Caulfield Cup still in sight for Tally

A second Godolphin victory in one of Australia’s most coveted races is still within reach of the locally-trained Tally, despite the blow delivered at this week’s barrier draw.

Tally drew barrier 19 in the 20-runner field for the million Caulfield Cup, run on Saturday October 15, but his trainer John O’Shea said the race has been the horse’s target for the past six months and the wide gate had not deterred him.

“It was a bit of a blow when barrier 19 came out, but he has been set for one race,” O’Shea said.

With a run of only 250m to the first turn, Caulfield Cup chances can be won and lost in the early battle for positions.

“He’ll roll forward and we’ll know our fate in the first 400 metres,” O’Shea said.

“But as far as the horse goes, everything is in order and he is where we wanted him to be.”

Tally qualified for a Caulfield Cup start when he finished third in the G1 ATC Derby in April, giving O’Shea the opportunity to put a long-range spring plan in place.

“Once he’d qualified we were able to focus on the one race and the plan has gone how we wanted,” he said.

“The barrier isn’t a help, but the horse is in great shape and ready to run his race.”

Godolphin will also be represented in the Caulfield Cup by the Charlie Appleby-trained Scottish who is among the leading contenders for the 2400m race won by the stable with All The Good (Saeed bin Suroor) in 2008.