Big Memory remains friendless at 2014 Caulfield Cup odds of $26, but trainer Tony McEvoy remains hopeful that the imported stayer can join Master O’Reilly as the only horse to complete the Herbert Power Stakes/Caulfield Cup double since 1970.
Punters are not confident that Big Memory can record a second straight win in the 2014 Caulfield Cup this afternoon. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Big Memory opened at a quote of $17 in 2014 Caulfield Cup betting markets when the field was released on Tuesday, but he has been drifter throughout the week and he is one of the only horses in the field that has not received a sprinkling of support following the withdrawals of Dandino, Gris Caro, Bande and Dear Demi.
The Duke Of Marmalade gelding earnt a start in the $3 million race by taking out the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield last weekend, but the race has proven an extremely poor Caulfield Cup form guide in modern times and Master O’Reilly is the only horse to have won both races since 1970.
McEvoy is taking a positive outlook heading into the Caulfield Cup and he told RSN this morning that he would not be running Big Memory if he did not believe that he was capable of producing a positive Caulfield Cup result.
“It was done in 2007 and I think so,” McEvoy said.
“I certainly would not be running the horse if I thought that he had shown me any signs that he felt last week.
“He has been eating his maximum feed all week and he has been acting normally on the track, so I am hoping that he can handle it.”
Big Memory made his Australian racing debut in a benchmark 76 event in June last year and has made a great deal of progress in the past 12 months.
McEvoy admits that he did not think that Big Memory would be ready for a race like the Caulfield Cup when he started his 2014 Spring Racing Carnival campaign, but he believes that the five-year-old has matured significantly this preparation and is worthy of his place in the Caulfield Cup field.
“I thought that it was a year too soon for my two young horses,” McEvoy said.
“I sort of had my clients prepared to wait another year, which they were all very happy to do.
“Sure enough he worked his way into the field and it is very exciting to be there this year.
“He has really sort of settled into it; it just took him a while.
“He came out as a colt and he didn’t concentrate at all out here in his first prep, but he has really settled in and become a nice horse to be around.
“He has now really settled into his rhythm.”
Lucia Valentina remains favourite at Caulfield Cup odds of $4.40, while Brambles has been a clear market mover and is into $9 after being available at $21 less than 24 hours ago.
