Godolphin win with All The Good
October 18th 2008 08:01
After years of effort the blue colours of Godolphin have finally broken through for their first major success in Australia with victory in the $2.5 million Caulfield Cup.
It was to be with an unfancied horse, All The Good, who started at 40/1 even after being a last start winner in England when defeating a field of 20 in the Newburgh Stakes over 2700m.
Under the control of Kerrin McEvoy - who has recently been subjected to an onslaught of criticism for his riding since returning home to Australia - the 6 year old chestnut entire swept to the lead in the straight and then held all challenges at bay.
“To win this is such a thrill. To don the blue colours for Godolphin, who have supported me for six or seven years, it's very special. The horse looks a real chance in the Melbourne Cup now too. That was only his fourth start for the stable.” - Kerrin McEvoy.
New Zealand star Nom De Jeu finished strongly for second placing - while Barbaricus defied the pattern of the race and his 100/1 odds - when he sped to the front with around 1600m to go and kicked clear on turning before holding on so bravely. A horse with a very strong speedrating that has been underrated previously - Barbaricus was the first horse home from the Danny O’Brien trio - and the one considered least likely to figure in the finish. Master O’Reilly finished strongly for 7th and has been trained more for the Melbourne Cup this year. Douro Valley (the other O’Brien trained horse) finished 13th - splitting Weekend Hussler (12th) and Guillotine (14th). Given that the other horses on the speed all dropped away, the run of Barbaricus was full of merit. The first 1200m of this Caulfield Cup was run faster than the final 1200m.
I have nothing but admiration for Weekend Hussler. I have often been an advocate for him having a much higher world ranking. But I have also wondered if it is possible to be a champion from 1000m to 1600m - and then a champion at 2400m (or longer!)? It always appeared unlikely - but then this relaxed horse seemed capable of the ridiculous (and that prospect of dominating at 1000m and then 3200m is ridiculous). Today proved that it is not possible after all.
Weekend Hussler travelled so very well (as he always does over any distance) and when he loomed up for a brief moment the improbable appeared possible. But it was not to be. He does not stay. It was a great adventure imagined by Ross McDonald for his champion horse. But staying trips must now be never attempted again. His 1800m speedfigures are still excellent - and I wonder if a middle distance of 1800m to 2000m might be possible with the right run in transit. But I would love to see him return to races from 1000m to 1600m. And he could dominate as he has done before for many seasons to come.
Guillotine was the Montjeu horse (more so than Nom De Jeu) that I expected to figure in the finish. But after they left the straight the first time - and he had been hunted and hustled to get across and briefly share the lead - I had all but given up hope. He will run staying trips with great effect - but he does need to be put to sleep in the run.
Littorio - who ran favourite - finished a closing fifth, but never looked a winning threat after being under pressure a long way out. But Flemington is his preferred track. Perhaps another day.
Of course the run of the race was Luca Cumani’s Mad Rush. I had written about him yesterday - and when he was nominated months ago. A chequered path through traffic and a determined and bulldog effort. Godolphin have won one of the two feature cups. It may be the English and Irish champion trainers of Luca Cumani with Mad Rush - and Aidan O’Brien with Septimus - left to fight out the remaining hallowed prize of the Melbourne Cup.
Or Efficient - the local staying champion?
Or?
1st : All The Good
2nd: Nom De Jeu
3rd: Barbaricus
4th: Mad Rush
5th: Littorio
6th: Red Ruler
7th: Master O’Reilly
8th: Ice Chariot
9th: Maldivian
10th: Viewed
11th: Boundless
12th: Weekend Hussler
13th: Douro Valley
14th: Guillotine
15th: Dolphin Jo
16th: Riva San
17th: Fiumicino
All The Good winning the Newburgh
It was to be with an unfancied horse, All The Good, who started at 40/1 even after being a last start winner in England when defeating a field of 20 in the Newburgh Stakes over 2700m.
Under the control of Kerrin McEvoy - who has recently been subjected to an onslaught of criticism for his riding since returning home to Australia - the 6 year old chestnut entire swept to the lead in the straight and then held all challenges at bay.
“To win this is such a thrill. To don the blue colours for Godolphin, who have supported me for six or seven years, it's very special. The horse looks a real chance in the Melbourne Cup now too. That was only his fourth start for the stable.” - Kerrin McEvoy.
New Zealand star Nom De Jeu finished strongly for second placing - while Barbaricus defied the pattern of the race and his 100/1 odds - when he sped to the front with around 1600m to go and kicked clear on turning before holding on so bravely. A horse with a very strong speedrating that has been underrated previously - Barbaricus was the first horse home from the Danny O’Brien trio - and the one considered least likely to figure in the finish. Master O’Reilly finished strongly for 7th and has been trained more for the Melbourne Cup this year. Douro Valley (the other O’Brien trained horse) finished 13th - splitting Weekend Hussler (12th) and Guillotine (14th). Given that the other horses on the speed all dropped away, the run of Barbaricus was full of merit. The first 1200m of this Caulfield Cup was run faster than the final 1200m.
I have nothing but admiration for Weekend Hussler. I have often been an advocate for him having a much higher world ranking. But I have also wondered if it is possible to be a champion from 1000m to 1600m - and then a champion at 2400m (or longer!)? It always appeared unlikely - but then this relaxed horse seemed capable of the ridiculous (and that prospect of dominating at 1000m and then 3200m is ridiculous). Today proved that it is not possible after all.
Weekend Hussler travelled so very well (as he always does over any distance) and when he loomed up for a brief moment the improbable appeared possible. But it was not to be. He does not stay. It was a great adventure imagined by Ross McDonald for his champion horse. But staying trips must now be never attempted again. His 1800m speedfigures are still excellent - and I wonder if a middle distance of 1800m to 2000m might be possible with the right run in transit. But I would love to see him return to races from 1000m to 1600m. And he could dominate as he has done before for many seasons to come.
Guillotine was the Montjeu horse (more so than Nom De Jeu) that I expected to figure in the finish. But after they left the straight the first time - and he had been hunted and hustled to get across and briefly share the lead - I had all but given up hope. He will run staying trips with great effect - but he does need to be put to sleep in the run.
Littorio - who ran favourite - finished a closing fifth, but never looked a winning threat after being under pressure a long way out. But Flemington is his preferred track. Perhaps another day.
Of course the run of the race was Luca Cumani’s Mad Rush. I had written about him yesterday - and when he was nominated months ago. A chequered path through traffic and a determined and bulldog effort. Godolphin have won one of the two feature cups. It may be the English and Irish champion trainers of Luca Cumani with Mad Rush - and Aidan O’Brien with Septimus - left to fight out the remaining hallowed prize of the Melbourne Cup.
Or Efficient - the local staying champion?
Or?
1st : All The Good
2nd: Nom De Jeu
3rd: Barbaricus
4th: Mad Rush
5th: Littorio
6th: Red Ruler
7th: Master O’Reilly
8th: Ice Chariot
9th: Maldivian
10th: Viewed
11th: Boundless
12th: Weekend Hussler
13th: Douro Valley
14th: Guillotine
15th: Dolphin Jo
16th: Riva San
17th: Fiumicino
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