breednet.com.au

Tactics change for Caulfield Cup favourite

AAP - Thursday October 19
Connections of Irish horse Johannes Vermeer have made their intentions known with the favourite for the $3 million Caulfield Cup.
Connections announce change of tactics for Caulfield Cup favourite. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Prominent Australian owner Lloyd Williams is a shareholder in the Aidan O'Brien-trained Johannes Vermeer who stormed into Caulfield Cup favouritism after his fast-finishing second in last Saturday's Caulfield Stakes (2000m).

On that occasion the international visitor settled slightly worse than midfield and powered home in the straight.

Racing Victoria stewards have reported a change of tactics for Johannes Vermeer in Saturday's $3 million 2400m handicap with the intention for Johannes Vermeer to be ridden positively and ideally settle third to fifth in the field of 17.

If Johannes Vermeer wins the Caulfield Cup, O'Brien will equal the late Bobby Frankel's world record 25 Grade/Group One victories in a year ahead of Champions Day at Ascot where the trainer willl have a strong team.

Another Williams-owned horse, the Robert Hickmott-trained Sir Isaac Newton will also have a change of tactics with the intention to lead.

Connections believe he is better rolling along than being restrained.

Ben Melham has the ride on Johannes Vermeer on Saturday.

Melham believes the five-year-old has a lot of things in his favour going into the race in which he will jump from barrier two.

"He showed good speed from the barriers the other day. He relaxed nicely after that and he's got a good change up of speed as well," Melham said.

"So he's an ideal sort of horse for a Caulfield Cup."
Advertisment
More Reading...
What Stallions Can Step Up in Hong Kong?
The Hong Kong racing season is over for another year, so a look at their sire tables by earnings and winners is always interesting and there is no surprise at the top with now pensioned Deep Field claiming his fourth consecutive champion sire title, but given he is now out of the picture the big question is what sires will replace him?
Another Aussie Stakes-Winner for Lope de Vega
It’s just as well Australian owners are keen on bringing in imported tried horses to Australia or the $200,000 Listed Grafton Cup (2350m) on Thursday would have looked a very skinny event, but as it happened there was a promising young stayer on top in Don Diego de Vega (Fr).
Sires With Winners - Friday July 18
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Karaka Graduates Shoot for Selangor’s Seven-Figure Prize
A quality cast of four-year-olds will clash in Malaysia’s richest race this weekend, with a significant NZB influence throughout the 16-horse field.
Smart Winner for Hanseatic
Rosemont Stud’s Hanseatic added a fourth winner to his tally on Thursday at Kembla when the John Thompson trained gelding Sea Admiral opened his account.
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 17
Here is the full list of 40 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Unbeaten Filly a New Stakes-Winner for Ghaiyyath
Darley shuttler Ghaiyyath (IRE) is not returning to Australia this year after four seasons at Darley Victoria, but he was in the news overnight with a new stakes-winner after his unbeaten three year-old filly Al Uqda won the Listed Vichy Prix Madame Jean Couturie (2000m).
$1million Mehmas a Stakes-Winner for Godolphin
One of the big ticket purchases for Godolphin at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale last year was the half-brother to triple Group I winner Perfect Power by Mehmas and this 1million guinea purchase opened his stakes account overnight in the UK.
Big Investment Begins Paying Off
A big investment by Rosemont Stud at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in purchasing Group III winning mare Khulaasa for $1.35million produced a dividend on Friday, but that’s just the beginning!
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.