Internationals might not have the profile but talent pool extra deep
FOR all the hype surrounding the annual arrival of the spring’s international contenders, this year’s crop is more about untapped depth than spruik horses.
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FOR all the hype surrounding the annual arrival of the spring’s international contenders, this year’s crop is more about untapped depth than spruik horses.
And if that sentiment is reflected in TAB markets for the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup, where Australian-trained gallopers hold sway, nobody at the Werribee quarantine station is overly concerned.
International talent scout Leigh Jordon has only to point to Godolphin’s plundering of last year’s Geelong, Bendigo and Sandown Cups and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes as evidence of the dangers of underestimating the visitors.
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“It’s probably fair to say there’s no horses here this year that have the high profile of some of the horses we’ve had here in the past,” Jordon said.
“But this is the strongest in terms of depth we’ve ever seen and there are five or six more horses yet to arrive. I think the internationals are again in for a strong carnival.”
Among the races form students focus on, the Ebor Handicap, Tenno Sho and Prix Kergorlay are traditionally among the benchmarks.
This year’s crop includes the winners of the Ebor (Nakeeta) and Kergorlay (Marmelo) as well as the Prix Deauville (Tiberian).
And it also boasts Admire Deus, who ran fourth to superstar Kitasan Black in Japan’s premier staying race, the Tenno Sho.
Add the presence of wizard Irish trainers Aidan O’Brien and Willie Mullins and the stage is set for another epic battle between the locals and invaders.
Mullins returns with 2015 Melbourne Cup runner-up Max Dynamite, Royal Ascot winner Thomas Hobson and iron horse Wicklow Brave, and O’Brien has Johannes Vermeer and Taj Mahal.
O’Brien’s son Joseph will arrive next week with the Lloyd Williams-owned Rekindling and Charlie Appleby is back with another quartet for Godolphin.
Racing Victoria’s Greg Carpenter said Admire Deus’s Tenno Sho performance marked him as a leading Cups contender, with a caveat.
“On that effort he will be highly competitive in both Cups,” Carpenter said.
“However, I’m mindful that was his 10th run at Group 1 level and the first time he had finished top four.
“We need to go back to March 2015 for his last win, where he beat Win Variation and Hokko Brave in the Group 2 2500m Nikkei Sho.”
Carpenter respects Red Cardinal, owned in the same interests as 2014 Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist and also trained by master German handler Andreas Wohler.
“Red Cardinal was purchased by Australian interests after running third in the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes in August last year and transferred to Andreas Wohler,” Carpenter said.
“He had one run at the end of last year when stepping to Group 1 company and was second behind Nightflower in the Preis Von Europa over 2400m in Cologne.
“Three runs this year saw him resume with Group 2 victory over 3200m in Germany before travelling to New York to win the Belmont Invitational Cup.
“He gave weight and easily held promising English stayer St Michel in that race, but he disappointed in the Prix Kergorlay behind Marmelo on August 20. He’s only entered for the Melbourne Cup.”
Marmelo arrives in Australia hoping to emulate the Kergorlay-Melbourne Cup double achieved in 2010 by Americain and four years later by Protectionist.
“His final prep run for the Cups was as a comfortable winner of the Kergorlay at Deauville, a race that has become a great pointer to the Melbourne Cup,” Carpenter said.
“In that race he beat the three-year-old Desert Skyline, who has since beaten the older horses winning the Doncaster Cup at Group 2 level.
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“His form looks really strong through runners behind him.”
Australian racegoers are familiar with Qewy who, as Carpenter noted, made a “big impression” in three Victorian runs last spring.
The veteran won the Geelong and Sandown Cups and finished fourth in the Melbourne Cup in between.
“A year on it’s hard to see him improving enough to win a major Cup race, but he can be competitive on his form here 12 months ago,” Carpenter said.
Godolphin stablemate Francis Of Assisi also returns.
“He was a class above the opposition in two runs in Melbourne last spring,” Carpenter said.
