Barrier An Obstacle For Anthony Van Dyck

Aidan O’Brien’s stable representative T J Comerford has described Anthony Van Dyck’s outside barrier as an added obstacle in his Caulfield Cup quest.

Anthony Van Dyck drew barrier 21 but will come into 18 when the field jumps on Saturday.

The 2019 English Derby winner will also have to contend with top weight of 58.5kg.

In 2012, Dunaden carried 58kg and started from the outside barrier to win and Comerford believes the five-year-old son of Galileo can also overcome his big weight and wide draw.

“At the same time he’s good enough. It’s another obstacle for him but he’s in great form and he looks good,” Comerford said at Werribee on Thursday.

“If he gets a reasonable run he’ll be thereabouts. Hopefully (jockey) Hugh Bowman gets a good run on him.”

Comerford said Bowman would ride the horse in track work on Friday.

O’Brien’s travelling foreman believes Anthony Van Dyck is in the best condition he has been in all year and is ready to peak.

While rain has been forecast and Anthony Van Dyck’s best form is on firm ground, Comerford isn’t concerned.

“He needs quick ground. I know rain is forecast but it’s nothing like the rain at home,” he said.

Last year Anthony Van Dyck finished twelfth in the Hong Kong Vase but Comerford said not to take that into account when assessing his Caulfield Cup chances.

“That was the end of a long year. This year we didn’t start racing until June. I think he’s peaking here,” he said.

Comerford confirmed injured stablemate Wichita had been operated on by vets who successfully repaired the fracture in his hind leg.

The issue was discovered after the horse worked on Wednesday, ruling him out of the spring carnival.

“They screwed his joint and he came out of it well, like it’s never happened. He’s in good order,” Comerford said.

He said Wichita would recover and eventually return to the racetrack.

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