The Caulfield Cup form of Manighar is better than any other runner in the race and managing co-owner Terry Henderson is confident that the triple Group 1 winner will produce a big performance this weekend.
Manighar finished fifth behind Descarado in the 2010 edition of the Caulfield Cup and fourth behind Southern Speed the following year while under the care of leading European trainer Luca Cumani.
The Montjeu gelding is the only runner in the 2013 Caulfield Cup field that will be contesting the race for the third time and his Caulfield Cup form is superior to stablemate My Quest For Peace and Glencadam Gold, who finished fifth and 15th respectively in last year’s race, who are the only other horses in this year’s field with past Caulfield Cup experience.
It is fair to say that Manighar’s form has not been as strong as it has been in the past but Henderson believes the seven-year-olds performance in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) was stellar and had plenty of excuses for his poor showing in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m).
“If we go back to the previous race he only got beaten a length and a half by It’s A Dundeel and Atlantic Jewel so you would think that if he runs to that form he is a real chance,” Henderson told Racing Ahead on RSN.
“Unfortunately he had an issue and ran a poor race last time but his work since then has been great.
“We are confident that he is going to run a very forward race.”
Leading Melbourne jockey Luke Nolen does not have the best Caulfield Cup form, with his third place finish on Lights Of Heaven in last year’s race his best result in the race, but he piloted Manighar to his wins in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m), Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 The BMW (2400m).
Henderson is confident that Nolen will give the veteran stayer a stellar ride and find him some much-needed cover from barrier 11 tomorrow.
“He has a good barrier and Luke is on board, which is a big help, so if he can get a spot in there with some cover we are confident that he will run a top race,” Henderson said.
Henderson is chasing his second victory as an owner in the Caulfield Cup after winning the 1995 edition of the race with Doriemus.