News

The first of the ‘big three’ Group 1 races that will be held over the next 3 weeks sees a field of 18 in running for the A$2.5million Caulfield Cup.

There are three NZ-bred representatives this year in the Caulfield Cup (race 8) set to go at NZ 6.05pm tomorrow. Lights of Heaven and Zabeelionaire are sired by NZ champion stallion Zabeel. Zabeel has a great record in feature Australian races, having sired 3 Caulfield Cup winners and 3 Melbourne Cup winners to boot! Naturalism winner Folding Gear is the third of the kiwi-breds, drawn barrier 4. The favourite for the race is the highly talented Glencadam Gold trained by top Australian trainer Gai Waterhouse.

The aptly named New Zealand Bloodstock Ethereal Stakes (race 4) sees Matamata-trained filly, Kate taking her place. Ethereal was the last horse to take out the elusive Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup double in the same year (2001).

Also racing on Caulfield Cup Day is the Roger James-trained mare Full of Spirit (race 5). Full of Spirit raced extremely well in her last start at Flemington in the Blazer Stakes and should acquit herself well tomorrow.