It has become a recurring theme in recent years- Which International galloper should be backed for the Cups? Well in the 2014 Caulfield Cup (2400m), there will be four international starters, along with one emergency. Justhorseracing has gone through each of the quintet to give you, the punter, the best guide possible when assessing the overseas raiders and their prospects in the big one this Saturday.
Admire Rakti
Trainer: Tomoyuki Umeda
Jockey: Zac Purton
Weight: 58kg
Barrier: 8
Odds: $11
2400m Record: 4: 1-0-0
Career Highlight: 2013 Listed Diamond Stakes (3400m) win in Japan
Overview: The plans were to bring this horse over last year for the Cups, but his form didn’t warrant the trip down under. He turned around that form with a fourth in the Japan Cup (2400m) to Gentildonna, but his three runs since then, twice this year, have been quite poor. In saying that, he is a Japanese stayer and they are regarded as the best in the world, so he has to respected on that fact, but in terms of race form, it’s not good enough to win a Caulfield Cup.
Dandino
Trainer: Marco Botti
Jockey: Craig Williams
Weight: 57kg
Barrier: 22
Odds: $15
2400m Record: 20: 4-8-0
Career Highlight: 2013 Caulfield Cup (2400m) runner up.
Overview: Talented stayer when he is at his best, and the last time he was at his best, he ran an unlucky fifth in the Melbourne Cup last year to Fiorente. He has raced four times since then, and apart from a second placing in a pretty weak American St Leger (2700m), he has really done nothing since this time last year. But from all reports he has settled in really well since coming here and is one of the standout workers at Werribee, with the addition of winkers really sharpening him up. At his best, he can win it.
Bande
Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi
Jockey: Christophe Lemaire
Weight: 56.5kg
Barrier: 10
Odds: $8
2400m Record: 5: 3-0-1
Career Highlight: 3rd in the 2013 Group l Japanese St Leger (3000m)
Overview: Front running Japanese stayer who is in good form thanks to an all the way win in the Listed Nikkei Open (2600m) in August, where he dominated from the front. Different kettle of fish to the Caulfield Cup, but he worked on the course proper last Saturday and from all reports handled it well, but as we know, there is nothing like race day pressure. I think he will be better suited over the two miles at Flemington, and it’s very hard to lead all the way in a Caulfield Cup. Last to do it was the legend himself Might And Power.
Seismos
Trainer: Marco Botti
Jockey: Craig Newitt
Weight: 56kg
Barrier: 1
2400m Record: 12: 3-2-2
Odds: $21
Career Highlight: 2013 Group l Grossier Preis von Bayern (2400m)
Overview: The second stringer for Marco Botti who has been in pretty good form for the past year or so, starting off with that Group l win in Germany before racing well at a high level in good races eg Hong Kong International Vase, Dubai Gold Cup and a win at Group lll level in the Geoffery Freer Stakes (2670m). He has the class to win a Caulfield Cup and can do some work in the run and find at the end. Wouldn’t entirely rule him out.
Renew
Trainer: Marco Botti
Jockey:
Weight: 52kg
Barrier: 2
Odds: $301
2400m Record: 7: 3-2-0
Career Highlight: 2013 Listed Godolphin Stakes (2400m) winner.
Overview: Ran very poorly in the Herbert Power (2400m) on Saturday and is unlikely to gain a start as fourth emergency, but even if he does gain a start, his form is below par and not good enough to figure here.
My International Ranking Order:
1. Dandino
2. Admire Rakti
3. Seismos
4. Bande
5. Renew
