Kiwi stayer The Chosen One has booked a spot in the 2019 Caulfield Cup following a return to the winner’s stall in the Group 2 $400,000 Ladbrokes Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield today.
The Chosen One, above, is into the Caulfield Cup following his win in the Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
The Chosen One was coming off a disappointing last start ninth in the Group 1 $750,000 Hyland Race Colours Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield a fortnight ago but the four year old was able to turn that form around with the blinkers going on today.
Top New Zealand trainer Murray Baker was delighted to see The Chosen One back to his best but added that he still has improvement in him heading into the Group 1 $5.15m Stella Artois Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield next Saturday.
“It was a good win. He was a long way back, picked them up, came widest,” Baker said.
“We were hoping for a better run today cause he was very disappointing the other day when he ran in the Underwood.”
“He was dropping back to a handicap and I think it suited him.”
“The speed was on and he saw the trip out which was the main thing so he is into the Caulfield Cup now.”
“I think he is an improving horse. He hasn’t had a lot of racing. It was his thirteenth start and I hope that he will on with it.”
The Chosen One has been a big firmer in the betting for the Caulfield Cup and has trimmed in from $61 to be a $14 chance with Ladbrokes.com.au after scoring a half a length win over Prince Of Arran ($8.50) in the Herbert Power Stakes.
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young trained Sully ($9.50) stuck to his guns in the straight find third spot.
The Chosen One was elevated to be the equal favourite for the Herbert Power Stakes at $6.50 with eleventh placed Haky following the late scratching of the ruling favourite Steel Prince after the gelding got hurt after being loaded into the barriers.
Winning jockey Damian Lane settled the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman trained The Chosen One in the second half of the field and then then brought the Caulfield Cup bound stayer with a well-timed run to score a stylishly win.
