Spring Racing Review: Stars shine in Everest and Caulfield Cup

Verry Elleegant
Mark Zahra returns to the mounting yard aboard Verry Elleegant after winning the Caulfield Cup.

Two big Group 1 races were run and won on Saturday, with Verry Elleegant taking out the Caulfield Cup and Classique Legend dominating in The Everest. We look back over the day that was to find your next winners in the big Group 1 races for the remainder of the carnival.

Verry Elleegant edges out Anthony Van Dyck in Caulfield Cup

It was all class across the line in the Caulfield Cup, with Verry Elleegant holding out Anthony Van Dyck in the concluding stages. Avilius was luckless from the back and got up to run sixth, while the likes of Mustajeer and Warning were only warming up very late. This was the first look at a number of internationals that have targeted the Melbourne Cup, as well as a chance to size up where our locals are at. We go through each of the internationals in order of their finishing position and rate their chances as they head towards the Melbourne Cup.

Anthony Van Dyck (2nd) – Hugh Bowman elected to settle at the back of the field from the carpark draw, which saw him let down very well. He was one of the widest runners and hit the line very strongly under the top weight. The 3200m is a slight concern, especially under the top weight, but he looks all class.

Prince Of Arran (4th) – He was four wide on the first turn out of the straight, and Jamie Kah elected to settle last on the two-time Melbourne Cup placegetter. He clocked the best final 200m of the race and looked to be primed for the first Tuesday in November.

Buckhurst (7th) – The Joseph O’Brien-trained visitor was fair in his Australian debut. He failed to find a spot early before ending up fourth throughout. Of the lead bunch, he boxed on the best. While he does look better suited over 2000m, he failed to get a spot in the Cox Plate. We would not be surprised to see connections bypass the Melbourne Cup and target the Mackinnon Stakes instead.

True Self (13th) – She was up on speed in the box seat and was there early in the straight but dropped right out of it late. She will be better suited running on and up to 3200m, but she’ll be outclassed in the Cup.

Dashing Willoughby (18th) – He led the field after drawing barrier one and dropped right out of it to finish a distant last. He certainly will be better suited at 3200m and not leading, but he’d need to improve drastically to be any chance in the Melbourne Cup.

Chica Fuerte impressed with an all-the-way victory in the Ethereal Stakes, a key lead-up to the VRC Oaks. Ben Melham rated her a treat out in front, and she just kept going through the line for a 1.75L victory. Salto Angel worked home well late into second, while Succeed Indeed was trapped wide throughout and recorded the best 600-400m sectional of the race but peaked late due to her wide run. Sydney star Montefilia looks like she will have the Melbourne fillies covered at this stage if she comes, but if Chica Fuerte can get a soft lead and Succeed Indeed gets a much more economical run in transit, they can be right there in the finish in the Oaks.

Graff returned to the winner’s stall in nice fashion in the Caulfield Sprint. Damien Oliver settled near last and finished right over the top for a comfortable win. This horse promised plenty early in its career before metaphorically falling off a cliff, but the change to the Danny O’Brien stable appears to have done a world of good. He may well find another race over the carnival where he can be competitive.

Classique Legend conquers The Everest

Classique Legend was backed into favouritism on Saturday in The Everest and justified the support in a dominant victory, giving Kerrin McEvoy his third win in the race. After Eduardo opted to take on Nature Strip and set it up for the back markers, it was The Legend’s for the taking. Bivouac worked home well from the back alongside Gytrash and Trekking to fill the first four. Santa Ana Lane was also good late. Classique Legend will now race permanently in Hong Kong.

There wasn’t much else to take out of Saturday as far as the rest of the Spring Carnival goes. A number of horses were peaking for their grand finals – like It’s Me in the Kosciusko, who is now injured and out indefinitely. Purple Sector did return in impressive fashion under Rachel King in the Sydney Mile, and that performance suggests he can continue to win in a similar grade.

Best futures bets for Spring Carnival 2020

VRC Spring Classic (November 7)Bivouac $4 with Sportsbet

Horses to add to your black book

  • Avilius
  • Bivouac
  • Chica Fuerte
  • Graff
  • Prince Of Arran
  • Purple Sector
  • Salto Angel
  • Succeed Indeed
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