Administration: Melbourne Racing Club.
Feature Races: The Caulfield Cup is a Group 1 handicap held over 2400 metres in mid October at Caulfield racecourse in Melbourne's inner east. The highlight of Caulfield's 3 day Carnival with prize money of $2.5 million, the Caulfield Cup is regarded as one of the best lead up form races for the Melbourne Cup, but also stands out as one of the finest 2400m handicap races in the world. Other quality feature races throughout the year at Caulfield include the Caulfield Guineas, Blue Diamond, Oakleigh Plate, Toorak Handicap, Underwood Stakes and Futurity Stakes.
History: First Caulfield Cup run was run in the autumn of 1879, and moved to the spring in 1881. During the war years the track was closed and used as an army camp, with the Caulfield Cup being run at Flemington. Modern renovations to the track and the enclosed grandstand have made it one of the premier racecourses in Australia with top class facilities for the horses, club members and the public. Each raceday in the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival has an official flower, for the Caulfield Cup it is Lily of the Valley.
Caulfield Cup Statistics: Fastest time recorded - Diatribe 2000 in 2:25.3. 11 horses have won the Caulfield Cup - Melbourne Cup double, the last being the New Zealand mare Ethereal in 2001. Favourites have a good record, winning in five of the last 8 years. Imported horses to win: Fraar (1993) Taufans Melody (1998) & All The Good (2008). Rising Fast (1954) is the only horse to win the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate & Melbourne Cup in the same year. As well as holding the record for training the most Melbourne Cup winners (12), Bart Cummings has trained 7 winners of the Caulfield Cup including Viewed in 2009. 10 horses have carried the Number 1 saddlecoth to win, the last being Northerly in 2002.
How to get to Caulfield Racecourse:
By Car: Located about 13kms from the Melbourne CBD via the Monash Freeway, parking is available on course. Melways reference 68 E1.
By Train: Frankston, Dandenong, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines depart regularly from Flinders Street to Caulfield Station, located directly opposite the course. The journey from the City takes approximately 15 minutes. Additional services are provided during peak times
By Tram: The No. 3 from the City along Swanston Street. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes with racegoers alighting at Stop 52.
Caulfield Track Bias, Starting Distances, Barriers:
About the track: Circumference is 2080 metres, length of the home straight is 367 metres. The grass is kept long and lush at this track, the going is usually on the softer side of Good and often rated Dead. After heavy rain, the conditions can become very sticky and runners will usually avoid the ground near the inside fence, particularly when the rail is out 3 metres or more.
1000-1200 metres - There are five corners at Caulfield, but they are rarely used with the majority of races being held over the 1000m – 1400m distances. In sprint races, regardless of whether the rail is in the true position or moved out, we often see an advantage those runners who are drawn in and can race on the pace. When the rail is out, the winners will be those in the leading division.
1400 metres - Starting from a short branch at the back of the course, this start forces runners into a turn almost immediately, runners who have gained a forward position before the 1200 metres mark have an advantage. For this reason, an inside gate is preferred, particularly when the rail has been moved out 5 metres or more.
1600-2000 metres – Generally there is little bias to report with most runners having their chance when the rail is True. When the rail is out 5 metres or more there is an advantage to racing on the pace although it will be possible to make ground over the concluding stages if the pace has been keen up front.
2400 metres - Caulfield Cup Start. Ideal barriers are between 3 - 10. The last winner to draw an outside gate was Let's Elope in 1991, since then no winners have drawn outside 13. The maximum number of runners in the Caulfield Cup is 18 with 4 emergencies. There is usually plenty of pace from the front runners, top weights drawn in can get too far back and struggle to make ground. The Caulfield Cup is a tough handicap event and the pace is strong throughout. On pace runners can manage to fall into a place, but the winner is usually a quality stayer who can run out the trip by finding something extra in the closing stages. The rail is often out 6 metres on Caulfield Cup day, so drawing a good barrier is important. Early Betting on the 2010 Caulfield Cup is available from Sportsbet.
See the Track Bias Report for more information on this weeks racing conditions, including scratchings & weather.
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