Who Shot Thebarman To Settle In 2nd Half Of Caulfield Cup Field

Who Shot Thebarman is one of three Chris Waller-trained stayers in the 2015 Caulfield Cup field and the leading Sydney trainer has revealed that he will instruct jockey Blake Shinn to ride the Melbourne Cup placegetter conservatively in the early stages of the Group 1 event at Caulfield on Saturday.

Who Shot Thebarman is set to contest the Caulfield Cup for the second year in a row. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Who Shot Thebarman is set to contest the Caulfield Cup for the second year in a row. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Glen Boss elected to settle Who Shot Thebarman just behind the leaders in the early stages of the Caulfield Cup 12 months ago before he tired in the final stages of the race to finish 13th and Waller does not want to see a repeat of that this weekend.

“Who Shot Thebarman has barrier 21 and he will just have to go back to the second half of the field and see where he can slot it,” Waller said.

“He needs to switch off and relax, he was ridden too close last year, he got fired up in the early stages of the race and he was soft in the finish.”

Who Shot Thebarman performed well without winning during the 2015 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, which was highlighted by a close second behind Grand Marshal in the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Royal Randwick on April 11, and he has performed well in three race starts this preparation.

The Yamanin Vital gelding returned to the races in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) and he found the line to finish seventh and he improved on that effort in the Group 2 Hill Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on September 19 before he finished a credible eighth in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 4.

Waller is very happy with the way that Who Shot Thebarman is ticking over ahead of the Caulfield Cup this weekend, but he believes that the seven-year-old will be far better suited when he contests the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3.

“It is all about the Melbourne Cup in three weeks’ time, but obviously you have to give him the chance to get in the prizemoney here to,” Waller said

“He is going terrific, his work is good, but he is going to be better at Flemington.”

Who Shot Thebarman is currently available at 2015 Caulfield Cup odds of $26 with Ladbrokes, while Mongolian Khan ($4.60) remains a dominant favourite from Set Square ($9), Hauraki ($9), Snow Sky ($11) and Fame Game ($11).

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.