Classy colt Cauthen will return to New Zealand for a spell after connections decided not to accept for the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
Cauthen was the most notable non-acceptor for the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
83 horses are still a chance to contest the Caulfield Guineas, which will be run at the home of the Melbourne Racing Club on October 12, with Cauthen the only notable absence from the list of acceptors.
The Darci Brahma three-year-old earnt himself a trip to Australia with a dominant eight and a half lengths victory on debut and stamped himself as a Caulfield Guineas contender with an unlucky second place finish behind Clevadude in the Sweeney Can Do Agents Handicap (1000m) and a win in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m).
Cauthen started the Listed Henry Bucks Best Dressed Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday as the clear favourite but finished a disappointing twelfth and pulled up after the race with the thumps as well as some general soreness.
2013 Golden Rose favourite Prince Harada was among the first acceptances for the Caulfield Guineas and will be aiming to become the first horse since In Top Swing in 2003 to win both Group 1 races in the same year, as will David Hayes-trained Fast ‘N’ Rocking and Golden Slipper runner-up Sidestep.
Hayes is the most well represented trainer in the Caulfield Guineas first acceptances with eleven possible runners while Gai Waterhouse still has ten chances to win the race for the first time, headlined by Aussies Love Sport who recorded his second straight victory in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
The Darley operation only has two runners left in Caulfield Guineas contention but both look like being serious chances after Long John leapfrogged Sidestep in betting markets as a result of his dominant victory in the Henry Bucks Best Dressed Stakes on Saturday.
The 2012 edition of the Caulfield Guineas was a key form guide for the remainder of the 2012 Spring Racing Carnival as well as the 2013 Autumn Racing Carnival, with All Too Hard recording an upset victory over Pierro.
