Good Standing outstanding in Caulfield Classic
PUNTERS were confident the Sydney form would hold up during the Melbourne spring carnival and that again proved true when Good Standing won the $500,000 Caulfield Classic on Saturday.
The James Cummings-trained colt had form behind Astern and Impending in Sydney before running an unlucky seventh in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas last start, but Blake Shinn took luck out of the equation by leading all the way from an inside barrier.
The three-year-old jumped well and landed in front, which wasn’t the plan heading into a strong wind, but it got a soft lead and show a good turn-of-foot to score an impressive win.
“He gave me a great ride, pretty much ambled up to the front, didn’t wanna lead but got gifted it and I knew I was on the best horse in the race,” jockey Blake Shinn said.
“At the 600 (metres) I had a lapful of horse. Great turn-of-foot this galloper, he’s mixed it with the best three-year-olds around.”
Shinn is confident the son of Artie Schiller will compete well against the best horses in the country regardless of which race it targets next.
“He’s a striking individual, great cut of a horse,” Shinn said. “I know today was worth a fair bit of money, but he’s going to mix it with the best around when he turns out in the autumn.”
Trainer James Cummings won’t be waiting for the autumn with the talented colt, suggesting either the Derby on October 29 where it is currently a $9 chance with CrownBet or the Longines Mile on the same day.
“I think you have to respect the strength of his win,” Cummings said. “The spring as a three-year-old could be a big time for him. I’ve got him in the Derby. Pretty interested in getting him into the Emirates (Longines Mile). He’d carry 51kg there.”
Cummings was proud of the effort shown by Good Standing and he believes it will run well no matter which race he chooses next.
“His first go at a mile and a quarter into the breeze, I’m pretty proud of his effort. He’s a classy colt, really impressive type. Wherever I run him next I’m sure he’ll run well.”
Rocketeer flashed home late along the inside of runners to give punters a great guide into the Derby where it’s on the first line of betting with Inference ($6 with CrownBet) which finished third.