CAULFIELD CUP 2019 PREVIEW
CAULFIELD RACE 9 – 17:15 AEDT
OPEN GROUP 1
1200m
$5,000,000
GOOD 4
Rail TRUE entire
| # | Form | Horse | Trainer | Jockey (barrier) | Weight (kg) | Current Price |
| 1 | 34443 | HARTNELL | JAMES CUMMINGS | B RAWILLER (17) | 58.0 | $20 |
| 2 | 1322x | MIRAGE DANCER | T B & N YOUNG | B MELHAM (13) | 56.0 | $19 |
| 3 | 11x1x | MER DE GLACE | H SHIMIZU | D LANE (21) | 55.5 | $8 |
| 4 | 72351 | MUSTAJEER | K LEES | D OLIVER (16) | 55.5 | $15 |
| 5 | 57x79 | ROSTROPOVICH | D & B HAYES & T DABERNIG | D DUNN (18) | 55.5 | $23 |
| 6 | 4x512 | FINCHE | C WALLER | M WALKER (19) | 54.5 | $6.50 |
| 7 | 4x12x | GOLD MOUNT | I WILLIAMS | M R DU PLESSIS (4) | 54.5 | $23 |
| 8 | 15610 | RED VERDON | ED DUNLOP | P J COSGRAVE (15) | 54.5 | $46 |
| 9 | 1x658 | ANGEL OF TRUTH | G MARKWELL | D YENDALL (14) | 54.0 | $61 |
| 10 | 26x75 | BIG DUKE | K LEES | B PREBBLE (1) | 54.0 | $61 |
| 11 | 21222 | CONSTANTINOPLE | D & B HAYES & T DABERNIG | L NOLEN (7) | 53.0 | $8.50 |
| 12 | 31x30 | MR QUICKIE | P STOKES | J ALLEN (10) | 53.0 | $8.50 |
| 13 | 9x603 | CROWN PROSECUTOR | S MARSH | C J GRYLLS (2) | 52.5 | $46 |
| 14 | 621x4 | VOW AND DECLARE | D O'BRIEN | C WILLIAMS (9) | 52.5 | $9 |
| 15 | x0919 | BRIMHAM ROCKS | C WALLER | M J DEE (20) | 52.0 | $27 |
| 16 | 1x591 | THE CHOSEN ONE | M B & A FORSMAN | S BASTER (22) | 52.0 | $17 |
| 17 | x2058 | QAFILA | D & B HAYES & T DABERNIG | C J PARISH (6) | 51.5 | $41 |
| 18 | 18531 | WOLFE | G WATERHOUSE & A BOTT | BEAU MERTENS (5) | 50.0 | $20 |
| 19 | 48x07 | SOUND | M MORONEY | J WINKS (8) | 54.0 | $126 |
| 20 | x8070 | NEUFBOSC | D & B HAYES & T DABERNIG | J M NEIL (3) | 54.0 | $101 |
| 21 | x1276 | TRUE SELF | W P MULLINS | D BATES (12) | 52.0 | $46 |
| 22 | x5832 | PRINCE OF ARRAN | CHARLIE FELLOWES | JAMIE KAH (11) | 53.5 | $19 |
OVERVIEW
A capacity field lines up here for the 2019 Caulfield Cup and whilst up in Sydney The Everest takes the cake for top prize money on Saturday, the Caulfield Cup runners will still fight it out for a total of $5 million in prizemoney. This looks like another quality edition of the race with a handful of chances. Among them is last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Prince of Arran and also Winx’s greatest challenger, Hartnell.
SPEED MAP
Tempo should be moderate here with Wolfe and Finche likely to take up the running from any number of runners, including; Hartnell, Prince of Arran and The Chosen One. Due to the large field I’m expecting a strung out field which should benefit the on pacers. Backmarkers Big Duke, Mr Quickie and Brimham Rocks will need some luck to weave through.
KEY RUNNERS
- MER DE GLACE ($8)
Talented Japanese runner who has been the winner of his past five starts. All of these wins have come over 2000-2200m and despite never having run 2400m I doubt it will be an issue. Looks like a genuine middle-distance horse who aims to follow in Admire Rakti’s footsteps in taking out this race. Issue will be whether he can bring the same form to a softer track.
- FINCHE ($6.50)
Was coming off a long spell first up at Randwick and put in a solid run before following that up with a strong win over the in-form Stampede. Then travelled to Melbourne and put in a huge run to just narrowly miss Kings Will Dream in the Group 1 Turnbull. Should appreciate the rise to 2400m here and looks a deserved favourite.
- VOW AND DECLARE ($9)
Looks like a genuine stayer and is no doubt targeting the Melbourne Cup but it’s impossible to leave him out of your numbers. 2nd the Group 1 Queensland Derby during the Winter before showcasing his staying ability in the Group 3 Tattersall’s Cup with a 3L win the following start. Found the line strongly first up in the Turnbull and will have improved from there. Looks one of the main chances.
BLUEY’S PICK
- FINCHE ($6.50)
Draws wide here but I think he should be able to cross fairly easily and either lead or sit near the leaders, which I think will be critical in this race. Was brilliant last start at Flemington, when just kept finding in the straight behind Kings Will Dream. Rise to 2400m looks perfect here and Finche looks like the one to beat.
