CUP TO CUP – WHAT IT MEANS

The Melbourne Cup winner often comes through the Caulfield Cup. If that the case this year then…

HALF YOURS (1st): Enjoyed a soft run back midfield from his inside draw but was a bit awkwardly placed at the half-way mark. When Adelaide River made his surprising mid-race move, it allowed Jamie Melham to ease Half Yours into clean air and with his light weight, he did the rest from there as he ran over the top of them. Going to cop a decent Melbourne Cup penalty but deserves every gram of what he gets.

RIVER OF STARS (2nd): All along, the stable has been talking about her main aim being the Melbourne Cup and so what better way to show her credentials than in a race like this. Had the advantage of being inside and made the most of that as they turned and she was the first to get to leaders inside the 200 metres but was overwhelmed late by the lightweight. A great Cup trial. Stewards reported that she brushed the rail near the 2000 metre mark.

VALIANT KING (3rd): Was taken back from his wide gate and we didn’t see a lot of him for much of the race as he was buried back near the tail. Had the benefit of a ground-saving run closer to the rail as the field turned for home but then just saw backsides for about 150 metres. Dashed again when finally clear in a thoroughly convincing performance. Simply put, he can win the Melbourne Cup.

PRESAGE NOCTURNE (4th): Slowly away but found himself in quite a good spot for a genuine stayer back in the field with some cover. Got a good feel for racing Australian style as the field thundered toward the home turn as it got crowded and keen, but he kept coming until he got onto the back of the eventual winner 200 metres from home. Lacked a little dash at the finish when he loomed but from a two-mile point of view, his run was excellent.

ROYAL SUPREMACY (5th): Was so fractious in the barriers, stewards have put a warning on him. Came out a bit fizzed up and over-raced for a period. Sat back in the field but he started his run just as the field reached the home turn and he zoomed through the field on the inside to be within striking distance. Kept coming as things got tight. No doubting his racing form but will have to mend his barrier manners in the big one.

BIRDMAN (6th): Wasn’t flash away and was then dictated to by the pace, which he struggled to cope with early in the race as he did not settle efficiently. Horribly placed at the 800-metre mark at the rear on the rails but followed Royal Supremacy through as the field turned for home. Took a few strides to get into gear and find clear running, but he worked home quite well. A flatten, wider track at Flemington will aid his cause.

ABSURDE (7th): You see his placing and you’d think he ran his usual, honest race, but Absurde actually raced without a lot of luck. Ben Allen had him locked away early on the inside next to Half Yours, but he got him off the rail before the turn and in a good spot to attack. But just as he was going with the favourite, he ran into a wobbling Deakin and after getting by him, was put into tight room by Presage Nocturne as they reached the line. A lot to like about this run. Could it be third time lucky at Flemington?

DEAKIN (8th): A bit disappointing as he had a reasonable run in the race just off the pace and he was presented at the right time as the field turned for home. Looked certain to be in the finish at that stage but just struggled over the final 200 metres. Flemington will suit better but it will need to as his run to the line was not convincing. There’s always been queries on him at two miles and this effort has done nothing to dispel those.

MEYDAAN (9th): Managed to get stuck wide from his five barrier and he didn’t appreciate the turning track from that point on. Stable later talked about him being much better suited on the flat Flemington track and he should derive plenty out of the run as it was noticeable that he was still strong right to the line as he weaved through traffic. His form lines suggest there is more to come so remains in the Melbourne Cup conversation.

WATCH: The 2025 Caulfield Cup

ZARDOZI (10th): Got a long way back in the race and little changed for the Godolphin mare until the final bend when she was hooked the widest. Took a few strides to hit top gear from that point but made steady ground to the post. Was hardly a flashing light run for the Melbourne Cup, but she was honest and did run fourth in the big one last year so remains in contention for a prominent placing.

MIDDLE EARTH (11th): Was one of the better backed horses in the race but was unsettled as they loaded and got himself back in the ruck. Had plenty in front of him as the runs came before the turn and he was steadied a few times as he looked for gaps. Worked to the line OK but obviously more was expected of this horse. Two miles at Flemington is a different task and one that he may relish a little more.

ADELAIDE RIVER (12th): Is effectively out of the Melbourne Cup as he had to finish in the top eight in the Caulfield Cup to pass the first ballot clause. Was always likely to go forward, but his mid-race surge, where he got at least six lengths ahead of the field but not planned as the horse took control. Pulled up with cardiac arrhythmia for the second time and so needs to undergo a series of Racing Victoria tests before he is back to the races. Cup chances look up the river.

VAUBAN (13th): Played up a little before the jump but soon found himself in a reasonable position off the speed. Traveled well enough for the trip until about the 700m mark when Deakin shoved him sideways and from that point on, he failed to run on. Only plus that can be found for him going to Flemington is that last year’s Melbourne Cup runner-up Warp Speed also ran 13th in the Caulfield Cup.

GOLDEN SNAP (14th): Like Adelaide River, the Japanese mare needed to finish top eight in the Caulfield Cup to get beyond the Melbourne Cup ballot, so she has missed her major spring aim. Was three-wide with cover back near the rear of the field for much of the race and slipped back to second last as they turned before she picked off a few late.

PLYMOUTH (15th): Went into the race with maybe the least credentials but was given a chance when finally securing a forward role from his wide barrier as the field turned out of the straight. Was under enormous pressure as the runs came before the turn, but he stuck to his task quite well. Faded over the final 200 metres. That was just his 14th start, and things might be different in 12 months.

BANKER’S CHOICE (16th): Left the gates running from his wide barrier 14 and managed to find the lead as the field turned out of the straight. Adelaide River took off mid-race, leaving him awkwardly placed at the head of the chase group and once they’d turned for home, he was out of the action. Don’t fancy at this level.

REVELARE (17th): Things are starting to turn sour for the form horse of the early part of the spring as he pulled up lame from his run. Needs a veterinary certificate to get back to the races and there is only 17 days to get him right for the Melbourne Cup. Owned a strong position for much of the race but was too quickly beaten. Not exactly an ideal run from a Melbourne Cup point of view.

LAND LEGEND (18th): Ran third in the race last year but followed his last placing in the Turnbull with another last placing here, so he would be surely aiming for some sort of record if he was to go to Flemington and win. Vets cleared him although rider reported that he made some sort of respiratory noise, which was probably the sound of his deflating Melbourne Cup prospects.