The 2015 Caulfield Cup form guide can be very confusing for rookie punters that just want to find the Caulfield Cup winner, so we have done the work for your and come up with a short yet easy to understand form assessment for all 18 runners in the Group 1 event.
Set Square has been in great form in the lead-up to the 2015 Caulfield Cup. Photo by: Sarah Ebbett
Protectionist – He was absolutely dominant in the Melbourne Cup last year, but he has not been able to replicate that form and needs to improve significantly to be any chance.
Snow Sky – The Hardwicke Stakes winner has been the best-backed runner in the lead-up to the Caulfield Cup and if he is able to replicate his best European form he is going to be very hard to beat.
Fame Game – The Japanese stayer is a dominant favourite in Melbourne Cup betting, but there has been plenty of speculation that he is too dour for the 2400 metres of the Caulfield Cup and barrier one is no help.
Our Ivanhowe – He has recorded two wins at the highest level of racing over 2400 metres in Europe and looks to have found close to his best form in the lead-up to the Caulfield Cup. He is the best roughie in the race.
Hokko Brave – Hokko Brave does not have the same talent as Fame Game, but he may be better suited to 2400 metres and will settle closer to the pace than his Japanese rival.
Mongolian Khan – The Australian Derby winner is a clear Caulfield Cup favourite and deservingly so. His Caulfield Stakes run was outstanding and he is sure to relish the step-up in trip to 2400 metres.
Trip To Paris – You can’t knock a horse that won the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, but there is a genuine concern that he is too dour for the Caulfield Cup and will be far better suited in the Melbourne Cup.
Who Shot Thebarman – The Sydney Cup runner-up is ticking over nicely ahead of the Caulfield Cup and he is a top six chance, but he is another horse that is better suited in the Melbourne Cup.
Grand Marshal – No horse has ever won the Sydney Cup and the Caulfield Cup in the same year and it would surprise if it happens in 2015, but Grand Marshal is another horse that should finish in the top ten.
Royal Descent – The consistent mare has not been seen at 2400 metres since she finished fifth in this race 12 months ago and she would be right in this race if it wasn’t for the wide barrier draw that will make things very difficult.
Volkstok’n’barrell – He was placed in both the New Zealand Derby and the Australian Derby as a three-year-old, but he has been unable to perform at that level this campaign and it would surprise if he was a factor.
Hauraki– The Godolphin stayer finished second behind Mongolian Khan in the Australian Derby and a similar performance would have him right in this. He is a tough horse to assess, but he can’t be ruled out.
Lucia Valentina – Lucia Valentina started the Caulfield Cup as favourite last year, but she has been friendless in betting and it is fair to say that she has not had the best lead-up to this year’s race.
Rising Romance – She has a simply outstanding record over 2400 metres and she was arguably unlucky not to win the Caulfield Cup last year. She will go very close and be in the finish once again.
Magicool – He won the Queensland Derby, but he probably shouldn’t be in this race. He has been extremely ordinary in all of his starts this preparation and it would surprise if he managed to beat a few home.
Gust Of Wind – The Australian Oaks winner is a genuine stayer and she will relish the step-up to 2400 metres, but Caulfield will probably not suit and she will be a better chance in the Melbourne Cup.
Set Square – There has been plenty of support for Set Square and she ran well in the Turnbull Stakes, but she hasn’t recorded a race win since she took out the Crown Oaks last year and she looks a touch under the odds.
Magnapal – Earnt his place in the Caulfield Cup field with his win in Naturalism Stakes, but he simply isn’t up to this level and it is tough to see him running in the top ten.
For more information on every horse in the field head over to our Complete 2015 Caulfield Cup Form Guide.
