Favourite Mongolian Khan will be at his peak form when he goes to the starting gates for the Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Mongolian Khan is is peak form going into the Caulfield Cup at Caulfield. Photo by Steve Hart.
Mongolian Khan is backing up after running a mighty third to Criterion in the Group 1 $400,000 Ladbrokes Caulfield Stakes (2000m) on a hard track at Caulfield last Saturday and trainer Murray Baker said the four year old has come through that run in fine order.
“I don’t think he’s run on a track as hard as it was at Caulfield last week but he’s good as gold,” Baler told Racenet.
“I couldn’t have him in better condition. He’s thrived since he’s been here in the sun and does seem to be peaking at the right time.”
“He’s come through the run in good shape, no ill effects and I’m very happy with him. He’s had a light week and ready to go.”
“I don’t necessarily think he’s a mile and a quarter (2000m) horse but for him to run that well and at weight-for-age certainly makes you think he’s in good form.”
Mongolian Khan’s performance over the 2000m of the Caulfield Stakes was first class and the step up to 2400m of the Caulfield Cup will suit him perfectly after having won over that distance twice at Group 1 level during his three year old season.
Mongolian Khan beat Caulfield Cup rival Volkstok’N’Barrell on his home soil in the Group 1 NZ$750,000 TV3 NZ Derby over 2400m at Ellerslie on February 28 and then headed to Sydney to beat Hauraki, also entered in the Caulfield Cup, in the Group 1 $2m BMW Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick during the Autumn Carnival.
The four year old has drawn nicely and will jump from barrier six if all four emergencies fail to gain a start and Baker would be happy to see Opie Bosson settle him in the first half of the field.
“He’s drawn a good barrier and that should enable him to get a good position,” Baker said.
“You need a lot of luck in these big races and you can never be confident but he’s in very good form and you just hope he doesn’t get any bad luck and gets his chance.”
If Mongolian Khan is 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.
Mongolian Khan remains at the top of the Caulfield Cup market order with Ladbrokes.com.au even though he has drifted slightly from $4.60 to $4.80 overnight.
Equal second favourites Snow Sky and Hauraki have both firmed marginally to be at $9.50 each just ahead of Fame Game, Rising Romance and Set Square at $10.
Caulfield Cup market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.80 Mongolian Khan, $9.50 Hauraki, Snow Sky, $10 Fame Game, Set Square, Rising Romance, $13 Complacent, $15 Hokko Brave, $17 Gust Of Wind, $21 Magic Hurricane, Royal Descent, Volkstok’N’Barrell, $26 Our Ivanhowe, Trip To Paris, $31 Who Shot Thebarman, Lucia Valentina, $51 Grand Marshall, Protectionist, Dibayani, Magnapal, Quest For More, $126 Magicool.
