The 150th running of the $6.55 million Caulfield Cup promises to be a fascinating edition of the Group 1 staying feature, with reigning champion Half Yours returning to defend his crown.
Turnbull Stakes winner Cosmic Crusader faces a genuine test over 2400m and a wide alley, while Naturalism Stakes winner Zahrann has drawn ideally in barrier four and European raider Enfjaar will start from the inside gate, setting the scene for a thrilling battle on Saturday.
Scroll down for our Caulfield tip sheet, including 2026 Caulfield Cup best bets.
Vantaa has only made two appearances at the races since debuting, but after only just missing at his first start over 1500m at Mornington, he kicked away to win easily on the Pakenham synthetic last time out. This is an obvious rise in class, but he clearly has plenty of ability and upside, while breeding dictates the 2000m will also suit.
| 7. Vantaa (6) J: Jake Noonan 57kg 21 T: Matt Laurie | |||
| Lining up for just third start. When well in the market at debut, 2nd of 9 in a Mdn-Sw at Mornington on September 17 over 1500m, head behind Top Conti with 57kg at $2.80. Second-up favourite; won by 2 len in a Mdn-Sw at Pakenham Synthetic on October 5 over 1600m defeating Latassa with 57kg at $1.75. Progressive, this is a good test. | |||
Miss Waititi’s condition just gave out a little late when she finished third, though beaten less than a length over a mile at Seymour when resuming, but she took big improvement into a dominant win in the Super Impose Stakes at Flemington last time out. Fitter third-up and out to the 2000m, I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish again.
| 2. Miss Waititi (2) J: Craig Williams 57kg 6×31 T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Third-up today. First-up 3rd of 7 in a Mdn-Sw at Seymour on September 10 over 1600m, on a slow track; 0.8 len behind Skua with 55kg at $3.50. Second run from a spell ran on from midfield and won by 2.5 len in the LR Super Impose Stakes at Flemington on October 3 over 1800m on a heavy track defeating Vallice carrying 55kg at $6.50. Strong win latest and will be very hard to hold out. | |||
Geegees Mistruth looks well placed back in class on Caulfield Cup Day. The Group 1 winner is yet to place in two runs back this time, but she’s been very good late and through the line for fifth in both the Moir Stakes and the Manikato Stakes at Group 1 level. Fitter third-up, Blake Shinn retains the ride and should be able to navigate to a nice position in behind the early speed from barrier 6 before calling on the mare’s strong turn of foot again.
| 1. Geegees Mistruth (6) J: Blake Shinn 61kg 21×55 T: Mark Walker | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming 5th of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, on a slow track; 2 len behind My Gladiola with 56.5kg at $12. Last start 5th of 13 in the G1 Manikato Stakes at this track on September 27 over 1200m, 2.25 len behind Jimmysstar with 56.5kg at $26. Way back in grade and should be too good. | |||
I Am Aria was an eye-catching winner over 1000m at Bendigo when resuming in maiden company back in August, and while she hasn’t struck in two subsequent starts up in class, she was only just denied by Over The Bridge in the Group 3 Champagne Stakes last time out. That performance suggested getting out to 1400m would be suitable, and with every luck in the run from a good alley, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
| 13. I Am Aria (4) J: Michael Dee 54kg 0x172 T: Mark Walker | |||
| Most recently raced on the pace when 2nd of 11 in the G3 Scarborough Stakes at this track on September 27 over 1200m, head behind Over The Bridge carrying 56kg at $31. Before that got back early 7th of 13 in the G3 Cap D’Antibes Stakes at Flemington on September 12 over 1100m, 3 len behind Satono Glow with 56kg at $31. Sets up well on speed again, hard to beat. | |||
While yet to win in three runs back from a break, Private Eye has placed in both a PB Lawrence and a Shannon Stakes, finding form around the likes of Cosmic Crusader and Skyhook. In this small field, I’m confident he’ll get his chance, and he’s my best bet on the program.
