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
Extragalactic's Flemington mission in McEwen Stakes
While many in the racing world will lament the closure of the old Moonee Valley track, trainer Trent Edmonds isn't lamenting the timing of its renovation.This Saturday marks the first Cox Plate meeting to be held away from 'The Valley', and Edmonds is set to be at Flemington with Extragalactic,...
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...