One of the crown jewels of the Melbourne Spring Carnival, Caulfield Cup Day promises high-class racing and fierce competition.
With the $5 million Caulfield Cup headlining a stacked program, punters and racing fans alike will be treated to a feast of Group 1 action, emerging stars, and seasoned campaigners chasing glory.
The undercard is equally compelling, featuring another eight black-type races including the Group 1 Thousand Guineas, Group 2 Tristarc Stakes, Group 3 Caulfield Classic, and the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes, all pivotal stepping stones for future spring targets.
Whether you’re chasing value, following favourites, or scouting for Melbourne Cup clues, Caulfield Cup Day is a must-watch.
Let’s dive into the key chances across the card.
Besides one forgettable run this preparation, BACASH (4) has been racing in excellent form.
The Team Hayes-trained colt was last seen giving an almighty sight in front over this distance on the Hillside track only to be picked off in the shadows of the winning post by Navy Pilot.
The start prior he fought bravely when leading into a headwind at The Valley when finishing a length third in the Listed McKenzie Stakes.
Mark Zahra takes the ride and should be able to give his mount a great run from a prominent position.
| 5. Bacash (3) J: Mark Zahra 56kg 26132T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
ENGINE OF WAR (5) took some time to wind up when resuming over 1500m on the Hillside track, but once he got there, he let down nicely to win by a nose.
The Price & Kent Jnr-trained gelding enjoyed the rise to 1800m in the Victoria Derby Preview at Flemington last start when producing the equal best final 400m of the race only to be outbobbed on the line by Autumn Mystery.
The winner had a fitness and 1kg edge on him, but the scales are in Engine Of War’s favour this time around.
He was forced to settle further back from the wide barrier last start but I expect Mark Zahra to take full advantage of the inside barrier and settle in a prominent position.
| 5. Engine Of War (1) J: Mark Zahra 57kg 3×12T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
JUST A JOURNEY (3) brought strong Sydney form south last start when giving a massive sight in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes.
The Michael Freedman-trained filly opened this preparation with a close second at Warwick Farm before leading all the way over 1550m at Canterbury.
Last start she led them over the Flemington mile and looked like the winner, but she was picked off on the line to go down by a whisker.
She’s at peak fitness and maps to dictate the race for Blake Shinn.
| 3. Just A Journey (5) J: Blake Shinn 56kg 5×212T: Michael Freedman |
TENTYRIS (2) returned in good order after suffering a stress fracture in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes last start.
The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained colt loomed as the winner but was overpowered by fitter horses Mcgaw and My Gladiola to finish 1.56 lengths third.
He’ll strip fitter and won the Listed Talindert Stakes by three lengths when second-up last preparation.
He possesses a barnstorming finish which he displayed when winning the Group 2 Todman Stakes to end last preparation.
That will come in handy given there looks to be a good amount of speed engaged in the race.
| 2. Tentyris (5) J: Mark Zahra 58.5kg 121×3T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |
AKAYSHA (12) is only lightly raced and has come back this preparation in cracking form.
The Peter Snowden-trained filly found the line strongly from well back to finish a head second to My Gladiola in the Listed Cap D’antibes Stakes first-up.
She returned home to Sydney second-up where she again worked home nicely to finish just over a half-length second to Marhoona in the Listed Heritage Stakes.
She’ll strip fitter third-up and should enjoy a nice run from the inside barrier.
| 12. Akaysha (1) J: Jye McNeil 54kg 23×22T: Peter Snowden |
REY MAGNERIO (1) returns to the races for the first time since April and looks set for a bold showing following three slick jump outs.
The Robbie Griffiths-trained gelding races particularly well fresh having won two of three first-up races.
One of those wins came when kicking off last preparation in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes over 1100m here where despite racing wide, he proved too strong.
Jye McNeil can stalk what looks like a decent speed from the good gate in the Caulfield Sprint.
| 1. Rey Magnerio (4) J: Jye McNeil 59kg 3074xT: Robbie Griffiths |
APOCALYPTIC (1) is racing in sublime form and is looking to remain undefeated this time in work.
The Michael Freedman-trained daughter of Extreme Choice was in a league of her own as she dashed clear despite a wide run to win the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes two starts ago.
She stepped up to this distance for the first time last start in the Group 1 Flight Stakes and loved it, proving too strong in a 1.3 length victory.
In a telling move, top jockey Mark Zahra has been booked to ride.
| 1. Apocalyptic (4) J: Mark Zahra 56kg 2×111T: Michael Freedman |
PRIVATE EYE (2) will find this a touch easier than what he has faced so far this preparation.
The Joe Pride-trained gelding was last seen finding a mile a stretch too far against the likes of Fangirl and Lindermann when finishing 2.66 lengths fourth in the 7 Stakes.
Prior to that, he finished 1.21 lengths second in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes and won the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes over this course and distance when resuming.
He’s had a tick over trial since last start so will be at peak fitness.
Nash Rawiller is back and the saddle and will be positive early to find a forward position in the Moonga Stakes.
| 2. Private Eye (8) J: Nash Rawiller 59kg 3×124T: Joseph Pride |
HALF YOURS (15) looks primed to win the Group 1 Caulfield Cup, a race that has looked his for the taking since he dominantly won the Caloundra Cup in July.
The Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained gelding tuned up nicely for this last start when storming home in the best closing sectionals of the race to finish 2.67 lengths fourth in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes.
He was ultra-impressive two starts ago in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes when producing his trademark turn of foot to easily win by 3.5 lengths.
He’ll enjoy an economical run from the low draw and with just 52.5kg on his back, should take some holding out.
| 15. Half Yours (2) J: Jamie Melham 52.5kg 21514T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy |
MIRAVAL ROSE (1) is a mare in form and she’s looking to win her third race in a row.
The Grahame Begg-trained daughter of Grunt was last seen leading the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes field before giving a good kick late to win by 1.3 lengths.
Two starts back, she proved too strong after racing on speed when winning over 1200m here.
She loves this distance and won her only previous start over this track and trip which was at Listed level.
Jordan Childs will use her early speed to take advantage of the inside barrier which should make her hard to get past.
| 1. Miraval Rose (1) J: Jordan Childs 57.5kg 0x311T: Grahame Begg |