The 2015 Caulfield Guineas first acceptances have been released and 100 colts and geldings remain in contention for the Group 1 event that will be held at Caulfield on Saturday.
Exosphere is one of 100 horses that remain in the 2015 Caulfield Guineas first acceptances. Photo by: Steve Hart
Vancouver and Pride Of Dubai both dominated Caulfield Guineas betting markets in the lead-up to the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival, but both horses were not included in the Caulfield Guineas first acceptances and will not race again this spring.
Pride Of Dubai was ruled out of the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival without having a race start after he suffered bone bruising in one of his legs, while Gai Waterhouse informed stewards this morning that Vancouver would be sent for a spell following lacklustre efforts in both the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) and a barrier trial in the lead-up to the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m).
While the Caulfield Guineas first acceptances do not include Pride Of Dubai or Vancouver, there is still plenty of talent in the entries for the $1 million race.
The Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) has developed into a key form race for the Caulfield Guineas and the majority of the horses that have been included in the 2015 Golden Rose field remain in contention for the stallion-making race.
Exosphere is currently on top of Golden Rose Stakes betting markets, but Godolphin are yet to decide whether the Run To The Rose winner will head to Melbourne for the Caulfield Guineas or be freshened up for the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day.
Press Statement is on the second line of Golden Rose betting and he is likely to make the trip to Melbourne for the Caulfield Guineas, while Gold Symphony, Rageese, Shards and Holler are the other Golden Rose runners in Caulfield Guineas contention.
Ready For Victory was not included in the Caulfield Guineas field, but he remains one of the leading Caulfield Guineas contenders and he was included in the first acceptances that were released this afternoon.
The More Than Ready colt finished fourth in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) in the autumn, but he always looked like he would be a better horse as a three-year-old and he returned to racing with a luckless second place finish behind Gold Symphony in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 29.
He is joined in the 2015 Caulfield Guineas first acceptances by stablemate Prince Of Brooklyn, who was slightly disappointing in the McNeil Stakes, while Mick Price also has Tarzino and Celtic Tiger in the entries.
Another stable that has big numbers in the Caulfield Guineas first acceptances is Lindsay Park, who have Keen Array, More Than Most, Alkasshef, Lake Jackson, Extra Choice, Sovereign Nation, Del Grappa, Flying Light, Fattinah, Wind Force, Mostly and Baheej in contention.
Other notable horses in the 2015 Caulfield Guineas first acceptances include Odyssey Moon, Takedown, Dal Cielo, Black Vanquish, Metallic Crown, Last Bullet, Well Sprung, Manhattan Blues and El Greco.
