The Group 1 Caulfield Cup is a 2400m handicap race run at Caulfield Racecourse. The $5m feature is Australia’s premier mile and a half race and the winner becomes exempt from ballot in the race that stops the nation, the Melbourne Cup. Star kiwi mare, Ethereal, was the last horse to win the illustrious Cup’s double back in 2001.
Last year’s Caulfield Cup was taken out by Queensland giant-killer, Incentivise, with Brett Prebble on board, before a gallant second in the Melbourne Cup seventeen days later.
Last start Turnbull Stakes winner, Smokin’ Romans, has come up favourite for this year’s Caulfield Cup and is currently $4.40 with Dabble. Randwick based galloper, Benaud, is the only other runner in single figures at $9.00, with a host of runners around the $10-$12 mark.
With such an open market and no real standout this year, it looks a tough race for punters. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you and provided our horse racing tips! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2022 Caulfield Cup along with The Shark’s best tips.
1. Gold Trip (12) – $13
Jockey – Mark Zahra 57.5kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Had every chance in the Naturalism two back before covering ground and whacking away well last start in the Turnbull. Gets to 2400m now which looks ideal and should get a nice run behind the speed. Looks a top three hope.
2. Duais (9) – $13
Jockey – Joshua Parr 55.5kg
Trainer – Edward Cummings
Just even last start in the Turnbull but the tempo of the race probably wasn’t suitable. She’s a G1 winner at 2400m and here at Caulfield, and should enjoy a cosy run from the gate. Big query will be how wet the track is come Saturday, as she’s better on top of the ground.
Who will take home the 2022 Caulfield Cup? 🏆 @GetOn78 pic.twitter.com/v13ryUzdu2
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 13, 2022
3. Knights Order (18) – $11
Jockey – Tim Clark 55.5kg
Trainer – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Led and held on well last start in the Turnbull to continue his consistent form this prep. Barrier no help but he will be ridden aggressively early to secure the front spot. Likes the wet and is a two time winner at the trip. Has to be considered.
4. Montefilia (16) – $19
Jockey – Jason Collett 55.5kg
Trainer – David Payne
Ran well first up in the George Main before an even effort in the Hill Stakes last start, where she was sent out a short priced favourite. Should be ready to peak here third up and raced last start like the 2400m will suit. Will need some luck from the gate but has the class to figure in the finish.
5. Numerian (10) – $12
Jockey – Tommy Berry 55.5kg
Trainer – Annabel Neasham
Come back well this prep with two placings at G2 level. Starting to really find his feet in Australia and gets a good opportunity to win a G1 major here. He handles all conditions, will ride the speed and should be in it for a long way.
6. Nonconformist (15) – $12
Jockey – Jordan Childs 54.5kg
Trainer – Grahame Begg
Runner up in this race last year who has raced at the top level all prep. Ran an improved race last start behind Anamoe in the Caulfield Stakes and looks to be crying out for 2400m. The gate is no help but he looks ready to do something now and gets an opportunity to go one better this year.
7. Vow And Declare (17) – $26
Jockey – Blake Shinn 54kg
Trainer – Danny O’Brien
Rattled home at Flemington two back before a luckless fifth in the Bart Cummings last time out. Looks to be going well enough to run a big race here but comes up with a horror gate and doesn’t have a great record here at Caulfield.
🏇TIM BAILEY CAULFIELD CUP TRACK UPDATE:
– Every chance it could be a Heavy 9 later today 🙏
– Track in ‘terrific’ order 🙌
– Even ground up the straight 😤
– See you all at Caulfield tomorrow 💪Further update before 3pm.@MelbRacingClub #racingpulse
— RSN927am (@RSN927) October 13, 2022
8. No Compromise (13) – $20
Jockey – Craig Newitt 53.5kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Charged home and got the money last start in the Metropolitan over this trip. Although this is tougher, he rarely runs a bad race and should get conditions to suit yet again. Looks an each-way chance at good odds.
9. Alegron (14) – $11
Jockey – Ethan Brown 53kg
Trainer – James Cummings
Good win last start in the Kingston Town at Randwick beating Benaud and Knights Order. That form ties in well here and he’s won up to 2800m, suggesting the trip is no worries. Stable is flying and he has to be considered a live hope down in the weights.
10. Benaud (20) – $9.00
Jockey – Regan Bayliss 53kg
Trainer – John O’Shea
Found the line well in first three runs back this prep before a close up sixth in a star-studded Caulfield Stakes last start. Will need some luck from the car park draw but looks ready for the 2400m now and will be hard to beat with no weight on his back.
