SPRING CARNIVAL: Caulfield calling

Most punters fancy Viewed in Saturday's Caufield Cup, but Danny O'Brien's Vigor is also a strong chance.

By Tim Hughes · 15 Oct 2009

By Tim Hughes ·
15 Oct 2009

Welcome to my first Spring Racing column. Over the next few weeks we will cover the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, Derby Day, Melbourne Cup and Emirates Stakes race meetings. Sportingbet Australia have kindly agreed to give me a $1,000 free bet on each of these races with any winnings going to Opportunity International Australia.

We will try to get you some inside mail and steer you into a winner. For each day I will also interview a celebrity tipster. Let's start with the man who should know, Elmer Funke-Kupper, CEO of Tabcorp Ltd.

The Caulfield Cup is the third biggest day of the year in terms of TAB turnover after the Melbourne Cup and Derby Day. "Last year we took seven million bets on Caulfield Cup day turning over $88 million. This year our coverage will go global to eighteen countries" Funke Kupper said.

"In terms of wagering growth, I will be giving a trading update at our AGM next week. Using the internet to transact is increasing greatly like in many businesses that are transaction based. Last year internet betting grew 23 per cent and now represents 15 per cent of turnover, up from 6 per cent in 2004."

When pushed for his celebrity tip he was a little less forthcoming. "I am a shocking tipster but in the interest of a few multiples my selections in order are Predatory Pricer, Cima De Triomphe, Master O'Reilly and Zavite or Red Lord.”

It could be only coincidental that the boss of the TAB is tipping a horse called "Predatory Pricer". The NSW and Victorian governments have recently given Tabcorp approvals to extend their fixed price odds offering.

Finally, Funke Kupper added that when it comes to betting his wife Joanne was the one to listen to. "Joanne is pretty good with the long shots and suggest we have something each way on Zavite and Red Lord."

The $2.5 million Caulfield Cup meeting opens up the Spring Carnival. Past famous winners of the Caulfield Cup include Rising Fast, Galilee, Big Philou, Leilani, Ming Dynasty, Let's Elope, Might and Power, and Northerly. Last year's cup was won by All The Good owned by Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin stable. This year they have brought out Kirkless who they think is even better. Be careful though, Kirkless has no wet track form.

Earlier this week I spoke to Danny O'Brien, the trainer of two runners, Vigor, and the winner of the Cup in 2007, Master O'Reilly. Vigor is owned by Adam Lennon from CSFB and Tim Rourke from GE Energy.

O'Brien said: "Even though he has drawn a shocking barrier (17) I still think Vigor will run a great race. He will be on pace, which will suit and he drops from 59kg last start down to only 51kg under handicap conditions.

"If Master O'Reilly wins he will join Rising Fast (1954 & 1955) and Ming Dynasty (1977 & 1980) as the only horses to have ever won two Caulfield Cups. Master O'Reilly will be in the second half of the field and will be steaming home. He will need a fast race tempo and some luck but has been set for this race."

O'Brien trained the quinella in 2007 (Master O'Reilly and Douro Valley) and it sounds like he is a great chance to do it again.

Michael Sullivan, CEO of Sportingbet, reports that the best backed runner has been Viewed. "Viewed came up in first cup markets at $61. With the rain around we have seen an avalanche of money and he is now into $13.00 and the 2008 Melbourne Cup winner could well start favourite."

My tip is Vigor. Danny O'Brien has confirmed he will race on pace and despite the terrible barrier draw he is extremely well weighted. I will make him an each way special and put my $1,000 Sportingbet charity bet on him. My selections are 17.Vigor, 1.Viewed and 6.Master O'Reilly.

Race 9 at Caulfield the group 2 Perri Cutten Caulfield Sprint is a very interesting race. It includes three very promising sprinters First Command, Eagle Falls and Phelan Ready. My tip is Eagle Falls; I think he can win this race and go on to be competitive in group 1 races over the next few weeks.

Next week I will preview the Cox Plate meeting at Moonee Valley. Until then good luck and good punting!

Tim Hughes, executive chairman of Australia's largest marketing and communications company Photon Group Ltd, has been a race horse owner for almost 20 years.

2009 BMW Caulfield Cup odds

1. Viewed, $14

2. Kirkless, $9

3. Cest La Guerra, $17

4. Cima De Triomphe, $7.50

5. Fiumicino, $51

6. Master O'Reilly, $15

7. Roman Emperor, $19

8. Sarrera, $51

9. Predatory Pricer $8.50

10. Red Ruler, $8.50

11. Zavite, $51