Nonconformist races into the Caulfield Cup field

Image: Bruno Cannatelli

Nonconformist has earned himself a start in the Caulfield Cup with a determined victory at Caulfield

The planning of Grahame Begg has paid off with Nonconformist earning a start in the Caulfield Cup.

Success in Saturday’s Group 3 MRC Foundation Cup (2000m) earned the Grahame Begg-trained galloper a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 16.

The 2021 Caulfield Cup has been a long-held ambition for Begg who had plans of contesting the race 12 months ago, but a setback in the early stages of the program put that out of reach.

Planning for this year’s assault began after Nonconformist finished second in the Mornington Cup in March with the now five-year-old sent to the paddock to be back in work and build a strong base.

To date everything has worked as planned for Begg who ran the gelding first-up over 1400m at Caulfield in early August before finishing fourth to Superstorm in the Feehan Stakes (1600m) on September 4.

Relishing the step up in journey under Jordan Childs, Nonconformist, the $4.40 favourite, registered a short-head win from Delphi ($8) with Tralee Rose ($4.80) 2-¼ lengths away third.

“He’s a good solid horse for the stable,” Begg said.

“We’ve looked after him and he’s been rewarding us all the way through. He’ll keep on rewarding us.”

Childs and Begg spent considerable time on Friday working out a strategy for Saturday’s race and the trainer said Childs carried out the plan perfectly.

For Childs, Saturday’s victory was his biggest since a fall at The Valley left him on the sidelines for five months with a shoulder injury.

“It means a lot. The first big winner back,” Childs said.

“It has been a long road to recovery, and I was probably suspect to be back before spring, or during spring, so it is a credit to my physio, Amelia Elliott, she’s done a fantastic job.

“I really believe that if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be back this early.

“And for Grahame, he’s been such a big supporter of mine.

“Ever since I came back, I’ve walked into open arms and back on the good horses.

“For the connections of Nonconfirmist, to get him into the Caulfield Cup, it’s a great feeling.”