“He had three lengths to spare in his Bendigo Cup victory over Second Bullet and then there was his extraordinary performance to beat Vengeur Masque and Tom Melbourne by 10 lengths in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington.
“His only run this year was on pace in the 2000m Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock on August 20, but he was under pressure from the 800m mark and dropped out in the concluding stages.
“The question is whether he can recapture the form he showed here 12 months ago.”
O’Brien’s Johannes Vermeer is another classy contender.
A Group 1-winning two-year-old and sparingly raced at three, he has been highly competitive at the top level in five runs this year.
“He was beaten less than five lengths in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at The Curragh and Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot,” Carpenter said.
“He’s more likely to be suited in the Caulfield Cup.’’
BOWMAN SPOILED FOR CUP CHOICE
HUGH Bowman’s Melbourne Cup conundrum could become clearer on Tuesday when he tests French-trained Tiberian in a gallop at Werribee.
Already in demand to ride fellow imports Red Cardinal and Marmelo, Bowman will assess the Prix Kergorlay winner at the quarantine centre.
Bowman also has the option of partnering one of Lloyd Williams’ entrants in next month’s Cup.
He was impressed with the feel Red Cardinal gave him, and it was similar with Marmelo on Saturday.
“Just let him go through the motions,” Bowman said of Marmelo. “He’s a big, strong horse and he was in a very good mood, which means he’s obviously settled in well which is very important.
“He wasn’t out to do a great deal. I was more there to get a feel for his temperament and the way he moved.”
Asked to compare the two, Bowman said: “Very similar types of horses.”
He said having to make the choice between four quality Cup rides was “a bit like putting a hand in the hut and hoping you pick the right number”.
“Once I’ve ridden the three horses ... I’ll know more,” Bowman said.
WILLIAMS ADDS VERMEER TO CHANCES
LLOYD Williams has bolstered an already powerful Cups arsenal by snaring highly rated international Johannes Vermeer.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained import will race in Macedon Lodge ownership for the first time in Saturday’s Caulfield Stakes.
A $26 chance with TAB for the Caulfield Cup, Johannes Vermeer joins an imposing group of Williams’ spring contenders.
If Johannes Vermeer runs well at his next two starts, he could press on to the Melbourne Cup.
Williams had five runners in last year’s Melbourne Cup, including Almandin, who delivered the property magnate a record fifth victory.
Of the 140 entrants still in contention, he has Almandin, Johannes Vermeer, Sir Isaac Newton, Bondi Beach, Gallante, Aloft, Foundry and Our Century — all trained by Robert Hickmott.
Williams could also be represented by Rekindling, who is trained by Joseph O’Brien.
While Williams’ sole Caulfield Cup win came in 2013 with Fawkner, he has enjoyed a long and fruitful association with the Melbourne Cup — the race he cherishes above all others.
The 2017 internationals
Admire Don-Royal Card
7YO chestnut horse
Trainer: Darren Weir
Starts: 22:5-2-5
Prizemoney: $2,839,608
Biggest win: Group 2 Nikkei Sho (2800m), March 25, 2015, Nakayama
Melbourne Cup odds: $13
Japanese import hasn’t won in two years but was a cracking fourth to superstar Kitasan Black in this year’s Tenno Sho.
RED CARDINAL
Montjeu-Notable
6YO bay gelding
Trainer: Andreas Wohler (Germany)
Starts: 9:5-3-1
Prizemoney: $453,919
Biggest win: Group 3 Belmont Gold Cup (3200m), June 9, 2017, New York
Melbourne Cup odds: $17
High-class stayer with winning range from 2300m to 3200m.
WICKLOW BRAVE
Beat Hollow-Moraine
9YO bay gelding
Trainer: Willie Mullins (Ireland)
Starts: 37:10-4-5
Prizemoney: $1,260,788
Biggest win: Group 1 Irish St Leger (2800m), September 11, 2016, The Curragh
Melbourne Cup odds: $51
Veteran returning for another tilt after beating only two home in last year’s Cup.
