G1 Caulfield Cup preview

Godolphin contender Scottish is set to become the fifth Northern Hemisphere-trained winner of the G1 Caulfield Cup when facing 17 rivals in Saturday's latest renewal in Melbourne.

Since Lady Herries brought Taufan's Melody over from the UK to triumph in 1998, Godolphin's All The Good (2008), Dunaden (2012) from France and Admire Rakti (2014) from Japan have all landed the world's richest mile-and-a-half handicap.
 
Now, I believe, it will be the turn of Scottish, a relatively unexposed son of Teofilo, having only his 12th start.

Trainer Charlie Appleby told reporters at Werribee on Friday that Scottish had been purchased privately by Godolphin earlier in the year with the ultimate aim of winning one or more of the major races during the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
 
"The G1 Cox Plate might have been considered ideal, but he is not currently rated high enough officially," Appleby explained. "But the Caulfield Cup gives him a great opportunity to win a major, particularly as he is still on the improve, and he has a competitive weight," he added.
 
Jameka, a VRC Oaks winner, receives 2.5kg from Scottish, and judging by her excellent second to Hartnell in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington last start, she is in top form. Her barrier draw of 13 is the only unappealing feature of her profile for this race.
 
German trainer Andreas Wohler saddles Articus, who, with a mere nine starts to his name, is the least experienced horse in the field. But Wohler believes his horse has the potential and ability to go very close.
 
Sir Isaac Newton, representing Ballydoyle, is battle-hardened as he displayed when winning a G3 at the Curragh earlier in the year, while six-year-old mare Real Love is in great form and expected to run well.
 
It was disappointing for Godolphin that Tally, a four-year-old son of Street Cry, drew a wide barrier (19), which is a huge disadvantage. Nevertheless, he is in great form and can sneak a place with luck in running.