Trainer Pat Carey says Cedarberg is a relatively untaxed horse as he prepares for his raid on this year’s Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
Last year Carey let Cedarberg coast through the spring under his own steam without getting caught up in the “qualifying game” for the big races as a four-year-old, and was rewarded when the son of Helenus won the Group One The BMW in the autumn.
That victory has assured Cedarberg a start in both Cups this year as a seasoned and mature five-year-old which Carey believes is paramount when it comes to those major staying races.
“It is an extremely tough assignment trying to qualify four-year-olds for the Cups,” Carey said.
“To qualify in one preparation you have got to do something unique and that is quite taxing.
“(Melbourne Cup runner-up) Maluckyday and Linton (unplaced in the Melbourne Cup) both had taxing spring four-year-old careers and I think history is showing now that the Melbourne Cup is an older horses’ race.
“You only have to look at the deeds of Delta Blues (2006) and Americain last year. They were massively mature horses compared to the other horses and it shows through in the finish.”
Rhys McLeod will ride Cedarberg when he kicks off his campaign in Saturday’s Aurie’s Star Hcp (1200m) at Flemington and the gelding will warm up towards to the Cups without any pressure to be at his best until the day of the big races.
“He has got a nice race under his belt (The BMW) and he is going to come into the spring without the struggle of having to qualify which is very comforting,” Carey said.
“We will be able to run him where we want and give the horse the campaign that best suits him.
Cedarberg’s career has always been about patience.
He was a three-year-old when he won over 1520 metres at Mornington at his race debut in January last year and since then has been sparingly raced.
All up he has started only 16 times for four wins and four placings and more than $1.5 million in prize money.
“He hasn’t been unduly tested and hasn’t been taxed,” Carey said.
“He is almost a fresh horse and because of that we can afford to start slowly tightening the screws on him now.
“He is ticking over nicely, looks well, and we are happy with where he is at.”
AAP TURF
