The 2016 Caulfield Cup field has been completed and released, and has confirmed an interesting mix of eighteen local and international runners for one of the Spring Carnival’s most highly-anticipated feature races.
Talented mare Jameka has been confirmed in the Caulfield Cup 2016 field. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Lee and Anthony Freedman are set to launch a multi-pronged attack on the feature race after confirming both Our Ivanhowe and Exospheric in the 2016 Caulfield Cup field.
A multiple Group 1 winner in his native Germany, Our Ivanhowe produced a number of positive results upon debuting in Australia in 2015 without being able to find winning form, highlighted by a strong third in the Caulfield Cup.
Resuming this year for consecutive fifth place finishes in each of the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) and Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m), the Soldier Hollow entire failed to beat a single runner home in the Group 1 The BMW (2400m), but stormed home to win the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) in a hit-and-run mission north of the border on May 21st.
Exopheric will have his first Australian start in the Caulfield Cup 2016, but delivered prominent trainer Sir Michael Stoute a number of standout results through a ten start career in Britain.
Resuming in April for a smart win in the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes (2414m) at Newmarket, the Beat Hollow entire ran eighth in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes (2414m) before running on for third in the Group 2 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (2414m) during the Royal Ascot Carnival.
Having ended his British tenure fifth in the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes (2092m) on August 17th, Exospheric has reportedly taken well to his time in Australia so far.
Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller will also be offered two chances of success after confirming both Preferment and Sacred Master in the 2016 Caulfield Cup field.
A four-time Group 1 winner, Preferment resumed this year for fourth in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) before winning the Australian Cup from Awesome Rock on protest.
A comfortable winner of The BMW, the Zabeel entire finished fourth in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) first-up this time and has since run fifth in the Group 2 Hill Stakes (2000m) and fourth in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m).
Sacred Master clearly required a run when eighth in the Premiers’ Cup Prelude (1800m) on August 13th, but followed up with strong performances for second in the Listed Wyong Cup (2100m) and success in the Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2200m).
Fourth in the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) last time out, the Mastercraftsman gelding’s prospects of success this weekend undoubtedly lie with this afternoon’s Caulfield Cup barrier draw.
The international contingent confirmed in the 2016 Caulfield Cup field also features the likes of Scottish, Sir Isaac Newton and Articus.
A standout performer for Charlie Appleby this year, Scottish will carry winning form into the Caulfield Cup after taking out the Group 3 Strensall Stakes in August.
Sir Isaac Newton has posted three wins and a further four minors through his thirteen career starts so far, but failed to fire when tenth in the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes last time out.
Trained by 2014 Melbourne Cup winner Andreas Wohler, Articus has posted a spattering of results this year but should have no issue performing to a high standard in the Caulfield Cup with only 53kgs in tow and Zac Purton in the saddle.
Stable mates Jameka and Set Square offer trainer Ciaron Maher a particularly strong hand in the 2016 Caulfield Cup field, while the likes of Tarzino, Sir John Hawkwood and Real Love have also been confirmed.
De Little Engine and Vengeur Masque have been confirmed as the Caulfield Cup field 2016 emergencies.
The 2016 Caulfield Cup barrier draw is due to be completed and released this afternoon (Tuesday, October 11).
