Trainer Mick Price can see Tarzino taking full advantage of barrier four in the Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield.
Tarzino, above, has drawn barrier four in the Caulfield Cup at Caulfield. Photo by Steve Hart.
Price can see Craig Newitt settling Tarzino in the first six to eight runners at the winning post the first time and is expecting the Victoria Derby winner to run an improved race on his last sixth to Hartnell in the Group 1 $500,000 Yellowglen Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 2.
“It was good (barrier 4). Sometimes those inside gates are little squeezey. Caulfield Cup, a big push to the first corner, but he has enough tactical speed once he gets up over a journey to put himself up there. The Rosehill Guineas he was up there, the Australian Derby he was up there,” Price told RSN’s Racing Ahead.
“So going past the post the first time he will be up there in the first half a dozen, six, eight or something like that.”
Price admits that he was slightly disappointed with Tarzino’s run in the Turnbull Stakes but is confident the four year old is primed to be competitive in the 2400m Spring Carnival feature.
“I thought he would show up in the Turnbull, I was bit disappointed there because he ranged up on the outside of Tally and hung in,” Price said.
“He just felt the track there, he is an entire and they get a little bit jarry on the harder tracks sometimes.”
“But he has had a good couple of weeks. His work is good, he goes into the race perfect.”
“The Turnbull Stakes day was his day to show up and it is good Caulfield Cup guide and he went missing there because he felt the track so your confidence is dented naturally.
“He has had a perfect prep. He has done the miles and he is very fit, his work is good and that is all we can do.
Price would be happier if there was a little bit of moisture in the Caulfield track but can’t see that happening with the Caulfield Cup scheduled to be run late in the day with plenty of horses galloping on it before race eight.
“The only thing is that it is 4.30 in the afternoon and I am just hoping the track is not furnished and I supposed a few of those staying type horses are in the same boat,” Price said.
“It we get a nice track for him I sure he will go good. He is a really good staying type of horse and I think he will run really well.”
The Caulfield track for today’s Blue Sapphire Stakes meeting is rated a Good 3 and with fine weather forecast for the remainder of the week, the track is going to stay around the same rating for Saturday.
Price considered the favourite Jameka as the horse to beat but doesn’t rate this year’s Caulfield Cup as one of the greatest to date.
“I don’t know if it is a vintage Caulfield Cup but it is still a fantastic race,” Price said.
“It’s the world’s richest 2400m Handicap. I think it is good that there are some imports there and gives up some recognition on the world stage and it is getting better and better every year.”
“Jameka is the best Caulfield Cup guide in the field, the deserved favourite, 2400m good, I don’t think the barrier is a problem. I think Nick Hall will stay out of trouble there and still find a position.”
The Ciaron Maher trained Jameka has drawn barrier thirteen in the eighteen horse field and her Caulfield Cup lead up form includes a win two starts back in the Group 3 $150,000 Bendigo Bank East Malvern MRC Foundation Cup (Naturalism Stakes) (2000m) at Caulfield on September 17 followed by a second to Cox Plate second favourite Hartnell in the Turnbull Stakes.
Market order for the Caulfield Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.50 Jameka, $7.50 Scottish, $8 Real Love, $8.50 Articus, $10 Exospheric, $11 Sir Isaac Newton, $15 Tally, $16 Sir John Hawkwood, $26 Preferment, Tarzino, Our Ivanhowe, Sacred Master, $31 Set Square, $51 Almoonqith, $61 Pemberley, $71 Big Money, $81 De Little Engine, $126 Fanatic, $201 Go Dreaming, $301 Vengeur Masque.
