2024 Caulfield Cup: Group 1 Preview

Track: Caulfield Racecourse
Distance: 2400m
Value: A$5 million (about US$3.4 million)
World’s Top 100 Ranking (2023): N/A

A decade ago, it would have seemed extraordinary that the world’s richest mile and a half handicap, the Caulfield Cup, would not be the biggest race in Australia in its mid-October position. It was one of the indisputable big four, alongside the Golden Slipper, the Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup.

However, in 2024, it arguably rates third on Saturday behind Sydney’s The Everest and the King Charles III Stakes. Quite an extraordinary turnaround.

Much has been made of the lack of depth in this year’s Caulfield Cup with a 55kg top-weight, a five-kilogram weight spread and a fairly lacklustre line-up by historical standards.

However, it looms as a terrific spectacle with plenty of speed drawn out wide. It also shapes as one of the betting contests of the year worldwide with any number of chances.

It also draws together international formlines and features international Group 1-winning jockeys making their Caulfield debuts.

The Race

With a short run to the first turn, there is always a question mark over the race shape when it comes to the Caulfield Cup.

This year, it looks as though there is abundant speed out wide with Deny Knowledge and Eliyass set to force across early. Coco Sun is also capable of going forward, while Warmonger may be another to apply pressure to those on the inside like Duke De Sessa and Sayedaty Sadaty.

Favoured runners like Buckaroo, Land Legend and Zardozi should find a good spot midfield, while Akira Sugawara faces a tough task aboard Japanese runner Warp Speed if he is to find a position.

It’s A Big Race For…

Jockeys Karis Teetan and Akira Sugawara, who will both make their Caulfield (and Melbourne) debuts in the Caulfield Cup.

Teetan, who has ridden in Sydney before, heads to Victoria to partner Coco Sun for Tony and Calvin McEvoy. That will be his first ride in the state with the Mauritian, who has been based in Hong Kong for over a decade, also set to partner Air Assault in the following race, the G3 Moonga Stakes (1400m).

He faces a tricky task from the second from the outside gate and will likely have to press forward in a bid to track leader Deny Knowledge into the first turn.

Sugawara is yet to ride anywhere outside Japan, so the opportunity to maintain his association with Warp Speed will be a momentous occasion for the 23-year-old. 

He is the only jockey born in the 21st century to have won a Japanese Group 1 so far, taking the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) on Blow The Horn, and from an awkward draw he is likely to ensure his horse is finding the line with the Melbourne Cup in mind.

Warp Speed
WARP SPEED, AKIRA SUGAWARA / G3 Diamond Stakes // Tokyo /// 2024 //// Photo by @B5Tc

The Pressure’s On…

Michael Dee, who produced one of the all time great Caulfield Cup rides to win aboard Durston two years ago and who committed early to the mount aboard Warmonger this year.

As a lightweight rider, he could have had the pick of any horse in the field. To justify his early decision with Warmonger, he will need to take the nerve and the tactical nous he displayed aboard Durston to the next level.

Warmonger charged home from well back, displaying a tremendous turn-of-foot to finish second to Coco Sun in the G1 South Australian Derby (2500m) in May. Sent to Brisbane for the G1 Queensland Derby (2400m), he was put into the race early from the outside draw and he flourished, racing clear to win by 10.4 lengths.

The four-year-old is a stayer through and through. If Dee takes him back early, there is every chance he produces the traditional Melbourne Cup “flashing light” run that elevates him to the head of the market for Australia’s most famous race. But if the Kiwi puts Warmonger into the race from the outset, though, he gives himself the greatest opportunity to land his second Caulfield Cup.

Michael Dee celebrates on Durston
MICHAEL DEE / G1 Caulfield Cup // Caulfield /// 2022 //// Photo by Racing Photos

The Statistic

From the quirky file, Zardozi is aiming to become the first ever winner of the Caulfield Cup whose name begins with Z.

Only one trainer in this year’s Caulfield Cup has a perfect record in the race so far: Sheila Laxon, whose one runner was 2001 winner Ethereal. She saddles up Knight’s Choice in partnership with John Symons.

The Quote

Assistant Kosi Kawakami on Warp Speed: “Warp Speed’s going great, he’s just an amazing stayer. I don’t think he has much of a turn-of-foot, but he’s got really good stamina and I’m surprised at how he’s got such a really good recovery from his work. After the gallop, by the time you pull him up at a canter or a walk, he’s not blowing at all, he just has amazing heart and lungs, so I think he would stay all day.” Read more from Kawakami with David Morgan.

Trainer Mick Kent Jnr on Warmonger: “I think we’ve got him right where we want him fitness wise, but this morning (Tuesday) was more of a mental day out to fuel him up. He was very fresh and on toe, which was really good to see. The horse is thriving, much like he was heading into the Queensland Derby. In the Turnbull, we never thought he’d have the turn of foot at set weights against those good weight-for-age 2000m horses. He’s a real stayer. And we saw that sustained stamina in the Queensland Derby. The whole campaign has been about the Caulfield Cup, where we go up to 2400m, we drop back down in weight in a handicap, and the pace will be on. So if it is a stamina test, and there’s a bit of rain coming, that’s what will suit Warmonger.”

The Key Replay

The Summary

This year’s Caulfield Cup looks an incredibly open race, one where exotics are worth a play – particularly with the liquidity offered by World Pool.

Zardozi’s run in The Metropolitan was sensational, every bit as good as the winner Land Legend, and she meets him better at the weights. The inside draw could make it tough for Zac Purton on Land Legend, whereas Andrea Atzeni on Zardozi has more options from a middle draw. She can become just the second VRC Oaks winner to claim the Caulfield Cup as a four-year-old, joining Jameka.

Buckaroo is flying and arguably looks the most likely winner on his current form. The 2400m is the only concern and he certainly didn’t look as though he wanted the trip when finishing behind Kalapour in the Tancred Stakes earlier this year. However, he is a different horse currently and he’s the one to beat.

Otherwise, it’s worth looking for value. Muramasa drops nine kilograms on his latest run and his Queen Elizabeth Stakes win last year would have him firmly in the mix. Young Werther looked in need of the 2400m in the Turnbull but still ran with credit, as did Duke De Sessa.

Emergencies Berkshire Breeze and Francesco Guardi would also be place chances if they managed to gain a start.

Deny Knowledge drops a staggering amount of weight after her G1 Might And Power Stakes (2000m) win last week and this trip suits better, but the likely pace scenario makes things tough for her.

Hawk's Selections

Caulfield Cup

13. Zardozi

2. Buckaroo

6. Warmonger

10.Duke De Sessa

Suggested bet:

13. Zardozi (WIN)

The Everest

10. Traffic Warden

8. Joliestar

6. Stefi Magnetica

4. Bella Nipotina

Suggested bet:

10. Traffic Warden (WIN)

Andrew Hawkins is the Idol Horse Globetrotter. Andrew’s deep passion for international racing has taken him to all corners of the world, including Hong Kong, where he was based for five years. He has worked with media outlets including South China Morning Post, Racing Post, ANZ Bloodstock News, Sky Racing Australia and World Horse Racing, as well as for organisations including the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Victoria Racing Club.

View all articles by Andrew Hawkins.

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