Caulfield Cup / Steve Mcghee / 17 October 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

The first three ballots of the 2009 G1 Caulfield Cup rate massive chances in the consolation G3 David Jones Cup (2000m), which is the race run right before the main event of the day.

Two of them deserved a start in the big show (Baughurst and Shocking) and the other is a fourth up specialist (Newport), so bettors can now build up their bank for an even bigger splurge on the Caulfield Cup.

The first three ballots of the 2009 Caulfield Cup look major wagering plays one race before in the consolation G3 David Jones Cup (2000m), with Newport certain to be at more inviting odds than Baughurst and Shocking, which are guaranteed to have stout support.

NEWPORT is a fourth up specialist having won three times before in that state and more importantly in his last two preparations to show as he gets older things stay the same.

His last two wins fourth up from a spell have come despite indifferent form at his previous start or starts, so do not judge him on his current lead up form without closer analysis.

His last two fourth up starts have returned blacktype wins, with the G1 Metropolitan (2400m) in 2008 at Randwick and the G3 City Stakes (2000m) this autumn at Randwick under 58.5kg.

Interestingly that G3 City Stakes win saw him ridden for only the third time by Nash Rawiller, his rider on Saturday in the G3 David Jones Cup (2000m).

The other two times that saw Rawiller aboard returned a win and a not far away fifth in the G2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m), so you know he gets the best out of the gelding.

Newport resumed this campaign and was outpaced fresh up in the G3 Theo Marks (1400m) and two weeks later found the G1 George Main (1600m) still too short, as well as not being suited by the WFA scale.

Last start the gelding jumped 800m, when third up from a spell, and struck a testing wet track that is not his go, in the G1 Metropolitan (2400m).

He ran a super race in my eyes to finish seventh beaten nine lengths behind the uber-impressive Speed Gifted, which is now the favourite to win the Melbourne Cup.

Newport was rank at his first two resumption runs but there was some sly support last start and his effort suggested a very fit horse just about ready to repeat history for the third time in a row, when fourth up from a spell.

He only goes up 1.5kg on Saturday at Caulfield but is dropping back from a G1 to a G3 race and he has actually raced on the track once before and placed, so it will not be the trap that many northerners fall victim too.

Newcastle trainer Paul Perry is in one of those lean periods waiting for his next top horse but gallopers such as Newport keep things ticking over and he is already the winner of over $1 million dollars.

If any trainer can send one down to Victoria and win despite coming back 400m in distance then Perry can and these days he does not send anything unless they are a chance to pay a dividend.

I really do think at least two of the ballots in the Caulfield Cup this year were stiff not to get a start, as I feel certain BAUGHURST and SHOCKING warranted a run and both would have generated more wagering turnover than several already in the field.

Shocking finished second last start to the now second favourite for the Melbourne Cup in Alcopop but cannot get a start in the Caulfield Cup, which does seem odd.

His record at Caulfield is four starts for two wins and that last start second plus an eyecatching fresh up sixth this campaign over the too short trip of 1400m.

Baughurst this campaign has raced five times, with three of them coming at WFA and at G1 at his last two outings plus to put things into perspective, he has run into Whobegotyou three times, Efficient once and a form race this spring so far in the G3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m).

He was stiff not to get a Caulfield Cup start, as two starts ago at WFA he beat home five runners that have got a start in the race.

His course and distance form is sound too and clearly if he had placed just third in one of those G1 WFA events then they surely must have included the old but invigorated of late war horse.

Baughurst and Shocking will not be hampered at all if Caulfield becomes rain-affected on Saturday, which is predicted by meteorologists.

Newport by the way was the third ballot for the Caulfield Cup, so if one goes in then they all should but he does not want anything worse than a dead track, where as the other pair will cop whatever footing eventuates.

DRUMBEATS is the other quality galloper in the field and he has that low head carriage racing style of a middle distance type plus this is a drop down from his last start brave fifth in the G1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) on unsuitable footing.

This showy entire on Caulfield Cup Day one year ago finished second in a Listed 1400m event for three-year-olds, when beaten half a length by Heart Of Dreams and it will run close to second favourite in the Cox Plate next on Saturday week at Moonee Valley.

Drumbeats at his only other start in Melbourne after that won a Listed 1400m at Flemington on Emirates Day, so keep him mind from now on that he is back at the carnival.

He does not want anything worse than a dead track but also consider his miler speed may be the difference say between Shocking and Newport, which both ran over 2400m last start and will be coming back 400m here.