Harry Charlton optimistic about Wine Dark Sea's Caulfield Cup chances

Upon his arrival in Australia, UK trainer Harry Charlton immediately made his way to Werribee to assess his Caulfield Cup contender, Wine Dark Sea.

This marks Charlton's first venture training a horse in Australia, although he has drawn on the expertise of his brother Tom, a co-trainer with John O'Shea in Sydney.

With Wine Dark Sea set to contest the Caulfield Cup (2400m) this Saturday, and having not seen the stayer since its departure from the UK more than two weeks ago, Charlton expressed his contentment with the horse's condition observed at Werribee racecourse on Friday, where preparations for the major race have been taking place.

"I just landed this morning, and he looks in great shape," Charlton remarked. "He's still got his summer coat, which is not easy to achieve. I see a few of Joseph's (O'Brien) came down yesterday and had been clipped. Alex (his groom) has done a great job with him. He's been coming back late at night to change his rugs over and keep him warm."

Charlton, experiencing his first trip to Australia, indicated that a victory for Wine Dark Sea on Saturday would hold particular significance.

"I didn't know it was the 150th year before coming down, so that makes it even more special," Charlton conveyed. "I'm pleased to be here, and I'm pleased the horse has made it through all the processes to be here and in the field. He's facing a big field and a wide draw, but that's part and parcel of Australian racing."

Wine Dark Sea is drawn to jump from barrier 16, provided no emergencies are scratched. Charlton mentioned that while not ideal, this gate is preferable to drawing too close to the inside rail.

The gelding will also need to adapt to the Caulfield track's significant turning characteristics, which differ from the courses the stayer is accustomed to in the UK.

Damian Lane, who triumphed in the Caulfield Cup in 2019 aboard Mer De Glace, has been engaged to ride Wine Dark Sea and has already visited Werribee to gain an understanding of the gelding.

"I think I would rather be drawn wider than in the bottom four, but then I would rather be between six and 12 than 12 and 18," Charlton shared. "It's possibly not ideal but the good news is, he is a horse that is here for two races. He races over a mile six (2800m) at home, so the Melbourne Cup is also something that we are looking forward to. If the draw beats us tomorrow, hopefully it leaves us in good stead for the Melbourne Cup, and he gets a better draw that day. Damian does not seem particularly worried by it. He's a horse that does jump well from the gate and reacts nicely when you ask him. Running that 2400 (metres) from that wide draw will bring a little bit more speed into it and the tracks here are much tighter and they turn a lot more, but I am encouraged by how Damian said he handled the track at Werribee. I thought Werribee would be a bit tight for him. It is not the way we train horses, turning every two furlongs, but he said he changed his lead at every bend, so that gives me a bit more confidence."

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