West Wind Blows primed for the G1 Caulfield Cup
The updates from the Werribee quarantine facility had always been positive, but that didn’t mean Ed Crisford wasn’t without some trepidation when he saw West Wind Blows for the first time in several weeks on Thursday.
Crisford and his co-trainer, his father Simon, had been kept well up to date by the travelling party and they had seen West Wind Blows perform well in the Turnbull Stakes, but observing him in the flesh provided a new perspective.
Crisford could not have been happier with what he saw.
“Physically, I think he’s even better than I expected,” Crisford said.
“He looks fantastic and he’s come on for the run in the Turnbull.
“He looks tight and fit and well and really good in his coat.
“He’s a very happy horse down here, he’s really enjoying it and is thriving.”
West Wind Blows’ condition has Crisford eagerly anticipating Saturday’s $5 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), for which the five-year-old is one of the leading fancies.
The Teofilo gelding worked in the middle stages of that 2000m event to find a prominent position and although under riding early in the straight, he boxed on stoutly to beat home all bar Gold Trip.
A winner of five of 13 starts, West Wind Blows is yet to win over 2400m, but did run multiple Group 1 winner Pyledriver to 1-1/4 lengths when second in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes (2414m) at Royal Ascot this year and Crisford is excited about seeing him back out to the Caulfield Cup trip.
“The Turnbull didn’t really suit him, he didn’t get a great position after jumping a little bit slowly,” Crisford said.
“But he stuck to his guns really well, he likes a battle this horse and 2400 metres at Caulfield should suit him down the ground.”
Jamie Spencer, who rode West Wind Blows in the Turnbull Stakes, retains the ride in the Caulfield Cup and there will be plenty riding on how he the Irish jockey gets him out of the barrier.
“It’s one of those draws; it’s a very good draw if you jump well and get to hold your position, but it’s a terrible draw if you jump badly and lose your position,” Crisford said.
“We’ll know in the first 100 to 200m how we’re going.”
More Racing News
All-Star Mile next for Sabaj following blood test setback
Sabaj, under the care of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, faces a puzzling field in the All-Star Mile with Pride Of Jenni taking part.Saturday's All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington is now the primary target for Sabaj, who skipped last week's Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington due to unsatisfactory blood...
Baraqiel to trial blinkers for Newmarket Handicap push
Baraqiel faces an uphill battle with the weights in pursuit of success in one of the nation's premier short-distance contests, the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.Post-1973 metric weight implementation, merely three runners have prevailed in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) carrying more than 57.5kg, with the race set for Saturday.In...
Green Spaces earns Rachel King's trust for Randwick Guineas tilt
Returning from a triumphant riding spell in Japan, Rachel King has her eyes set on the Sydney autumn series, with a key engagement aboard the inexperienced three-year-old gelding Green Spaces in the Randwick Guineas.The esteem in which King views the Bjorn Baker stable's charge prompted her to jet in from...
Fortunes due to improve for backmarker Bauhinia
Bauhinia, known for settling towards the rear naturally, has often lacked the rub of the green in her races.Co-trainer Lee Curtis expects the mare to see her luck change for the better over autumn, kicking off in Saturday's Wenona Girl Quality (1200m) at Randwick."Her work has been as good as...
Gibbons lands timely Linebacker mount after Rosehill breakthrough
An ordinary benchmark contest at Rosehill back in July evolved into a career highlight for Dylan Gibbons, setting him up to steer star performer Linebacker in the Group One Canterbury Stakes.The promising jockey, mere months removed from shoulder surgery, had steered Good Banter to victory in that midwinter feature.Post-race, he...
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...