Dandino primed to conquer Caulfield Cup after impressive Werribee canter

BOOM Irish stayer Dandino has completed a faultless Caulfield Cup preparation, leaving Paul Francis with an extreme bout of feature race nerves.

Williams to ride Dandino

BOOM Irish stayer Dandino has completed a faultless BMW Caulfield Cup preparation, leaving much-travelled horseman Paul Francis with an extreme bout of feature race nerves.

Dandino cantered 1600m at Werribee today, prompting Francis to declare the American St Leger on target for big performance tomorrow.

"He's fit, in-form and ready to go," Francis said. "It's up to the jockey (Craig Williams) now."

Francis admitted to a severe case of nerves.

"I haven't felt this nervous since I saddled up the Derby winner," he said, referring to Dr Devious at Epsom in 1992.

"The horse is great. We're just hoping for a good run tomorrow."

Dandino has drifted slightly to $9 in TAB Sportsbet markets since drawing barrier 19. He will start from gate 16 if the three remaining emergency runners are scratched tomorrow morning.

Watched by a contingent of Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock owners, Francis walked and trotted Dandino for a lap before cantering a second lap.

Dandino's striking condition also pleased trainer Marco Botti's wife Lucia, a respected track rider who flew in from England today.

Dandino is bidding to emulate fellow international Dunaden in more ways than one. Dunaden jumped from a wide gate - 18 - to win the Caulfield Cup and was ridden by Williams.