The Caulfield race track hosts some of the most prestigious and popular horse races in Australia, with the Caulfield Cup being one of them. Out of the Caulfield Cup, we’ve seen champions rise and fall and legends in the making. As a sports fan and punter, it’s helpful to look back at these impressive wins to learn what made these horses and riders stand out among the rest. With that in mind, here are 8 top race wins at the Caulfield Cup.
Might And Power
In 1997, we saw what most punters would unanimously agree was one of the best wins at the Caulfield Cup. Might and Power was a clear favourite during this particular race, not just for their speed and power on the track but because the backstory behind the win was pretty remarkable, too.
Might And Power’s trainer, Jack Denham, had specifically ordered the rider, Jim Cassidy, not to take the lead. However, after just being sacked from the Horse earlier in the Autumn, it was clear that Cassidy was out to make a grand comeback, and defying the trainer’s order, he took Might And Power to the front. When it came to the straight, the horse bounded effortlessly away from the rest with his extravagant stride. If ever there was a race that would make people fall in love with racing, it was this one.
Incentivise
When looking at some of the top wins, you really don’t have to look too far back in history because 2021 saw a jaw-dropping victory from Incentivise at the Caulfield Cup. What made this such a breathtaking win was that Incentivise, a horse that couldn’t even win a Toowoomba Maiden, somehow managed to become a multiple Group I winner and even gave the world one of the most dominant wins in Caulfield Cup history.
Verry Elleegant
Of course, 2020 was a year that made history in many ways, but at least one good thing to come out of it was Verry Elleegant’s win at the Caulfield Cup. This horse has definitely been topping the lists of one of the champion horses, rivalling the likes of Phar Lap, Black Caviar and Wix, and her win at the Caulfield Cup was the very reason for this, followed by her win at the Melbourne Cup.
What a MARE!
Verry Elleegant is the Caulfield Cup hero for 2020! pic.twitter.com/Rl8Z6lzJtC
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 17, 2020
Jameka
Going a little further back in history to 2016, one horse that accomplished one of the arrogant wins was Jameka. When you look back, punters probably realised that there would always be an obvious winner. The Ciaron Maher-trained mare might have been the second favourite, but she sure showed the competition how to perform in the famed 2400m and beat the Charlie Appleby-trained English raider Scottish by an astounding three lengths.
Jameka is offically retired & heads to the breeding barn. She’s been the most tremendous horse and will be missed dearly. I’d like to thank everyone who has played a part in her illustrious career, including her owners & my team of staff, in particular her great mate Lucy Yeomans pic.twitter.com/QMxsMmTdw4
— Ciaron Maher Racing (@cmaherracing) August 21, 2018
Mer De Glace
The Japanese are renowned for their dedication to innovation, and in 2019, they showed the world that they are to be taken seriously in horse racing, too. The four-year-old, Japan-trained Mer de Glace won the Caulfield Cup in the Group I division under jockey Damian Lane despite it being his first time travelling internationally and being anxious. Mer de Glace started off ‘decently’, according to Lane. Still, seeing as the competition was so fast, he decided it would be best to pull back rather than try too hard, and while Mer de Glace was a bit anxious, they hit the front much sooner than he had expected, and this lead to the perfect ride in the home stretch.
Mannerism
1992 is not just known for being the year that Mannerism put Damien Oliver into the racing spotlight, but it was also the year of the great loss for the Kiwi champion Veandercross. People still talk about this race to this day, with many arguing that Mannerism’s win and Veandercross’ loss were due to his rider, Shane Dye, going too wide.
Where Can you Keep up to Date with Caulfield Races?
Horse racing is fun and exciting, but the betting game can get complicated if you don’t open your eyes. To ensure you place successful bets at the races, make sure that you check out sites like Ladbrokes for the latest on the Caulfield races. Remember, research is key to placing wise bets; as one of Australia’s best bookmakers, Ladbrokes offers insight into the upcoming races so you can strategically plan your bets!
Final Thoughts
Every new year brings the opportunity for a new champion to take the Caulfield Cup. Who knows, we may even see records breaking! In the end, by learning how the winners of the past performed, you can better spot the potential in this year’s riders. Good luck!