Grand Marshal is currently available at 2015 Caulfield Cup odds of $41, but trainer Chris Waller believes that the grinding stayer is a chance of finishing in the top five in the Group 1 event at Caulfield on Saturday.
Grand Marshal has the chance to become the first horse in history to win the Sydney Cup and the Caulfield Cup in the same year. Photo by: Sarah Ebbett
Grand Marshal was sent to the spelling paddock after he recorded a narrow win over stablemate Who Shot Thebarman in the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Royal Randwick on April 11 and he has performed without finishing in the placings in three starts during his 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign.
The Dansili gelding was never able to get into the race when he returned to the races in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on September 5, but he produced an improved performance when seventh in the Group 2 Hill Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on September 19 and he was far from disgraced when fifth in the Group 3 Craven Plate (2000m) at Royal Randwick on October 3.
Waller does not think Grand Marshal has the talent over 2400 metres to win the Caulfield Cup, but he has been happy with the form of the six-year-old and believes that he will finish in the first half of the Caulfield Cup field on Saturday.
“Grand Marshal is going really well,” Waller said.
“2400 will suit him better.
“It is a tough Caulfield Cup though, but that is what he is going to be facing in the Melbourne Cup too.
“He will beat more hope than will beat him home and he is a chance of running in the top five.”
History is against Grand Marshal in the Caulfield Cup as no Sydney Cup winner has been able to complete the Sydney Cup/Caulfield Cup in the same year, while Galilee (Caulfield Cup in 1966 and Sydney Cup in 1967), Rogilla (Caulfield Cup in 1933 and Sydney Cup in 1934) and Eurythmic (Caulfield Cup in 1921 and Sydney Cup in 1920) are the only horses to have won both races.
Grand Marshal will be partnered in the Caulfield Cup by veteran hoop Jim Cassidy and The Pumper is chasing his first win in the race after previously taking out the event with the legendary Might And Power in 1997 and Diatribe in 2000.
Mongolian Khan is back out the 2015 Caulfield Cup odds of $4.80 with Ladbrokes, but he remains a clear favourite from Hauraki ($9), Set Square ($9.50), Fame Game ($10), Rising Romance ($10) and Snow Sky ($11).
You can score the best odds for Grand Marshal and all 18 runners in the 2015 Caulfield Cup field with Ladbrokes, who are offering Best Tote or Starting Price +20% on every race on Caulfield Cup Day!
