Caulfield Cup Review: What The Jockeys Said

A stint in Japan is the gift that keeps giving for Damian Lane with Japanese representitive Mer De Glace taking out the Caulfield Cup. Here’s what the jockeys said.

Damian Lane (Mer De Glace – 1st)

He’s not much to look at but he is just a tradesman. He just keeps turning up and winning. Not many horses win five on the bounce in Japan because they are all weight for age races so they go up steep every time. I am so rapt he has done the job for everyone today.

Craig Williams (Vow And Declare – 2nd)

He was fantastic. The stable were really confident today because he’s come back so well this preparation. He’s just going to eat up two miles at Flemington. It’s really exciting to have an Australian horse taking on the world’s best stayers come the first Tuesday in November.

Ben Melham (Mirage Dancer – 3rd)

Ran a really creditable race. He had a good run through transit but he just had a bit of trouble getting out. When he did get out, he savaged the line well. He’ll be better at Flemington, I reckon.

Luke Nolen (Constantinople – 4th)

He was terrific. It was a muddling-run race and with a big-striding horse, that was probably against us from an inside draw. We can look at the silver lining, he doesn’t get a penalty for the Melbourne Cup and Flemington will suit. Can’t wait for two weeks time.

Michael Walker (Finche – 5th)

The horse ran super. He ran really well and he fought hard all the way to the line. He handled Caulfield no problems but his turn of foot is better at Flemington with the longer straight. He settled beautifully and he’s on track for the Melbourne Cup.

Damien Oliver (Mustajeer – 6th)

He ran a good race. He probably needed a faster tempo because it was a pretty muddling-run race. He was on the back of the winner on the turn but the winner just had fat too good acceleration. He stuck on really well but I think he’d just appreciate a bit more tempo.

Brad Rawiller (Hartnell – 7th)

He ran great. He had a good run but just down the side, we needed to make a move. It was a bit soon out and it didn’t open up for us and we didn’t get any luck down the straight.

Patrick Cosgrave (Red Verdon – 8th)

Ran well. It got a little messy in the straight but it was a nice run.

Stephen Baster (The Chosen One – 9th)

Coming around the home turn, I thought we were a chance because I was following the winner. He was just not quite strong enough this year.

James Winks (Sound – 10th)

Really good. He worked with me today and as you’ll see on the corner, he just got poleaxed. If he didn’t get poleaxed, he would have run in the top five.

John Allen (Mr Quickie – 11th)

He was just misbehaving in the barriers again and stepped a bit slow but he got into a good rhythm and worked into the race on the bend but he just got locked down in the straight. He had nowhere to go and if he’d had the right run through, he’d have gone close.

Mark Du Plessis (Gold Mount – 12th)

He had a lovely run. He settled good and finished if off good. He just got held up a couple of strides turning into the straight behind Qafila when she stopped and I couldn’t get off the fence. He’s finished it off really well.

Beau Mertens (Wolfe – 13th)

We had a lovely lead there and he relaxed really nicely for me. From the 600, he picked up a little bit but for him to run like he did, considering he backed up from Wednesday, I’m very happy with him.

Michael Dee (Brimham Rocks – 14th)

From that alley, we had no luck. We were instructed to go forward and we tried our best to get cover but we weren’t able to do so.

Dean Yendall (Angel Of Truth – 15th)

Probably a forget run. He went well late. I thought I was following the right horse but he never took me anywhere and then a few went around him. He ended up in an awkward spot.

Dwayne Dunn (Rostropovich – 16th)

Missing the start was very costly. He was always up against it after that.

Corey Parish (Qalifa – 17th)

I got into a good position and I was happy with the way she travelled. Coming around the corner, the gap was there and she just struggled and then we hit the wind off that inside, which made it harder. It was a tough ask but I was happy with that effort.

Brett Prebble (Big Duke – 18th)

I got into a good position and I was happy with the way she travelled. Coming around the corner, the gap was there and she just struggled and then we hit the wind off that inside, which made it harder. It was a tough ask but I was happy with that effort.