11. Great House (3) – $23
Jockey – Brett Prebble 53kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Flew home first up at Flemington before another solid effort last start in the Turnbull, where the pattern was against. Gets in well at the weights here and is going well enough to be right in the finish.
12. Inspirational Girl (1) – $15
Jockey – Jye McNeil 53kg
Trainer – Danny O’Brien
Satisfactory return behind Mr Brightside at Moonee Valley before attacking the line in the Turnbull last start, running good late splits. Should be primed for this third up but the 2400m in trying conditions may test her.
At this stage there appears no dramas around @melbracingclub Caulfield Cup runners for Saturday. pic.twitter.com/o1SmYKEJvp
— Andrew Bensley (@AndrewBensley) October 13, 2022
13. Maximal (19) – $26
Jockey – Ben Melham 53kg
Trainer – John O’Shea
*This horse has since been scratched.*
Good run last start in the Turnbull behind Smokin’ Romans. Key to this bloke is dry ground and he certainly won’t get that here. May be better suited in a Cox Plate?
14. Sound (4) – $126
Jockey – Blaike McDougall 53kg
Trainer – Michael Moroney
Well beaten in the Feehan and JRA Cup last two. Will get a soft run from the low draw, stays all day and handles all conditions. Not the worst.
15. Chapada (11) – $61
Jockey – Daniel Stackhouse 52.5kg
Trainer – Michael Moroney
Ran well in the Naturalism two back before safely held last start in the Turnbull. Doesn’t win out of turn but can bob up in the placings from time to time in these sorts of races.
16. Crystal Pegasus (2) – $71
Jockey – Damien Thornton 52kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Hasn’t been sighted in three runs this prep, the latest in the Turnbull. Gets out to 2400m which should suit but not racing well enough to win this.
17. Smokin’ Romans (5) – $4.40F
Jockey – Jamie Kah 51.5kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Proved his Naturalism win was no fluke with a dominant display in the Turnbull last start. Drawn well here with in form jockey, Jamie Kah, on board and has won three times over 2500m, suggesting the trip is no worries. Is a deserved favourite and looks hard to beat on recent form.
“There’s no negatives with this horse.”
Can Smokin’ Romans continue his sensational form in the Caulfield Cup? 🔥#Contenders pic.twitter.com/tLomj1gWfG
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 13, 2022
18. Tralee Rose (8) – $81
Jockey – Dean Yendall 51.5kg
Trainer – Symon Wilde
Hasn’t done much in two runs back this prep. Better suited up in trip here and should get a nice run in transit, but has to find some of her old form to be competitive.
19e. Durston (6) – $23
Jockey – Michael Dee 51.5kg
Trainer – Chris Waller
Bolted in both the Wyong and Newcastle Cup before finishing a close up midfield in the Metrop last start. He looked the winner at the furlong there but got bogged down once the rider let his head go. Unfortunately he will have to cop another heavy track here which is a shame because he’s absolutely flying.
20e. Makram (7) – $26
Jockey – N/A 50kg
Trainer – Ben & JD Hayes
Chased hard last start at this track/trip behind Saracen Knight. Racing in good form and gets in on the minimum here from a good gate. If he can handle the heavy conditions he might run a cheeky race at big odds.
Final Word
This year’s Caulfield Cup looks a very open race. We saw Wednesday’s Thousand Guineas meeting run on a Heavy10 surface and more rain has since fallen, ensuring it should remain in the heavy range come Saturday. Knights Order looks the obvious leader and should ensure a genuine tempo.
Nature Strip wins The Everest
Benaud wins the Caulfield Cup— Christopher Dante (@cdwinters91) October 12, 2022
Going to put ATC Derby runner up, Benaud, on top. He’s found the line well in every run this prep and wasn’t beaten far by Anamoe last Saturday in the Caulfield Stakes. He’s drawn wide but will go back and he’s crying out for 2400m.
Metropolitan winner, No Compromise, will be hard to beat again. He gets conditions to suit and gets in light again with 53.5kg on his back. Stablemate, Durston, is flying and would’ve been my top pick had the rain not come.
Smokin’ Romans is a deserved favourite and will be hard to beat, as will the likely leader, Knights Order, who is racing in good form and loves the wet. Duais and Montefilia are classy mares who aren’t racing as well as they have in the past, but could easily figure if they can find their best form, as can Nonconformist.
Caulfield Cup Tip
10. Benaud – Each-way ($9.00/$3.00)
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Best Caulfield Cup Tip: 10. Benaud – Each-way ($9.00/$3.00)
If you need more news, information and tips, head over to our Caulfield Cup page for all your punting needs!
*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Dabble.
