Next Stop The Melbourne Cup

International gallopers chasing rich spring pickings in Melbourne no longer view today’s Caulfield Cup as just a stepping stone to the $6 million Melbourne Cup.

Historically Australia’s most important lead-up race to the first Tuesday in November, the Caulfield Cup has not always been well supported by overseas trainers and owners who have varied approaches to preparing their horses for the two miles at Flemington.

But the international status of the $3m Caulfield feature has grown in recent years with overseas raiders winning two of the past three Cups.

Zac Purton salutes as Admire Rakti gets there in 2014

Admire Rakti charged home to win the 2,400m Caulfield classic last year, giving Japan its first victory in the race. The horse went on to start favourite in the Melbourne Cup but finished last after suffering heart failure and had to be put down after the race.

In 2012, French galloper Dunaden backed up his 2011 victory in the Melbourne Cup when jockey Craig Williams overcame a wide barrier to score an impressive win at Caulfield.

Williams this year is riding Hokko Brave, one of two Japanese gallopers in the race.

Zac Purton – rides Fame Game

Zac Purton, who rode Admire Rakti last year in both Cups, will partner the other Japanese runner Fame Game. English pair Snow Sky and Trip to Paris make up the quartet of overseas-trained gallopers contesting the Caulfield Cup.

All four are likely to go on to the Melbourne Cup, but Hokko Brave trainer Yasutoshi Matsunaga said the Caulfield Cup is an important race in its own right that he would love to win.

“Last year Admire Rakti ran very well… I believe the Caulfield Cup isn’t just a step [towards] the Melbourne Cup. I really think that this is a big international race too,” Matsunaga said through a translator.

“I believe we need greater distance… [but] I’m not just going for the Melbourne Cup, I’ll try to win both Cups. I believe he is perfect fitness.”

Hokko Brave has drawn out wide in barrier 19 but Matsunaga is not too worried and the draw may suit the free running style typical of the Japanese gallopers.

“I really think the position is great for us. We don’t want to be packed in on the inside… we can get a free ride over there.”

While their connections are not dismissing the chances of either Hokko Brave or Fame Game winning at Caulfield, both Japanese gallopers are expected to be suited by the longer distance of the Melbourne Cup next month.

Japanese runners claimed the Melbourne Cup quinella back in 2006 when Delta Blues edged out Pop Rock in a dominant staying performance by the pair.

Hokko Brave owner Michiaki Yabe, enjoying his first trip to Australia, said winning the Melbourne Cup would be a dream come true for he and his family.

“My dad passed away last year, but that was his dream, to win a Melbourne Cup … the Melbourne Cup is very, very special for my family,” Yabe said.

Snow Sky better suited at Caulfield

Snow Sky – looks distance suited

In contrast to the other three international runners, Snow Sky is expected to be better suited to the Caulfield Cup than the longer distance of the Melbourne Cup.

The English-trained horse is owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah from Saudi Arabia and his Juddmonte Farms racing operation. Snow Sky will be ridden by four-time Caulfield Cup winner Damien Oliver.

The prince’s racing manager Lord Teddy Grimthorpe said the horse is in good order and has been set for the Caulfield race.

“The Caulfield Cup is one of the world’s great races, and that’s what Juddmonte is in the business to do – to try and win the big races,” Grimthorpe said.

“He’s a mile and a half horse… two miles [in the Melbourne Cup] and he’s going into the unknown, if he gets to Flemington.”

Caulfield Cup 2,400m – 5:40pm Saturday (AEDT)

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