Caulfield Stakes 2015: Mongolian Khan Still On The Improve

Mongolian Khan is set to contest the 2015 Ladbrokes Caulfield Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday and trainer Murray Baker is confident that the run will have the talented stayer at his peak for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) next weekend.

Mongolian Khan has the chance to record a third win at Group 1 level in the 2015 Caulfield Stakes this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart

Mongolian Khan has the chance to record a third win at Group 1 level in the 2015 Caulfield Stakes this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart

Mongolian Khan stamped himself as the most promising stayer in Australasia when he took out both the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) and he has been ticking over nicely during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival to date.

The son of Holy Roman Emperor started his 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with a credible seventh behind Fawkner in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 12 and he found the line well to finish fourth behind Mourinho in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 26.

Baker told Racing Ahead that he was very happy with the performance of Mongolian Khan in the Underwood Stakes and he is confident that the stayer will relish the step-up to 2000 metres in the 2015 Caulfield Stakes.

“He is right on target and we are very happy with him,” Baker said.

“He is working well and 2000 will suit him better than 1800.

“He slipped at the start the other day and pulled a plate off and he was probably two or three lengths further back than we would have liked, but I think he is improving all the time.

“He looks good and hopefully he will be right for the Caulfield Cup.”

Mongolian Khan was included in the third acceptances for both the 2015 Cox Plate and 2015 Caulfield Cup that were released yesterday, but Baker confirmed that the Australian Derby winner would contest the Caulfield Cup on October 17 before he steps-up to 3200 metres for the 2015 Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 3.

“He is still in the Cox Plate, but he will run in the Caulfield Cup,” Baker said.

“We think that he will get the two miles ok.

“You never know, he gets 2400 ok and you have to find another 800.

“Some of them don’t get it, but the owner certainly wants him to run in the Melbourne Cup.”

Mongolian Khan is currently available at 2015 Ladbrokes Caulfield Stakes odds of $8.50 with Ladbrokes and he is on the fifth line of betting behind Kermadec ($3), Contributer ($4.60) and Fawkner ($5).

You can score best tote or starting price plus 20% on the Caulfield Stakes and every single other race at Caulfield with leading online bookmaker Ladbrokes!

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.