New Zealand stayer Mongolian Khan has fended off the northern hemisphere challenge to win the Caulfield Cup.
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Trip To Paris was cut to 8/1 from 25s by Sky Bet for the Melbourne Cup following his excellent run and Robin Trevor-Jones, who is overseeing his preparation, is eager to see how he comes out of the race.
The plan was to go early and make it a stayers’ race in the straight.
Baker had placegetters in three Caulfield Cups before Saturday, finishing third with The Phantom (1989) and second with Nom De Jeu (2008) and Harris Tweed (2010).
Mongolian Khan’s victory was comprehensive in every way.
Two starts back the son of Galileo blitzed his rivals in the Group One Secretariat Stakes (2000m) in Arlington, the same race Adelaide won before coming to Australia.
“He was handsome and relaxed. He cruised through it when I wanted him to, 2,400 metres, he eats it up”, Bosson said of his triumphant horse.
If Mongolian Khan does not complete a record-breaking double Derby, Caulfield and Melbourne Cup it won’t because of the 1kg re-handicap allotted him yesterday.
“He just loves staying and look out in the Melbourne Cup”, he said.
Racing Victoria’s Chief Handicapper Greg Carpenter said that ninety-two Caulfield Cup winners have contested the Melbourne Cup with eleven of them taking out the double, six running second and five third. “I’m actually not bad at this”, he said.
“But always remember there is a big chestnut this time next door to him, he’s got to beat that one”, he added in reference to ageless marvel Red Cadeaux, who is back for a fifth Melbourne Cup. Just held up around the turn and worked to the line nicely.
Kris Lees, meanwhile, reported last year’s Melbourne Cup victor Protectionist ($51, 15th) had pulled up a little scratchy from Saturday’s run and there are serious doubts over whether he will press on to Flemington. However he feels the 3200m of the Melbourne Cup is where Fame Game will be better suited.
The Kiwi stayer has firmed from $7 to $6 with the TAB in Cup betting following the announcement of the penalty. I hadn’t been well during the week and got a few medical assistance to get me through the day and I felt that I was pretty right but when the pressure of the main race came on about a mile (1600m) out I knew I was in trouble.
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Stewards questioned jockey Zac Purton on his tactics on Fame Game from the 800m and the six year old was last of the eighteen runners at the 400m before weaving his way through the field under hands and heels riding.
