Werribee Whispers: The Caulfield Cup

Ahead of Saturday’s 150th running of the Caulfield Cup, the three internationals in the field have settled in at Werribee and are ready to fire.

Here’s how their teams described their progress and chances…

Ray Dawson – Jockey, Enfjaar

“He feels great. He’s settled in really, really well. He seems really happy, he’s moving great.

“I was delighted (with barrier one). Myself and Roger have been plagued with bad draws all season in the UK, so I was half expecting (barrier) 20. It keeps things simple – obviously it makes things a little bit complicated later on in the race, if there’s horses falling back, having to get a little bit of room.

“From (barrier) one, it gives us the option – he jumps from the stalls quite well – to go forward without having to worry about getting stuck wide, and then obviously assess the pace from there. That’s the advantage from having a low draw, it gives you that option to be able to have the confidence to go forward… and if there’s a lot of speed on, and he’s comfortable mid-division, if there’s not a lot of speed on, I know the horse and the way he likes to cruise. It gives us options.

“He’s got a great cruising speed, he proved at Goodwood that he stays the mile-and-a-half very well. He goes on all grounds.

“I’m very confident, especially after sitting on him this morning. We just need a bit of luck really – I think he’s good enough to be bang there turning in.”

Michael Halford – Travelling Foreperson, Starford

“We’ve been very happy with him since he came. He’s settled in really well and he’s been training really well. Couldn’t be happier with him, to be honest.

“He’s straightforward to ride, it’s just a matter of dropping him in there, get him comfortable and have him coming home, so I’d imagine we’d keep it pretty straightforward and pretty simple with him.”

Alex Crean – Travelling Foreperson, Wine Dark Sea

“He’s good, we’re happy with him. He had a little breeze over two furlongs yesterday (and) a routine canter today. He’s kind of ticking all the boxes at the moment.

“He can race prominently, he can race on the speed. He’s not a small horse, so hopefully he might be able to get up and get across.

“He’s impressed me so far – he’s very efficient, very economical. He’s enjoying being out here. The ground should be in his favour. Hopefully there’ll be a bit of speed on and he can get into a rhythm and see what happens.”