Royal Descent needs plenty of luck from wide Caulfield Cup barrier

Top class race mare Royal Descent will need plenty of luck from a wide barrier if she is to win the Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Royal Descent will need plenty of luck to overcome a wide gate in the Caulfield Cup at Caulfield. Photo by Steve Hart.

Royal Descent will need plenty of luck to overcome a wide gate in the Caulfield Cup at Caulfield. Photo by Steve Hart.

Royal Descent came up with barrier twenty-two in the original draw but will jump from the outside gate when the field is reduced to eighteen on race morning with the four emergencies expected not to get a run.

Sydney’s premier trainer Chris Waller admits that Royal Descent has the job ahead from the horror gate but said the six year old mare had the ability to win if things fell her way throughout the race.

“She going to need a lot of luck,” Waller said.

“She is a serious horse. She carried similar weight as a four year old.”

Royal Descent ran a mighty race in the 2013 Caulfield Cup when one and three quarter lengths fifth to Fawkner and her recent form suggested that she will be amongst the prizemoney at the end of the 2400m this year.

The Redoute’s Choice mare kicked off her Spring Carnival campaign with a first up win over Pornichet in the Group 2 $250,000 Pro-Ride Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 22 followed by a third to Complacent in the Group 2 $250,000 Tattersalls Club Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 5.

Royal Descent was then runner up to stablemate Kermadec in the Group 1 $500,000 Colgate Optic White George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 19 before heading to Flemington to be beaten a nose buy her other stablemate Preferment in the Group 1 $500,000 Yellowglen Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 4.

Royal Descent is widely regarded as a wet tracker after she ploughed through the mud to win the 2013 Group 1 $550,000 Australian Oaks at Randwick over the Caulfield Cup distance but Waller said he expected a good track rating at Caulfield on Saturday won’t work against her.

“I don’t think the track will be as firm as last Saturday, but in saying that it is the second last race of the day,” Waller said.

If you like Royal Descent as your Caulfield Cup pick, you can get over the odds by taking advantage of Ladbrokes Caulfield Cup Day Special Offer of Best Tote or SP + 20% on every race at Caulfield this Saturday up to a maximum bet of $50.

Top Melbourne based jockey Glen Boss rode Royal Descent at her latest outing at Flemington and is happy to be back aboard her on Saturday.

“I am really looking forward to riding her,” Boss said.

“I honestly think that she is flying at the moment.

“It took a really good horse to beat her at Flemington and we know how good Preferment is at Flemington.”

“She has put in some terrific performances this spring already and I had a look at her on Tuesday at the stables and she just glows.

“Chris is quietly confident that she is definitely going to be running a big race on Saturday.”

Royal Descent’s bad luck at the barrier draw has seen her Caulfield Cup price drfit out to $21 with Ladbrokes.com.au.

Waller will also saddle up $26 chance Who Shot Thebarman and Grand Marshall who is listed at $41.

Ladbrokes are also offering a great deal for punters having a bet early in the day on Caulfield Cup Day. If your first fixed odds win bet in races 1 – 5 wins, your will get 50% extra on your winnings on your first winner up to a maximum bet of $50.

Caulfield Cup market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.60 Mongolian Khan, $9 Hauraki, $9.50 Set Square, $10 Fame Game, $11 Snow Sky, Rising Romance, $13 Complacent, $15 Hokko Brave, $17 Gust Of Wind, Magic Hurricane, $21 Royal Descent, $26 Volkstok’N’Barrell, Our Ivanhowe, Who Shot Thebarman, Trip To Paris, $31 Lucia Valentina, $41 Grand Marshall, Protectionist, $51 Dibayani, Magnapal, Quest For More, $126 Magicool.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.