| 1. Private Eye (2) J: Blake Shinn 59kg 5×273 T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Last start raced on speed throughout when 3rd of 8 in the G2 Shannon Stakes at Rosehill on September 26 over 1500m, 3.5 len behind Skyhook carrying 60kg at $4.80. The run before that ran second last of 8 in the G2 Tramway Stakes at Randwick on September 5 over 1400m, 5.5 len behind Headley Grange with 57kg at $5. Gets every chance and is still right up to this level. | |||
Bev’s Nine has won six of nine starts since debuting, ending his last prep with an eye-catching victory in the Ortensia Stakes, while he dusted off the cobwebs with a decent enough fresh effort behind Pallaton and Ndola here at Caulfield last month. Unbeaten in two previous second up attempts, he drops in the weights and gets the services of Blake Shinn again this week.
| 5. Bev’s Nine (7) J: Blake Shinn 56kg 721×3 T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 9 in a Bm100 at this track on September 19 over 1100m, 0.8 len behind Pallaton with 59.5kg at $5. Previously second-up won by 1.75 len in a Bm78 Final at Canterbury on February 27 over 1100m in soft going defeating Kimberley Secrets with 61kg at $3.30. Can improve and take catching over this distance. | |||
De Armas finished midfield amongst older horses over 1200m at Warwick Farm when resuming and took plenty of improvement into an excellent performance to only just miss in the Group 1 Flight Stakes at Randwick a fortnight ago. Fitter third-up, she need only handle the Victorian way of going to be in the finish again, and she looks a touch of overs in the market at her opening price in my opinion.
| 4. De Armas (7) J: William Pike 56kg x4x52 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming got back early 5th of 10 in a 3yo Bm68 at Warwick Farm on September 23 over 1200m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Blessed Eagle carrying 61kg at $71. Second run from a spell raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 7 in the G1 Flight Stakes at Randwick on October 3 over 1600m, slow going long-neck behind Global Goal carrying 56kg at $12. Can improve again, have to respect yard bringing her down. | |||
Stretan Ruler was excellent throughout his two-year-old prep, racing consistently and picking off the Silver Slipper up in Sydney before ending his campaign a credible fifth in the Golden Slipper. His fresh run was clearly needed when he finished down the order in the Danehill Stakes, but back to Caulfield and into a race with a turn, he’s drawn to receive a lovely run under Lachie Neindorf.
| 1. Stretan Ruler (4) J: Lachlan Neindorf 57kg 125×0 T: Phillip & Tommy Stokes | |||
| Second run back. First-up after seven months sat behind the speed prior to fading to run last of 11 in the G2 Danehill Stakes at Flemington on October 3 over 1100m, on heavy track; 6 len behind The Next Episode with 58.5kg at $41. Previously second-up came from midfield and won by 3.5 len in the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes at Rosehill on February 21 over 1100m defeating Eviction Notice with 56.5kg at $5.50. See again. | |||
Wine Dark Sea has been excellent in some of Europe’s top staying features this year, winning three of four starts at his latest preparation, including the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes over 2617m at Newbury in August, beating home the likes of Dubai Honour and lugging 61kgs to success. With one eye on a Melbourne Cup, he just needs some luck in the run from a wide draw, but certainly looks up to the class of something like this.
| 10. Wine Dark Sea (19) J: Damian Lane 54.5kg 1151x T: Harry Charlton | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of nine weeks. Finished off last preparation by 1.5 len Newbury G3 Geoffrey Freer August 15 over 2715m defeating Tabletalk with 61kg at $4.50. Previous preparation first-up won by 2 len Ascot May 9 over 2414m defeating Bulletin carrying 54kg at $17. Talented raider, the booking of D Lane is a huge positive. | |||
Concorde Connie enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence when the winner of three-consecutive races during her autumn prep, highlighted by an incredible six-length romp over 1400m at Flemington. She trialled up well and was only just denied over 1200m at Mornington when resuming but stripping fitter and getting back out to her pet trip this week should suit her right down to the ground.
| 12. Concord Connie (10) J: Jett Stanley 55kg 111×2 T: Charlotte Littlefield | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 7 in a Mares Bm78 at Mornington on September 26 over 1200m, on a slow track; nose behind Per Sempre carrying 59kg at $1.30. Previously second-up favourite; won by 6 len in a 3yo F Hcp at Flemington on April 25 over 1400m defeating Two To Tango carrying 56.5kg at $3.60. Beaten in easier fresh but is better than that and can improve sharply. | |||
