Caulfield Stakes: A Stroll In The Park

The Caulfield Stakes is traditionally a Cox Plate trial.

The Caulfield Stakes run over 2000m at Caulfield under weight for age conditions is the final lead up race before Cox Plate, set to be run at Moonee Valley later this month...

Historically the race has had a bearing on the Caulfield Cup and there are a couple of runners engaged with that race in mind. Fourteen Caulfield Stakes winners have completed the Caulfield Cup double but unless there is a major upset that stat is unlikely to change this year. In fact, you have to go back to 1990 for the last winner to complete the Caulfield Cup double and that was the classy Sydeston ridden by Mick Dittman.

Following the scratching of the Peter Moody-trained Manighar, the main focus will be on emerging Kiwi star Ocean Park (trading on Betfair $1.54n/a) from a Cox Plate viewpoint. The Caulfield Stakes has produced 14 winners that have gone on to complete the double by winning Australia's weight for age championship, the last being So You Think in 2010.

A field of seven will contest the Caulfield Stakes this year but Timeform ratings suggest it will be another Group 1 for Ocean Park.
Pace in the race is of concern, although Midas Touch (Betfair $22.00) is likely to take it up with Sincero (Betfair $4.6) in close attendance and Ocean Park having the last run at the pair.

Ocean Park has shown impressive improvement this campaign. In two undefeated runs he has taken his Timeform rating to a new level of 124p with comprehensive wins in the G1 Makfi Stakes (1400m) in New Zealand then the G1 Underwood Stakes (1800m), displaying a dazzling turn of foot on each occasion.

I am confident of Ocean Park continuing that rise in ratings this afternoon. He has to make further improvement not only to win here but to show he is a genuine winning chance in the Cox Plate in a fortnight's time.

Sydney galloper and multiple Group 1 winner Sincero is worth consideration, although the jury is still out on his ability to run a strong 2000m - a reputation that goes on the line here.

Sincero is yet to place at a distance past 1600m in three attempts, plus his struggling third place behind Ocean Park in the Underwood rated well below his best efforts at distances up to 1600m.

This race will be a defining one for Sincero and put the matter to rest for this campaign at least. Given the Underwood was his second run back from a spell and followed an outstanding fresh up win in the G2 Memsie Stakes (1400m), I am prepared to give him one last chance to prove his case.

Visit timeform.com to get your FREE Timeform Card & Ratings for all races at Caulfield on Saturday.