Tough draw for Nonconformist in Caulfield Cup

Trainer Grahame Begg admitted to being in the foetal position as he watched the Caulfield Cup Barrier Draw and saw Nonconformist come up with gate 19.

Nonconformist will jump from the widest gate in Saturday’s Group 1 2400m Handicap regardless of what scratchings there are.

Begg said he and jockey Harry Coffey will just have to take their medicine, go back early in the race, and hope for some luck.

Nonconformist is lining up for his third attempt at Caulfield Cup glory.

In 2021 he finished second to Incentivise when starting from gate 14 and last year he finished tenth, again starting from barrier 14.

Whereas two years ago Nonconformist was able to find an economical run, in last year’s Caulfield Cup he was forced to cover ground.

Nonconformist has pleased Begg with his efforts leading up to Saturday’s race and while beaten six lengths behind Alligator Blood in last week’s Group 1 Might And Power, he was happy with the way the gelding finished off the race.

“He’s had a cruisy time since Saturday, and all the indications are that he’s in good shape as it was a bit of a gut-buster on Saturday,” Begg said.

“The first thing Harry Coffey said when he came back in was that he is very fit as he wouldn’t have blown a candle out.

“But you don’t know if that pushes them over the edge or not, but he got home Saturday night and ate up and he’s been lovely and bright since.

“He certainly hasn’t curled up in the corner.”

Begg said Nonconformist would not know himself with 53.5kg on Saturday, having carried 59kg in all three starts this campaign under the weight-for-age conditions.

“We’re under no illusions, it’s a hard race,” Begg said.

“It is probably as good a Caulfield Cup as there has been in the last 10 years and it will be a strongly run race, but his 200 metres last week was the best part of his race.”