Red Lord Books Caulfield Cup Berth
Red Lord booked his place into the field for the Caulfield Cup with an impressive win in the Group Three Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Continuing a profitable day for leading Sydney horseman Anthony Cummings, Red Lord snuck up on the inside of runners to score the classy victory.
Cummings was represented at Caulfield by foreman Graham Woolston, who was thrilled with the result.
“I know Anthony would be rapt with that,” Woolston said. “This bloke is going really well and he’s won his way into the Caulfield Cup now.”
“He’s always had plenty of ability and I think the mile and a half will be his best trip,” he added.
Woolston said the gelding would most likely have one more run before heading into the Caulfield Cup.
Winning rider Damien Oliver knows what it takes to win a big race and he predicted a big Caulfield Cup run from Red Lord in the rich feature.
“He quickened really well,” Oliver said. “It was a good strong race and he’s a sneaky light weight chance in the Caulfield Cup.”
In a driving finish Red Lord held a long neck margin over the heavily backed home bred Light Vision.
Majestical was a similar margin back in third place.
Prior to his win in the Naturalism Stakes, Red Lord had already earned his connections over $499,000 – he’s sent that spiralling past the half million dollar barrier now.
“He’s always been a very talented horse and it looks like he’s going to have a lucrative campaign,” Woolston noted.
Red Lord, by Arrowfield Stud’s resident champion Redoute’s Choice, was purchased by trainer Anthony Cummings for $260,000 at the 2005 Magic Millions Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast.
He is one of two winners form the former smart racemare Dame Cath – a six time winner from 1200 to 2000 metres.
A daughter of Cambridge Stud’s Zabeel, Dame Cath scored her best win in the listed Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes at Riccarton. Ironically the 2009 edition of that race was run in New Zealand on Saturday.
As well as being a stakes winner, Dame Cath is a half sister to Dalgety Bay – the unraced dam of multiple New Zealand stakes winner Heureka.
