Journalists Wandering Eyes Posted October 18, 2023 Journalists Share Posted October 18, 2023 Gold Trip, ridden by Mark Zahra, wins the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Defending Melbourne Cup champion Gold Trip, from the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace barn, headlines a capacity 18 horse field for the 2023 Caulfield Cup (2400m). The $5million group 1 event for stayers is the highlight on Saturday’s 10-race meeting at Caulfield. Having finished second in the Caulfield Cup last year, Gold Trip will be looking to go one better in the event 12 months later. Gold Trip managed to claim the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at his last start and despite a potential Cox Plate (2040m) tilt next weekend, connections have opted to accept in the Caulfield Cup once again. The three-time winner from 22 starts competed in all three spring majors last year and looks set to do so once again this campaign. Gold Trip will carry 58.5kg on Saturday, with Ben Melham booked to ride as Melham looks to complete the feature double during the Caulfield Cup Carnival having claimed the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) aboard Griff. Regular jockey for Gold Trip, Mark Zahra, will partner the Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Without A Fight on the weekend. Zahra had been committed to ride Without A Fight for some time prior to the news that Gold Trip would line up in the Caulfield Cup. Without A Fight has not been seen since finishing sixth in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) when producing a strong finishing burst late. Chris Waller will saddle up three runners in the Caulfield Cup, as he looks to add further success in the race after Verry Elleegant (2020) and Durston (2022) reigned supreme in the event over recent years. Soulcombe looks to be the best of Waller’s hopes with Craig Williams booked to ride, while Francesco Guardi will have the company of James McDonald for Saturday’s feature. Three international gallopers have accepted with Breakup representing Japan, for trainer Tatsuya Yoshioka and jockey Damian Lane. Joseph O’Brien will saddle up Okita Soushi (Kerrin McEvoy) and Valiant King in the Caulfield Cup. The 2023 Caulfield Cup barrier draw is set to be held on Wednesday, October 18 at Caulfield Racecourse, following the completion of the Coongy Cup Day races. 2023 Caulfield Cup final field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Gold Trip Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Ben Melham TBC 58.5kg 2 Without A Fight Anthony & Sam Freedman Mark Zahra TBC 55.5kg 3 Breakup Tatsuya Yoshioka Damian Lane TBC 55kg 4 Montefilia Chris Waller Nash Rawiller TBC 54.5kg 5 Francesco Guardi Chris Waller James McDonald TBC 54kg 6 West Wind Blows Simon & Ed Crisford Jamie Spencer TBC 54kg 7 Nonconformist Grahame Begg Harry Coffey TBC 53.5kg 8 Soulcombe Chris Waller Craig Williams TBC 53.5kg 9 Duke De Sessa Ciaron Maher & David Eustace John Allen TBC 53kg 10 Hoo Ya Mal Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark TBC 53kg 11 Right You Are Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Michael Dee TBC 53kg 12 Emissary Mike Moroney Jye McNeil TBC 52kg 13 Goldman Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Linda Meech TBC 52kg 14 Okita Soushi Joseph O’Brien Kerrin McEvoy TBC 51.5kg 15 Fame Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Craig Newitt TBC 51kg 16 Bois D’argent Annabel Neasham Winona Costin TBC 50.5kg 17 Spirit Ridge Annabel Neasham Dean Yendall TBC 50.5kg 18 Valiant King Joseph O’Brien Jamie Kah TBC 50kg 19 United Nations (1E) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Carleen Hefel TBC 50kg More horse racing news View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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