Nonconformist to have 2023 Caulfield Cup tune-up in Might And Power
Grahame Begg says Nonconformist is in excellent shape for a tilt at the Might And Power at Caulfield.
Track conditions will play an important role for Nonconformist in his quest to win the Caulfield Cup 2023.
Part of the stayer’s program to that Group 1 race over 2400m on October 21 is the Group 1 Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Nonconformist was beaten in a photo by Probabeel in the Might And Power two years ago before backing up a week later to defeat all but Incentivise in the Caulfield Cup.
The Grahame Begg-trained galloper followed the same path last year but finished seventh in the Might And Power before running tenth in the Caulfield Cup.
Nonconformist heads to Saturday’s Might And Power with two runs under the belt, but importantly has retained residual fitness following a trip to Brisbane which saw him run second to Without A Fight in the Q22, one of two runs in the Sunshine State.
After finding the 1400m too short in the Memsie Stakes, Nonconformist was a closing seventh in the Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 23 which left Begg satisfied the gelding was on target for the Caulfield Cup.
“He’s going really well,” Begg said.
“He ran well in the Underwood and those horses that finished around him, Soulcombe and the like all performed well in the Turnbull Stakes last Saturday.
“I feel he’s really on target.”
Begg said he felt Nonconformist was back in a similar vein of form as he was two years ago.
He said wet tracks thwarted his campaign last year while he also had 10 months away from the track in the lead-up to that spring carnival.
While rain was falling in Melbourne on Thursday, the expectation is the track will be a Good 4 on Saturday, ideal conditions for Nonconformist.
“I think he’s as good as he was two years ago, if not better,” Begg said.
“Last year you must erase that because of the wet tracks, so hopefully we’ll get some decent tracks in the next two weeks.
“But it won’t be easy on Saturday with Alligator Blood being there, but it will be a competitive race and he’s in good form and is building nicely for the Caulfield Cup.”
More Racing News
Augustus and Desert Hero debut in Flemington feature
While the Australian Cup Prelude at Flemington doesn't carry the weight of the day's opening races, it has the potential to highlight future stars for major events ahead.Ciaron Maher will launch two newcomers from overseas in the Saturday 2000m race – Augustus and Desert Hero.Desert Hero already has Australian experience,...
Robbie Griffiths plans VRC Sires' Produce Stakes tilt with Almost An Angel
For the youngsters, the VRC Sires' Produce Stakes provides the debut opportunity to tackle a genuine journey.Now that the Blue Diamond Stakes, Victoria's top juvenile prize, has been run and captured last month, attention shifts for the fast two-year-olds to the Golden Slipper up in Sydney.Robbie Griffiths, however, set his...
Ipswich Friday features prepared Sir Maurice
With an advantageous claim on weight and a competitor set for a win, Jack Bruce is eager for Sir Maurice to perform at Ipswich this coming Friday.Marking his fifth run this campaign, the five-year-old offspring of champion Japanese sire Maurice enters the Great Northern Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200m) for an...
Blinkers and McDonald for Hidrix in key Todman Stakes before Golden Slipper
Hidrix, once the top pick for the Golden Slipper, faces two major tweaks for his engagement in the Todman Stakes at Randwick: blinkers fitted and James McDonald in the saddle.Although McDonald guided stable companion Confederation during the Canonbury Stakes (1100m) Hidrix won and the Silver Slipper (1100m), he'll switch to...
Filly Caffe Florian emerges as next talent for Richard Litt
Though Richard Litt runs a modest team in numbers, he has proven adept at pinpointing quality performers.Responsible for training dual Group 1 champion Castelvecchio and Profondo's 2021 Spring Champion Stakes success, the Warwick Farm conditioner now seems to hold a fresh prospect in developing filly Caffe Florian.The three-year-old by Snitzel...
Waller's entrants set for All-Star Mile at Flemington
Leading handler Chris Waller embraces the All-Star Mile format since its promotion to Group 1.Launched back in 2019, the All-Star Mile moved between key Melbourne venues and mirrored Japan's Arima Kinen by letting the public choose their top pick.Changes were implemented in later years, and Waller entered sparingly.Securing Group 1...
Mark Zahra backs Tentyris to overcome weight in Newmarket
Mark Zahra, the jockey, doesn't see the allocated weight for Tentyris as a barrier to the colt capturing the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.To win the Group 1 1200m event at Flemington on Saturday, Tentyris must replicate the weight record set by Ajax back in 1938.The 57kg impost matches what Fastnet...
Freedman eyes Ninja's mile potential in Randwick Guineas
Michael Freedman counts on Ninja getting forward in the run as an essential element boosting his shot at the Group One Randwick Guineas.Unlike key challengers Autumn Boy and Attica, who prefer to come from off the pace, Ninja showed his flexibility in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) by tracking the pacesetter...
Experienced Coal Crusher set for Newcastle Stakes challenge
If Coal Crusher maintains his strong connection with the Newcastle venue, he could provide Joe Pride with an excellent beginning to his weekend on a prominent regional racing occasion.On a quick six-day freshen-up from his Liverpool City Cup (1300m) defeat at Randwick, the gelding lines up in Friday's Group 3...
Rawiller's decision spotlights Lady Shenandoah's Canterbury Stakes bid
With Ciaron Maher readying Gringotts for his seasonal reappearance in the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick, another jockey has accidentally boosted the credentials of a prominent rival entrant.Nash Rawiller built an impressive alliance with Gringotts late in his previous campaign, notching successive wins in the Big Dance and The Gong.They were...