First emergency and favourite Baraqiel likely to gain a start at Caulfield

Untapped and unbeaten Baraqiel is likely to sneak into a crack 1200m Benchmark 84 at Caulfield on Saturday, with at least two doubtful starters.

Baraqiel wins at Swan Hill.

Untapped and unbeaten Baraqiel is likely to sneak into a crack 1200m Benchmark 84 at Caulfield on Saturday, with at least two doubtful starters.

Top weight Cavalier Charles, a triple acceptor with entries in Sydney and Brisbane, is expected to run in the Harbour City.

Rogue Rocker is “very doubtful” to race at Caulfield, with Adelaide on Saturday or Sandown next Wednesday being considered by trainer Shane Jackson.

First emergency Baraqiel, a $3.30 favourite with TAB, has won three on the trot since his debut last month as a five-year-old.

Baraqiel, half-brother to Group 1 Australian Oaks winner Autumn Angel, missed his three and four-year-old seasons with tendon and knee injuries.

Baraqiel is a promising galloper.

The luckless late bloomer, trained by Leon and Troy Corstens, could book a ticket to the spring on Saturday at Caulfield with a fourth victory in as many starts.

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"He might be the real deal."

5YO Baraqiel remains unbeaten from three career starts with @MaluaRacing! 🔥 @bennallen44 finishes the day with a treble. pic.twitter.com/qoPcWo9VUN

— Racing.com (@Racing) June 7, 2024

Assistant trainer Will Larkin said stable favourite Baraqiel showed no signs of slowing down.

“When you’ve had to put in tireless and tireless amounts of effort to get him right, countless setbacks, you gain a feeling for them and the ownership group as well,” Larkin said.

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“They’re (owners) the ones putting in the money and you want to do everything you can to get him right and we’re very fortunate he’s been able to get to the races and shown us his true ability.

“We’re just going right through the grades with him, maiden, Class 1 and then he stepped up to a Benchmark 78 and he won that well.

“If he could win there (Caulfield) or run really well we’ve got spring aspirations for him.”

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Baraqiel toyed with the opposition the past three starts with a combined 9¾-length margin.

He raced greenly last start at Swan Hill, and shied at the post, yet won by 3½ lengths.

“He’s just got so much ability and the scary thing is I think at the moment he doesn’t know what he’s there to do,” Larkin said.

“You watch the replay of his run at Swan Hill, he’s wobbling all over the place, shying at the winning post and put a good field away in Benchmark 78 grade.

“He’s still got plenty more to give.”

The Open, who has won his past three starts also, is a $4.40 second favourite with TAB from Jewellery ($6), Why Worry ($8), Pioneer River ($8) and Mars Mission ($8.50).

Originally published as First emergency and favourite Baraqiel likely to gain a start at Caulfield