Some facts about the Group One $2.5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) to be run on Saturday.
* First run in 1879 when won by Newminster, the Caulfield Cup is a handicap and 18 years younger than the Melbourne Cup which was first held in 1861.
* From 1879 to 1881 run in the autumn. Two Cups were run in 1881 with Blue Ribbon winning in the autumn and Master Avenal in the spring.
* From 1879 to 1881 run over one mile, two furlongs (2000m) and a “distance”.
* In the 1898 Cup won by Hymettus seven horses fell in the straight soon after the start.
* From 1940 to 1943 run at Flemington.
* Aborigine and Blue Book dead-heated for first in 1909.
* The first $1 million Cup was in 1996 when Arctic Scent was successful.
* Famous winners include: Oakleigh (1887), Poseidon (1906, 1907), Amounis (1930), Rogilla (1932), The Trump (1937), Skipton (1943), Rising Fast (1954, 1955), Redcraze (1956), Tulloch (1957), Even Stevens (1962), Galilee (1966), Tobin Bronze (1967), Big Philou (1969), Ming Dynasty (1977, 1980), Gurner’s Lane (1982), Let’s Elope (1991), Doriemus (1995), Might And Power (1997), Ethereal (2001), Northerly (2002), Mummify (2003), Elvstroem (2004) and Viewed (2009).
* Horses to complete the Caulfield-Melbourne Cups double in the same year: Poseidon (1906), The Trump (1937), Rivette (1939), Rising Fast (1954), Even Stevens (1962), Galilee (1966), Gurner’s Lane (1982), Let’s Elope (1991), Doriemus (1995), Might And Power (1997) and Ethereal (2001). Rising Fast would again win the Caulfield Cup in 1955 before running second to the Tommy Smith-trained Toparoa in the Melbourne Cup.
* Dual Caulfield Cup winners: Ming Dynasty (1977, 1980), Rising Fast (1954-55), Whittier (1922, 1925), Uncle Sam (1912, 1914,) Poseidon (1906-07), Hymettus (1898, 1901) and Paris (1892, 1894).
* Bart Cummings has won the Caulfield Cup a record seven times with Galilee (1966), Big Philou (1969), Leilani (1974), Ming Dynasty (1977, 1980), Let’s Elope (1991) and Viewed (2009). He will be represented by Precedence this year.
* Other trainers with a runner this year who have won the race in the past: Gai Waterhouse – Tullamore (Descarado 2010). John Hawkes won the 2005 Caulfield Cup with Railings. Now training in partnership with his sons Michael and Wayne, he will be represented by Niwot on Saturday.
* Damien Oliver won the Cup on Mannerism (1992), Paris Lane (1994), Doriemus (1995) and Sky Heights (1999) and is only one win behind the legendary Scobie Breasley’s record five wins. Oliver rides Manighar on Saturday.
* Other jockeys who have won the race before and have a ride on Saturday: Dwayne Dunn – Drunken Sailor (Tawqeet 2006); Nash Rawiller – Unusual Suspect (Elvstroem 2004); Kerrin McEvoy – Shootoff (All The Good 2008); Brad Rawiller – Absolutely (Viewed 2009).
* Shortest-priced winner: Tulloch (4-6 in 1957).
* Shortest-priced loser: Tobin Bronze (8-11 when sixth to Galilee in 1966).
* Longest-priced winner: Saint Warden (100-1 in 1943).
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