Gearing Up for the Biggest Stuff

Gearing Up for the Biggest StuffThe Caulfield Cup, then the Cox Plate, followed by the VRC Derby and of course the Melbourne Cup. Then there's the Oaks and also we'll see the Mackinnon, and so forth.Horses are nearing their best for a tilt at these. A handful have their final preparations today. Some are desperates: win today or you don't make the big fields. Others will be tuning up.Oh they can win, sure, but they will NOT be 100% fit.The races we can be sure of are the ones where this is the h

Gearing Up for the Biggest Stuff

The Caulfield Cup, then the Cox Plate, followed by the VRC Derby and of course the Melbourne Cup. Then there's the Oaks and also we'll see the Mackinnon, and so forth.

Horses are nearing their best for a tilt at these. A handful have their final preparations today. Some are desperates: win today or you don't make the big fields. Others will be tuning up.

Oh they can win, sure, but they will NOT be 100% fit.

The races we can be sure of are the ones where this is the highlight of their spring. Races like the Guineas, for example.They'll all be at their peaks for this one! This is for the honour and glory of a major Group One race. Mostly very good horses win it and they often go on to greatness. Not always, but then what race can you name where every winner has subsequently done big things?

This race, however, is a bottler today. We all have our opinions. Frankly I can see three ways the race can be run. And there's another factor.

The Caulfield track.

Leaders or swoopers? It really matters in this race, especially to the favourites' division.

Anyway you can be certain of a few things. The three year olds are ready to fly, and the marginal entries for the Cups will try their hearts out in their events.

I'd be nervous, though, about backing anything that already has its ticket booked for one of the big three races. Fine tuning is a delicate art and it's timed to the day. Cups aspirants are fit... but possibly not quite 100% so... unless they MUST win to qualify.

It's worth more than a passing thought.

á

á