Craig Williams looks to Dandino to make it three Caulfield Cups in a row

AUSTRALIAN-owned international Dandino underlined rising Caulfield Cup claims with sizzling work at Werribee today.

horse

DANDINO has shortened significantly in Caulfield Cup markets after a brilliant Werribee track gallop yesterday was followed by news Craig Williams would ride the English stayer on Saturday week.

Williams will bid for a third successive Caulfield Cup win after landing the ride on the seven-year-old, who firmed from $12 to $9 with TAB.

TAB’s Adam Hamilton said: “Dandino’s been well supported on the back of glowing reports from the track this morning and the decision to appoint Craig Williams.”

Check out which import is attracting interest in the Money Train window below

Trainer Marco Botti’s travelling foreman Paul Francis was delighted by the quality of Dandino’s work as the well-travelled stayer vaulted to the third line of betting behind the Chris Waller pair of Hawkspur ($4.50) and Royal Descent ($7).

Raced by Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, Dandino yesterday conceded English Cox Plate contender Side Glance a three-length lead approaching the home turn before accelerating sharply to win the gallop comfortably.

“Normally he’s quite lazy, but he’s a different horse today,” Francis said. “And he’s done it easily.

“I just let him do what he wanted. I didn’t ask for anything. If he’s like this next week, I’ll be really happy.”

Currently under suspension, Williams edged out several other jockeys, including Kerrin McEvoy and Ben Melham, for the mount on the last-start US St Leger winner.

Williams won last year’s Caulfield Cup on Dunaden, who arrives on Saturday week for a third Melbourne Cup tilt, and was successful on Southern Speed in 2011.

The champion rider was chosen after managing owner Darren Dance and Botti discussed the appointment at Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting in Paris.

Top English jockey Ryan Moore is expected to partner Dandino in the Melbourne Cup.

Dance told Racing Network that Botti was “rapt” with how Dandino had travelled, acclimatised and worked since arriving at Werribee.

“We brought him here to try to win the Caulfield Cup,” Dance said.

“The Melbourne Cup is so hard. We saw that last year when Jakkalberry (in the same ownership) ran third.

“When you bring them out here, you have to try to win both races.”

Dandino has been outstanding since arriving at Werribee.

Francis said the horse lost only 7kg on the flight from England to Melbourne and had since put on 11kg.

Williams was delighted with his ride.

“I was always in the mix but wanted to see how he travelled and acclimatised,” he said.

“I think he is a really nice horse. I liked what I have seen of him on tapes, and have watched links of his work (at Werribee) during the week and again liked what I saw.”

Williams said he would ride Dandino at Werribee on Saturday and Monday morning to get to know the seven-year-old.

Williams yesterday led the Caulfield Cup “jockey-go-round” in which Glen Boss committed to New Zealand mare Silent Achiever ($10), leaving Nash Rawiller on Royal Descent — if weights rise.

Jim Cassidy has been confirmed to ride Hawkspur, while Craig Newitt will be on a Waller outsider, either Moriarty or Kelinni.

Dandino

Boss confirmed he had not been prepared to wait and hope for the Royal Descent ride.

“Obviously connections of Royal Descent want Nash to ride her, given he has ridden the horse before,” Boss said.

“I wasn’t in a position to wait and wanted to ensure I could secure a ride and have been fortunate to pick up Silent Achiever.

“I think she is a really good ride. The mare has had no luck whatsoever. She is flying. She is a live chance.”

The surprise decision by Boss forced Waller to release a statement on Royal Descent, who is currently weighted at 52.5kg.

“I have confirmed Nash Rawiller as the rider for Royal Descent in the Caulfield Cup," he said. “This is on the basis that the weights will be raised and also on the fact that Nash has committed to ride below his regular riding weight.

“No rider has been put on standby should the weights remain where they are, but it is unfortunate that someone such as Glen Boss will not be available.”

Green Moon remains topweight at 58kg, with Sea Moon on 57kg and Manighar 56.5kg.

There are doubts as to whether Green Moon and Manighar will accept, while Sea Moon’s defeat on protest at Flemington on Saturday meant he has still not passed the first elimination clause.

Green Moon

Should Green Moon and Sea Moon not run, weights will be raised 1.5kg, and if Manighar follows suit, weights would rise 3kg. Dandino then would carry top weight of 58kg.

That would allow Rawiller, who generally doesn’t ride below 55kg, to ride Royal Descent.

If weights don’t rise, Rawiller could miss out on a cup ride while Waller seeks a lightweight jockey.

$2.5m Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), Caulfield, October 19

$4.50 Hawkspur

$7 Royal Descent

$9 Dandino

$10 Silent Achiever

$11 Jet Away

$12 Fawkner, Super Cool

$15 Dear Demi

$21 Green Moon (doubtful), Kesampour, Masket Marvel, Seville

$31 Others

Market: Courtesy TAB

$6m Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), Flemington, November 5

$6 Fiorente

$7 Hawkspur

$8 Puissance De Lune

$10 Mount Athos

$18 Green Moon, Verema, Voleuse De Coeurs

$19 Masked Marvel, Royal Descent

$23 Dandino, Fawkner, Seville, Tres Blue

$26 Royal Empire

$31 Others

Market: Courtesy TAB