 Years George Main Stks / Caulfield Stks double – Lonhro ('03)

o Last 10 Years Feehan (Dato Tan) Stks / Caulfield Stks double – Whobegotyou ('09), Northerly ('01)

o Over the last 30 years only 7 horses have done the Yalumba (Caulfield) Stks / Cox Plate double (So You Think, Northerly, Might & Power, Almaarad, Bonecrusher, Kingston Town x 2)

SUMMARY & SELECTIONS

The Caulfield Stks has struggled in recent years to garner good sized fields and while 11 is hardly big, at least it has some depth.

It's also one of the most eclectic group of horses in recent years with horses emanating originally from England, Ireland, New Zealand, Hong Kong as well as Perth and Adelaide.

You'd think Lights Of Heaven might roll over from the wide draw with Playing God, At First Sight, Descarado now upped in trip and Sincero not far away. The inside might not help a European.

Many of these won't have this as their main target but they'll be approaching peak fitness. However with Sincero he's right there now and you can almost say it was a case of a total forget run last week.

Many thought he could overcome that inside gate but not only does he not enjoy them, the best of the track was out wide.

The Umatillas can get more than 2000m, the fitness should not be a query, he draws well for him and importantly he's backed up three times in his life (including the Stradbroke) for three wins. It's a good Caulfield Stks without being a great one and he has a good chance.

Again the Naturalism Stks form has to be given top credence as many are going well next runs.

At First Sight was fantastic coming from the rear which is unusual as he'd always raced on the pace when a 3yo in Europe under the Ballydoyle banner.

Will be fitter and could he use more speed this time as this race has been won from the front in all bar Whobegotyou recently? You wouldn't give away the two gate easily.

If you could say he was a certainty of repeating his run of 12 months back, Alcopop would nearly win this on ratings.

He might just be a 2000m horse, has not run badly any times this prep and seems to go best off these 3 week breaks. There's no pressure on him in this race.

Selection: (6) SINCERO

Hardest to Beat: (4) AT FIRST SIGHT

Best Roughie: (5) ALCOPOP