MAX DYNAMITE
Great Journey-Mascara
9YO bay gelding
Trainer: Willie Mullins (Ireland)
Starts: 23:4-4-3
Prizemoney: $1,306,007
Biggest win: Group 2 Lonsdale Cup (3299m), August 21, 2015, York
Melbourne Cup odds: $51
Runner-up to Prince Of Penzance in the 2015 Cup. Has raced only four time since. Last-start winner at Killarney.
THOMAS HOBSON
Halling-La Spezia
8YO bay gelding
Trainer: Willie Mullins (Ireland)
Starts: 24:9-4-2
Prizemoney: $376,218
Biggest win: Ascot Stakes (4023m), June 20, 2017, Ascot
Melbourne Cup odds: $34
Tough, fit stayer who almost won two races in five days at Royal Ascot.
TIBERIAN
Tiberius Caesar-Toamasina
6YO bay horse
Trainer: Alain Couetil (France)
Starts: 17:6-4-0
Prizemoney: $517,000
Biggest win: Group 2 Prix de Deauville (2500m), August 27, 2017, Deauville
Melbourne Cup odds: $21
In career-best form with quality wins in France. Handles all types of ground.
Danehill Dancer-Cleopatra
8YO bay gelding
Trainer: Charlie Appleby (England)
Starts: 19:8-1-1
Prizemoney: $482,143
Biggest win: Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m), November 5, 2016, Flemington
Melbourne Cup odds: $17
Starred in Australia last year with Queen Elizabeth and Bendigo Cup wins.
QEWY
Street Cry-Princess Nada
8YO bay gelding
Trainer: Charlie Appleby (England)
Starts: 27:5-4-5
Prizemoney: $691,265
Biggest win: Group 2 Geelong Cup (2400m), October 19, 2016, Geelong
Melbourne Cup odds: $51
Ran fourth in last year’s Melbourne Cup before winning the Sandown Cup.
NAKEETA
Sixties Icon-Easy Red
7YO bay gelding
Trainer: Iain Jardine (Scotland)
Starts: 31:5-8-3
Prizemoney: $573,409
Biggest win: Ebor Handicap (2787m), August 27, 2017, York
Melbourne Cup odds: $34
Clinched a Cup start with a strong Ebor win. Scotland’s first Cup runner.
MARMELO
Duke Of Marmalade-Capriolla
5YO bay horse
Trainer: Hughie Morrison (England)
Starts: 10:3-4-1
Prizemoney: $290,165
Biggest win: Group 2 Prix Kergorlay (3000m), August 20, 2017, Deauville
Melbourne Cup odds: $21
Trying to follow the same Kergorlay path to Cup glory as Americain and Protectionist.
REKINDLING
High Chaparral-Sitara
4YO bay horse
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien (Ireland)
Starts: 9:3-2-0
Prizemoney: $273,308
Biggest win: Group 2 Curragh Cup (2816m), July 2, 2017, The Curragh
Melbourne Cup odds: $26
Charged home for fourth in the English St Leger. Rising star.
US ARMY RANGER
Galileo-Moonstone
5YO bay horse
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien (Ireland)
Starts: 12:2-3-2
Prizemoney: $856,333
Biggest win: Group 3 Chester Vase (2474m), May 5, 2016, Chester
Melbourne Cup odds: $101
Raced at the highest level last season. Narrowly beaten in Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester this May.
JOHANNES VERMEER
Galileo-Inca Princess
5YO bay horse
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien (Ireland)
Starts: 12:4-2-2
Prizemoney: $535,080
Biggest win: Group 1 Criterium International (1400m), November 1, 2015, Saint-Cloud
Caulfield Cup odds: $26
Cox Plate odds: $301
Melbourne Cup odds: $51
Versatile and oozes quality. Will probably head to the Caulfield Cup before future spring plans are finalised. Rising star.
