The field for Saturday’s featured Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) is simply outstanding and we are set to witness one of the headline events of the 2018 Spring Racing Carnival.
The Caulfield Cup has drawn an interesting mix of locally-trained and international stayers and it is two horses with Australia form; Kings Will Dream and Youngstar that have opened joint $5.50 favourites in 2018 Caulfield Cup betting.
Kings Will Dream has been simply outstanding since arriving in Australia and Darren Weir’s care, and he stamped himself as a horse to follow by winning each of his first five starts through autumn this year; including the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) which delivered ballot-free entry into this race.
He has continued to impress amongst quality company and under less-than ideal conditions this time; savaging the line for fourth in the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) first-up before placing in each of the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m), Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) and Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) most-recently.
His wide barrier isn’t a concern as he’ll go back in the running anyway and with Craig Williams aboard, he’ll be hard to hold out.
Youngstar is a Group 1 winner, but arguably her career-best performance to date came last time out when she ran a half-length second to stable mate Winx in the Turnbull Stakes.
The daughter of High Chaparral enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence in autumn and winter this year; winning the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) most notably and ending her second third in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2200m) after making up plenty of ground late.
She has continued to improve with racing this time and looks ready to peak fourth-up in the Caulfield Cup, with favourable conditions, a light weight and regular hoop Kerrin McEvoy aboard.
The list of international raiders set to step out in the Caulfield Cup is terrific and there’s a case to be made for all, including several long-odds shots.
Admire Rakti won the 2014 Caulfield Cup and two horse will represent the Japanese contingent this year, both offering plenty of value in Caulfield Cup betting – Chestnut Coat ($17) and Sole Impact ($51).
Chestnut Coat will be better over two miles in the Melbourne Cup, but is a multiple winner at 2400m and finishing a credible fifth in the famed Tenno Sho in April this year.
Sole Impact finished down the field in the Tenno Sho, but clearly appreciated the step back in trup when fifth in the Group 2 Meguro Kinen (2500m) last time out in May.
Chester Stakes winner Duretto ($21) is one of the impressive British & Irish contingents in 2018 Caulfield Cup betting that also includes horses like The Cliffsofmoher ($6.50), Best Solution ($15) and Red Verdon ($21).
Some of Australia’s best stayers have also been confirmed in the Caulfield Cup field, including Ace High ($11), Homesman ($12) and Night’s Watch ($14).