Red Cadeaux was allocated 55 and a half kilograms in the 2014 Caulfield Cup weights that were released this morning and trainer Ed Dunlop has revealed that the veteran stayer is still a chance of contesting the Group 1 event at Caulfield on October 18.
Red Cadeaux finished a brave second behind Fiorente in the 2013 Melbourne Cup at Flemington last year. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Red Cadeaux is set to contest the Group 3 September Stakes (2400m) at Kempton on Saturday and could then go straight into quarantine at Newmarket before arriving in Australia with the first planeload of 2014 Spring Racing Carnival contenders.
The Cadeaux Genereux gelding has competed in the last three Melbourne Cups without a lead-up run in Australia, with plenty of success, but Dunlop told Racing Ahead that he is still considering the possibility of running the tough stayer in the in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).
“Gerald Mosse wanted to give him another run before left and it gives us the option of going into quarantine one or quarantine two,” Dunlop said.
“There is the Caulfield Cup, the Geelong Cup and whatever options one wants to think off.
“Half of me says why try that when we have done so well without doing it, but this is a different style of campaign.
“He didn’t run well in the Irish St Leger last year and there aren’t many options for this horse after Saturday.
“It is a difficult one to answer, so let’s see what happens and then we will make a decision.
“We are planning to into quarantine the first time, but obviously we can change that.”
Red Cadeaux started his 2014 racing season with a credible sixth in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup (2000m) at Meydan on March 29, but pulled up sore and was sent for a break after finishing 14th in the Group 1 Tenno Sho (3218m) at Kyoto on May 4.
The nine-year-old returned to racing with a promising fourth behind fellow Melbourne Cup contender Seismos in the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes (2670m) at Newbury on August 16 and Dunlop said that he is happy with the condition of the experienced galloper heading into the September Stakes on Saturday.
“He did his final piece of work this morning before he runs at Kempton on Saturday and I was very happy with it,” Dunlop said.
“More importantly Steve who has ridden him around the world was also happy and fingers crossed all remains good for him on Saturday.
“I am very happy with the way that he is, his demeanor is good and he seems bright and well.
“He is a very fresh horse coming into the second half of the season.”
Red Cadeaux is currently available at 2014 Caulfield Cup odds of $41 in the betting market with Ladbrokes Australia.
