A spot in the Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield during the upcoming Melbourne Spring Carnival is now in the sights of Godolphin’s English trainer Charlie Appleby for his consistent middle distant galloper Scottish.
Victoria Derby winner Tarzino heads the market order for the Caulfield Cup. Photo by Steve Hart.
Appleby was originally eyeing off the Group 1 $3m Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 22 for Scottish but he will be struggling to qualify and will now target the Caulfield Cup after the on pace runner made it two wins from his last three starts in England.
“We will take him down to Australia and probably look at the Caulfield Cup – he won’t get into the Cox Plate just yet,” Appleby said.
“I know it will be a step up to a mile and a half but he could hopefully be exciting off the front end at Caulfield.”
Three starts back Scottish scored a one and three quarter lengths win in the Listed £37,000 The Steventon Stakes (1 mile, 2 furlongs) at Newbury on July 16 and then last Saturday at York had a one and a quarter lengths to spare in winning the Group 3 £85,000 Strensall Stakes (1 mile, 208 yards) in race record time with William Buick in the saddle.
“Scottish came out of Haydock well and the winner that day went on to frank the form when running a good race at Deauville. This is a good trip for him and I told William to send Scottish for home early, as the tailwind in the straight might help us out,” Appleby said.
“William has given him a great tactical ride and I thought being drawn on the outside suited us because he may have been a little bit intimidated at Haydock. He has done it well and it was a pleasing effort.”
Sandwiched in between Scottish’s two wins, was a second to Royal Artillery in the Group 3 £63,000 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes (1 mile, 2 furlongs, 95 yards) at Haydock Park on August 6.
In early Caulfield Cup betting at Ladbrokes.com.au Scottish is listed at $31 alongside of the Aidan O’Brien trained Order Of St George and former Japanese stayer Tosen Stardom.
Last year’s Victoria Derby winner Tarzino heads the market order at $15 ahead of Highland Reel, Our Ivanhowe, Provocative, Tavago and Trip To Paris all on the $17 mark.
