Consistent performer Maurus is the horse to beat when thirteen stayers line up at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday, according to 2016 Caloundra Cup betting markets.
Maurus is the horse to beat in Saturday’s Listed Caloundra Cup on the Sunshine Coast. Photo: Steve Hart
An odds-on favourite this weekend, Maurus has been one of the standout performers for trainer David Vandyke through recent seasons and has shown a clear affiliation with the Queensland way of going since arriving at the beginning of the recent Brisbane Winter Carnival.
Posting six wins and seven minors through only seventeen career starts so far, Maurus returned to racing in February for second in the Ranvet BM92 (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens before running on for third in the Listed Randwick City Stakes (2000m).
Trialling well following a freshen-up, the Medicean gelding arrived in Brisbane for a dominant win in the Windsor Management Insurance Brokers Handicap (2200m), and laid a typically great account for himself when fifth in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on May 21st.
Having delivered a classy field a near four length defeat in the Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) a fortnight ago, Maurus is drawn ideally in barrier 8 and will be partnered by last-start hoop Damian Browne.
Interestingly, it is Dale Healy-trained Instrumentalist how continues to receive the most attention in 2016 Caloundra Cup betting markets; cutting in from an opening quote of $18 to currently register as a $13 chance.
Instrumentalist has steadily built to the task in the lead-up to the Caloundra Cup and has been charged with carrying a very manageable 54kgs in the staying feature.
Placing fifth in the Toowoomba Cup (2000m) on April 16th, Instrumentalist placed third behind Maurus on April 30th before a credible performance for seventh in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2200m).
Relishing the conditions when third in the Ipswich Cup last time, the Amadeus Wolf gelding will be partnered by in-form hoop James Orman from barrier 2 this weekend.
Amexed will carry winning form Saturday’s race, will enjoy a return to a mile and a half and is arguably over the Caloundra Cup odds at his current $16 quote.
Amexed poked clear to beat a number of notable competitors in the Ipswich Stayers Cup (2150m), drops 2.5kgs from that win and should find a good position off pace from barrier 9, with Robbie Fradd aboard on Saturday.
Index Linked returned to winning form in the Group 3 Tattersall’s Cup (2400m) last weekend, but has drifted to Caloundra Cup odds of $7 with Ladbrokes Australia.
