Caulfield Cup 2026 Jockeys: What They Said on Kingswood

Kingswood and John Allen came from the widest run into the straight to win the 150th Caulfield Cup (2400m) for trainer Gavin Bedggood, beating Saint George by half a length (0.5L) with Enfjaar third, in a race overshadowed by the falls of Half Yours and Ohope Wins. Here’s what the jockeys said.

It is always important to hear what the jockeys say after the race, as you can forgive a horse’s bad run or even find a winner next start, so head to the post-race comments below.

HALF YOURS (Mark Zahra) – Fell

There was no post-race comment from Mark Zahra after Half Yours fell in the straight.

Zahra was taken to hospital and was discharged at around 11pm on Saturday night, Victorian Jockeys Association boss Matt Hyland told Betsy.

OHOPE WINS (Jye McNeil) – Brought down

There was no post-race comment from Jye McNeil after Ohope Wins was brought down in the straight. Sadly, the mare was humanely euthanised.

“The mare was immediately attended to by the veterinary team, however she was unable to be saved due to the nature of the injury sustained,” Racing Victoria stewards said after the race, 7NEWS reported.

McNeil was taken to hospital and was expected to be released on Sunday morning, Hyland told Betsy. Stewards adjourned their inquiry into the incident, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

GREEN SPACES (Rachel King) – 16th

Just a messy-run race from where we were. We got a lot of pressure early, got on the back of one going forward halfway and he worked into the race well but it just didn’t set up well for him today.

ROYAL SUPREMACY (Jamie Spencer) – 15th

I was having a lovely run until between the five and four (furlong point) and then the race just exploded and he’d had enough at the two pole.

KNIGHT’S CHOICE (Robbie Dolan) – 14th

He actually ran OK. It was a messy race, drew wide got too far back and he’ll be better around Flemington and over a bit further.

STARFORD (Lachlan Neindorf) – 13th

He was presented in great order as always by Joseph and the team. The blinkers were a good application, they made him travel. We found a beautiful spot, down the side there was a midrace move – they weren’t going overly hard and I was happy to let the first wave go and then latch onto the second wave – I felt like I was in a poising position at the 600 and when I let his head go he just felt like he shortened stride on a firming track.

ASTERIX (Beau Mertens) – 12th

I think he’s run terrific. I wanted to be more forward, he was just a little slow away today unfortunately, but I got on the back of Half Yours and the race was quite messy. Obviously I was blending up on the rail and there was a bit of an accident and had to didge and weave a little bit I think he stayed out the trip quite well and he ran a good, strong race.

WINE DARK SEA (Damian Lane) – 11th

Unfortunately he didn’t get around the track very well, he was on one-rein for most of the race, and then one took off early and it was just too early go and that just left him vulnerable late.

SHE’S A HUSTLER (Michael Dee) – 10th

We were flat-footed down the side when the rush came and to her credit she kept grinding away and ran a credible race.

MIDDLE EARTH (Thomas Stockdale) – 9th

I was happy with where we ended up in the run and I was happy with how he respected the bridle on a muddling tempo. Happy with how he hit the line and he’ll improve going forward to bigger targets.

SOUL OF SPAIN (Tyler Schiller) – 8th

Wasn’t ideal having to make a mid-race move on him but the pace was just too sedate, he wouldn’t relax and I just let him creep into it, but he sustained well and hopefully he can push onto the Melbourne Cup from that.

TREASURETHE MOMENT (Daniel Stackhouse) – 7th

I thought she ran well. We just rode her to have a nice economical run, they went slow when they got up the hill, the first wave come, just waited and got on the back of the eventual winner. She picked up nice, I cut the corner and I thought she finished off well.

ZAHRANN (Ethan Brown) – 6th

Stepped a touch slow, I would have liked to be a touch closer, they really jammed the brakes on midway and travelled strong. I think he just lacked a bit of momentum at the right time. I felt he picked up well going down the inside and he gave me every indication that he’ll get out further in trip.

KINGS VALLEY (Jabez Johnstone) – 5th

He’s run a cracker. I would have loved to have drawn a gate and got a better run, unfortunately he got caught three-wide but we did have cover, settled really well, found a split and ran an excellent fifth.

COSMIC CRUSADER (William Pike) – 4th

I really got my hopes up turning for him. He hit the bridle, he was travelling, I really did think I was the winner. Maybe he doesn’t like being on the speed like that, I don’t know but credit to the winner today, he was too good.

ENFJAAR (Ray Dawson) – 3rd

I couldn’t have dreamed for a better run around. I thought I was going to win turning in but he hasn’t run for a while and I think he just felt the pinch inside the last 100 metres. Very proud of him and he’ll go to the Melbourne Cup now.

SAINT GEORGE (Craig Williams) – 2nd

My horse was great, Ciaron Maher and his stable have done a great job. The horse ran his heart out, got a very uncomplicated run from the barrier, very economical, but my thoughts, most importantly, are with the horses and riders that fell.

KINGSWOOD (John Allen) – 1st

Great performance, unbelievable effort by Gavin, he had the horse spot on for today, he’s been going super this prep, he was super first up and then competing against the best the last couple of starts, dropped in weight today.

Bit of a messy race, we were three wide early but he was in a nice rhythm, didn’t want to light him up and push forward. When a bit of a wave came around him at the 1200, I was happy to leave that go and tack them into the race, I knew he’d show a good turn of foot if he travelled well into the home straight and he cantered up to them and put them away.

Brilliant. The owners too, Glen and his partner have been great supporters of mine, great to pay them back with a big win, and for Gavin, he’s a trainer going places, we’ll be hearing a lot more of him after I’m retired.

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