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Caulfield Stakes 2015 race preview
09 October 2015 10:41 AM
The Caulfield Stakes sees a cracking field contest this Group 1 weight-for-age race over 2000m. This is the lead-up race for both the WS Cox Plate and the Caulfield Cup which runs next week.
Lots of buzz around for Chris Waller's star four-year-old Kermadec after his strong finish to win the George Main. First time to 2000m is a question mark but connections have indicated that he will get the trip.
Fawkner is next best in the market. His two runs this preparation have been outstanding and he is 2-1-1-0 this track and distance. Criag Williams and barrier 4 ticks all the boxes. Big threat to the favourite.
Pornichet will be up in the front few. He's got a great record over the 2000m and despite an average Chelmsford run, has impressed this preparation. Definitely one of the main chances.
Criterion is back from the UK for the first time here. Group 1 winner taking the Queen Elizabeth last Autumn over this distance. Just missed to Fawkner in this race last year.
Contributer has had a mediocre preparation so far but O'Shea reports that he is fitter now. That could put lengths on his previous efforts. Won the Ranvet in the autumn over this distance beating Lucia Valentina and Silent Achiever.
Mongolian Khan has been a little under whelming so far this campaign but still has shown indications that he is warming up to bigger things. His last run saw him finish off well which is a good indicator for further improvement here.
Hard to leave Happy Trails out of consideration. Should be able to find a clearer path than he did last start in the smaller field. Won the Mackinnon over the 2000m in 2014 and was third in the Australian Cup over the distance in the autumn.
Fawkner on top for me. His form over the distance and track and effort this preparation is too strong to ignore. Kermadec in for second. I think he will get the distance but not sure he will be better than last year's winner over the 2000m. Pornichet for third.
Mike Steward