Update: While Articus has remained steady at Caulfield Cup odds, the market mover has been Darren Weir-trained Real Love.
Real Love is now into 2016 Caulfield Cup odds of $6 and is now a clear second favourite from Naturalism Stakes winner Jameka.
Earlier:
Articus has been steady at 2016 Caulfield Cup odds of $9, but jockey Zac Purton believes that his mount will need plenty of luck to win the Group 1 event at Caulfield on Saturday.
Articus will make his Australian racing debut in the 2016 Caulfield Cup on Saturday. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
Purton know what it takes to win the Caulfield Cup – having won the 2014 edition of the race with Japanese stayer Admire Rakti – and he is of the opinion that there needs to be plenty of early speed for Articus to have a genuine chance in the 2016 edition of the race.
The Hong Kong-based hoop told Racing Ahead that he plans to ride Articus conservatively in the early stages of the race and he is hopeful that early speed will help the German import hit the line strongly.
“He is a lightly-raced horse and he has a turn-of-foot,” Purton said.
“He has a tricky draw and we are going to need a little bit of luck going into the first corner and he needs the race run to suit, but he is up to it.
“It is just a matter of giving him his chance.
“I feel like I need the horse to be run at a genuine pace through the early and middle stages.
“I need my horse to get into his rhythm and then come at them that.
“If I push forward early I might use too much energy – especially in his first try at the trip – and I need to try and leave something in the tank.
“I need to be a little bit conservative.”
The strength of the 2016 Caulfield Cup has been questioned since the final field was released on Wednesday, but Purton is adamant that no matter who contests the Caulfield Cup it is always an extremely difficult race to win.
“It is always a terribly hard race to win,” Purton said.
“You often here that it is not the strongest year, but it is a very hard to go out and get the job done in.
“I need everything to go my way.”
Update: Articus has been well-backed in 2016 Caulfield Cup betting markets, but a number of leading form experts have positioned themselves against the German import in the Group 1 event.
Jameka remains favourite and you can find our full 2016 Caulfield Cup odds update here.
Articus is currently available at 2016 Caulfield Cup odds of $9 with Ladbrokes and he is on the fourth line of betting behind outright favourite Jameka ($3.70), JRA Cup winner Real Love ($7) and Godolphin owned Scottish ($7.50), while there has been money for Sacred Master ($31 into $16) and Sir John Hawkwood ($19 into $16).
