Renew is still available at the lengthy 2014 Caulfield Cup odds of $201 and the imported stayer has the opportunity record the biggest upset in the history of the Group 1 event.
Renew is the extreme outsider in 2014 Caulfield Cup betting. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
The Caulfield Cup has always been a race that is capable of throwing up surprise results and in the past thirty years five horses have been able to take out the race at odds of greater than $30.
In 1986 six-year-old gelding upset the favourite Canny Lad, who finished a disappointing 16th, at Caulfield Cup odds of $33, while just three years later Ross McDonald-trained Imposera was able to take out the race at a quote of $50.
Short-priced horses had a good record in the Caulfield Cup in the early 1990s, but that changed in 1993 when Frarr delivered David Hayes his first win in the Group 1 event at a price of $30.
The biggest upset in the modern history of the Caulfield Cup occurred in 1998 when English stayer Taufan’s Melody, who was granted permission to run in the race despite failing to complete all the qualification requirements, worked homed strongly to record a controversial win at the monster quote of $66.
Ethereal (2001), Northerly (2002), Mummify (2003), Elvstroem (2004) and Master O’Reilly (2007) all won the Caulfield Cup as favourites, but another English-trained stayer was able to record an upset Caulfield Cup result when Godolphin-owned All The Good won the 2008 edition of the race at $40.
Renew will be the longest priced Caulfield Cup runner since David Hayes-trained Black Tom jumped as a $201 chance before finishing 13th behind Master O’Reilly in 2007, but trainer Archie Alexander is simply delighted to have a runner in the race.
Alexander has been the trainer of Renew for less than a week, after previously being prepared by European trainer Marco Botti, and Alexander said that all credit for the performance of the Dansili gelding belong with the Botti stable.
“We have had a pretty short relationship but he has settled in well,” Alexander said yesterday.
“It’s very exciting to have a Caulfield Cup runner although a little bit odd.
“Other trainers try year to year and I’ve been spoilt and found one right away.
“I haven’t made the horse.
“That is down to Marco Botti’s team, in particular Paul Francis who has been looking after him in quarantine.”
Renew has remained at Caulfield Cup odds of $201 with Ladbrokes since the final field was released on Tuesday, while fellow roughie Unchain My Heart has been backed from $201 into $151.