WALL OF FIRE
Canford Cliffs-Bright Sapphire
5YO bay horse
Trainer: Hugo Palmer (England)
Starts: 13:4-2-0
Prizemoney: $284,570
Biggest win: Melrose Stakes (2816m), August 20, 2016, York
Caulfield Cup odds: $51
Melbourne Cup odds: $26
Not far away in the Geoffrey Freer at Newbury in August. Won two competitive handicaps (2800-2900m) in strong fashion last year.
RIVEN LIGHT
Raven’s Pass-Vivacity
6YO bay gelding
Trainer: Willie Mullins (Ireland)
Starts: 18:6-3-3
Prizemoney: $304,545
Biggest win: Galway Handicap (1722m), August 1, 2017, Galway
Caulfield Cup odds: $101
Cox Plate odds: $101
Winning range stretches from 1700m to 3200m. Typically fit Mullins runner.
KIDMENEVER
Baltic King-Pepys Tillergirl
5YO bay horse
Trainer: Charlie Appleby (England)
Starts: 24:5-6-3
Prizemoney: $294,408
Biggest win: Group 2 Swiss Derby (2400m), June 12, 2016, Frauenfeld
Caulfield Cup odds: $201
Melbourne Cup odds: $101
Will probably run at Caulfield on Saturday. Must be respected given Appleby’s Australian strike rate.
CALDERON (formerly Steel Of Madrid)
Lope De Vega-Bibury
5YO bay horse
Trainer: Tony McEvoy
Starts: 13:3-2-1
Prizemoney: $167,425
Biggest win: Group 3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes (1810m), April 19, 2017, Newmarket
Cox Plate odds: $201
English import still considered a year away from reaching his top.
KASPERSKY
Footstepsinthesand-Croanda
7YO bay horse
Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam (England)
Starts: 25:12-4-1
Prizemoney: $581,487
Biggest win: Group 2 Premio Vittadini (1600m), May 31, 2015, Milan
Cox Plate odds: $201
Competitive at the elite level in England, but his last win was more than a year ago.
FOLKSWOOD
Exceed And Excel-Magic Nymph
5YO bay gelding
Trainer: Charlie Appleby (England)
Starts: 12:3-4-3
Prizemoney: $337,242
Biggest win: 1800m handicap, Meydan, Dubai, February 9, 2017
Cox Plate odds: $101
Has won from 1400m to 1800m. Emerging talent.
TAJ MAHAL
Galileo-You’resothrilling
4YO bay horse
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien (Ireland)
Starts: 16:1-4-3
Prizemoney: $360,700
Biggest win: 1408m handicap, Dundalk, October 7, 2016
Cox Plate odds: $81
Just beaten in the Secretariat Stakes at Chicago, the same Cox Plate path as the stable’s Adelaide and Highland Reel.
MASK OF TIME
Holy Roman Emperor-Mission Secrete
4YO bay horse
Trainer: Hugo Palmer (England)
Starts: 10:2-1-3
Prizemoney: $104,770
Biggest win: Listed Derby Du Midi (1900m), May 27, 2017, Bordeaux
Previously trained by Andre Fabe with winning range from 1600m to 1900m. Not nominated for the majors.
FASTNET TEMPEST
Fastnet Rock-Dame Blanche
5YO bay gelding
Trainer: William Haggas (England)
Starts: 14:4-3-1
Prizemoney: $193,278
Biggest win: Victoria Cup (1400m), May 13, 2017, Ascot
Talented miler. Not nominated for the majors.
GARCIA
Paco Boy-Birdie
5YO bay gelding
Trainer: Andreas Wohler (Germany)
Starts: 8:3-0-1
Prizemoney: $120,351
Biggest win: Silver Bowl Stakes (1609m), May 21, 2016, Haydock
Progressive miler. Not nominated for the majors.
leo.schlink@news.com.au
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