Preview & Trifecta - Caulfield Cup 2017
Johannes Vermeer In Lead For The Iconic Cup
The Caulfield Cup Carnival’s flagship event, the $3.15 million Group 1
Caulfield Cup, is the world’s richest turf handicap over 2400 metres and attracts a truly global field every year. Aidan O'Brien’s charge Johannes Vermeer is the current favourite but there are other leading contenders like Humidor, Bonneval and Amelie’s Star close behind for choice.
Humidor can hold his own among the leading contenders, but he’s probably not enough to frighten the favourite. Marmelo has several high-rating performances on his racing resume and under Hugh Bowman, he is likely to finish in the top five. Johannes Vermeer will be tough to beat. Following another poor effort in the Craven Plate last weekend He’s Our Rokkii may not be in his top form for the Caulfield Cup. And given Jon Snow’s form currently, the question is whether Jon Snow has the upside to go to a new level that will likely be required to win the Caulfield Cup. It would not surprise to see Sir Isaac Newton run better than the current market suggests, but it is tough to see him winning.
Ventura Storm has had an ideal preparation for the 9-carat gold Caulfield Cup alone worth A$155,000. Wicklow Brave is back in Australia following his luckless run in the Melbourne Cup 12 months ago. But even with Joao Moreira it will be a challenge for him to stay in the race to win. Inference didn’t produce his best last Spring until he got to 2400 metres, but this field may be a challenge even for the best.
Whereas, Abbey Marie, Single Gaze and Boom Time will not be disgraced, but it would be a definite surprise to see them win. Although Bonneval can be a tough horse to beat, her last start was concerning. She is still one of the leading contenders and deserves to be among the leading contenders. For Hardham, this race may be a step up in class but he is a wild card in this race.
Boom Time is on the quick back-up following his fourth place finish in the Ladbrokes Herbert Power Stakes last weekend. He is just below the level that is required to really be competitive in a race like the Caulfield Cup. Harlem was disappointing in The Bart Cummings and would need to. His produce at the level of his win in the Naturalism Stakes again to be any chance in the Caulfield Cup. Lord Fandango may be too early to recover from the Herbert Power Stakes. Amelie’s Star was able to return to winning form in The Bart Cummings but she would need to improve again to win the Caulfield.
The race will be run at the Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia on the 21st October 2017.
Gate |
Horse Name |
Age |
Origin |
Sex |
Pedigree |
Trainer |
Owner |
Jockey |
Race Form |
1 |
Humidor |
5 |
NZ |
M |
Teofilo (Ire)-Zalika (Nz)(Zabeel (Nz)) |
Darren Weir |
Jomara Bloodstock Ltd |
Damian Lane |
19 Starts, 6 Wins |
2 |
Marmelo |
4 |
GB |
M |
Duke Of Marmalade (Ire)-Capriolla (Gb)(In The Wings (Gb)) |
Hughie Morrison |
The Fairy Story Partnership |
Hugh Bowman |
10 Starts, 3 Wins |
3 |
Johannes Vermeer |
4 |
IRE |
M |
Galileo (Ire)-Inca Princess (Ire)(Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)) |
Aidan O'Brien |
N C Williams, Mr & Mrs L J Williams and Others |
Ben Melham |
13 Starts, 4 Wins |
4 |
Jon Snow |
4 |
NZ |
M |
Iffraaj (Gb)-Orinda (Nz)(Oreilly (Nz)) |
Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman |
Zame Partnership |
Stephen Baster |
16 Starts, 4 Wins |
5 |
He's Our Rokkii |
5 |
NZ |
M |
Roc De Cambes (Nz)-Clerihew (Gb)(Lomitas (Gb)) |
David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
J R Collinson, C Feneridis, Seymour Bloodstock Syndicate & Others |
Luke Nolen |
23 Starts, 7 Wins |
6 |
Sir Isaac Newton |
5 |
GB |
M |
Galileo (Ire)-Shastye (Ire)(Danehill (Usa)) |
Robert Hickmott |
N.L.S Williams/Smith/Magnier/Tabor |
Ms Katelyn Mallyon |
17 Starts, 3 Wins |
7 |
Ventura Storm |
4 |
IRE |
M |
Zoffany (Ire)-Sarawati (Ire)(Haafhd (Gb)) |
David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
Middleham Park Racing LXXII & Others |
Damien Oliver |
16 Starts, 6 Wins |
8 |
Wicklow Brave |
8 |
GB |
M |
Beat Hollow (Gb)-Moraine (Gb)(Rainbow Quest (Usa)) |
William Mullins |
Wicklow Bloodstock (Ireland), Ltd |
Joao Moreira |
37 Starts, 10 Wins |
9 |
Inference |
4 |
AUS |
M |
So You Think (Nz)-Pontiana (Aus)(Redoute'S Choice (Aus)) |
Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes |
L P Maxsted, P C Maxsted, G P I Racing Syndicate & others |
Dwayne Dunn |
13 Starts, 4 Wins |
10 |
Single Gaze |
5 |
AUS |
M |
Not A Single Doubt (Aus)-Redaluca'S Gaze (Aus)(Intergaze (Aus)) |
Nick Olive |
N Olive, M P Hay, D E Tout, W P Oxford & Others |
Ms Kathy O'Hara |
26 Starts, 5 Wins |
11 |
Bonneval |
4 |
NZ |
F |
Makfi (Gb)-Imposingly (Aus)(Zabeel (Nz)) |
Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman |
T W Jarvis, A R Lawrence & J A Rattray |
Kerrin Mcevoy |
10 Starts, 7 Wins |
12 |
Hardham |
4 |
AUS |
M |
Redoute'S Choice (Aus)-Nureyev'S Girl (Aus)(Nureyev (Usa)) |
David Brideoake |
Mrs S A Moody, M J Bradley, Sir P Hogan & Others |
Craig Newitt |
09 Starts, 2 Wins |
13 |
Boom Time |
6 |
AUS |
M |
Flying Spur (Aus)-Bit Of A Ride (Aus)(Snippets (Aus)) |
David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
Ferrari Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd |
Corey Parish |
30 Starts, 6 Wins |
14 |
Abbey Marie |
5 |
AUS |
M |
Redoute'S Choice (Aus)-Catshaan (Aus)(Catrail (Usa)) |
Michael Kent |
J B O'Rourke, E Campbell, M C Kent & Others |
Beau Mertens |
10 Starts, 3 Wins |
15 |
Harlem |
5 |
GB |
M |
Champs Elysees (Gb)-Casual (Gb)(Nayef (Usa)) |
David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
K Abdullah & Others |
Chad Schofield |
13 Starts, 3 Wins |
16 |
Amelie's Star |
6 |
AUS |
M |
Testa Rossa (Aus)-Zazita (Aus)(Zabeel (Nz)) |
Darren Weir |
P Hodgens |
Craig Williams |
17 Starts, 6 Wins |
17 |
Lord Fandango |
4 |
GER |
M |
Lord Of England (Ger)-Fitness (Ire)(Monsun (Ger)) |
Archie Alexander |
Anglo Australian Racing, GB & Others |
Ben Allen |
16 Starts, 5 Wins |
Trifecta
- Johannes Vermeer
- Jon Snow
- Wicklow Brave