German trainer Wohler eyeing Caulfield Cup

German trainer Andreas Wohler already has a Melbourne Cup win to his name and is back in town trying to add a Caulfield Cup with Articus.

Wohler, who trained Protectionist to win the 2014 Melbourne Cup, arrived in Melbourne on Sunday night and was at the Werribee quarantine centre on Monday overseeing the preparations of Articus for Saturday’s $3 million Caulfield Cup.

He believes Articus is the right type of horse for the race despite being untried at 2400 metres.

Australian Bloodstock, which races Protectionist, bought Articus after his most recent start in Germany in July and transferred him to Wohler.

“When the guys from Australian Bloodstock bought him, the Caulfield Cup was straight away the first target,” Wohler said.

Articus galloped comfortably over 1400m on Monday, with Wohler saying the horse was thriving and did all he needed to do.

“He’s settled in really well. I couldn’t be happier with him,” Wohler said.

“I didn’t want to do too much because he looks pretty fit. He’s done most of his work at home or in England and I just wanted to keep him ticking over but he seems to be in great condition and he looks very bright and feels very happy.”

Articus has won four of his nine starts including the Group Three Maxios Trophy (2000m) at Hannover before his fifth in the Group One Grosser Dallmayr-Preis (2000m) in Munich on July 31.

Articus was second over 2200m in a Group Two race in Germany in May but has never raced over 2400m.

“You wouldn’t run him at Flemington over 2400,” Wohler said.

“Caulfield is a different type of track. And that’s why I think he might be a good type of horse for the Caulfield Cup.

“I’ve just watched it (Caulfield Cup) the last couple of years and I know the type of horse Articus is, the way he normally runs his races and I think the way he is he should be the right horse for the Caulfield Cup.”

Articus is in to $8 and shares the third line of betting behind Jameka ($3.70) and Scottish ($7).

Hong Kong-based Australian Zac Purton, who won the 2014 Caulfield Cup on Japanese horse Admire Rakti, takes the ride on Saturday.

“I think we’ve got one of the best (jockeys) that could be available for that race,” Wohler said.

Related Posts

Comments are closed.