KEY POINTS:
Maldivian returns to Caulfield today for the first time since he badly gashed his head in the barrier stalls and was a late scratching from the Caulfield Cup last spring.
The 5-year-old is clearly regarded as the horse to beat in the group one CF Orr Stakes (1400m) despite trainer Mark Kavanagh warning that the Zabeel gelding hadn't won at less than 1600m and hadn't won second-up.
Maldivian, who was set to become one of the shortest-priced Caulfield Cup favourites in history until his dramatic late withdrawal, came back to racing with an eye-catching second to Let Go Thommo in the Carlyon Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley last month.
Darwin-based corporate bookmaker Betstar eased Maldivian out slightly from his opening quote of $2.10 yesterday to $2.30. "There hasn't been any real interest in him yet, but who's going to beat him with his main dangers being drawn out in the car park," Betstar spokesman Michael Horne said, referring to $11 equal second picks Casino Prince and Masked Assassin drawing gates 19 and 15 respectively.
Horne said there had been some specking for Rubiscent, one of Mick Price's three acceptors, who firmed from $13 to $12.
"Niconero is the other one the punters have come for. We put up $26 yesterday and there has been a trickle of money for him. He's now at $15.
"His form around Caulfield is pretty good at the 1400m to 1600m distance range."
Craig Williams will ride Niconero, who drew well in barrier three in the field of 16 plus three emergencies.
The Danzero 6-year-old is the only runner who contested last year's Orr, finishing last to El Segundo.
But he has since finished runnerup to Bon Hoffa in the Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) and second to Divine Madonna in the Toorak Hcp (1600m), both group one races at Caulfield.
"He could get a suck run just off the speed and will probably feature in the finish," Horne said.
He said Maldivian, the Caulfield Stakes winner, could get out to $2.50 today, with bookies trying to entice punters to bet.
His last start at 1400m was a third to Apache Cat in the Liston Stakes at Caulfield when firstup last spring.
Steven Arnold will be trying to keep his unbeaten record intact on Maldivian having ridden him to wins in a Ballarat maiden and at Moonee Valley.
Although trainer Anthony Cummings concedes Maldivian is the horse to beat he has a word of warning for punters rushing in to back him.
"Maldivian is probably the horse to beat but he will need to have improved on his first-up run.
"I actually thought Casino Prince's run in that race was a little better," he said.
Maldivian in finishing runner-up to Let Go Thommo was three-quarters of a length in front of Cummings' Casino Prince who was third. Cummings' confidence was dealt a blow at the barrier draw when Casino Prince came up with gate 19 and stablemate Teranaba ($21) fared little better with 16. Maldivian will jump from eight but Cummings rates both his charges strong chances with luck in running.
"What a rare treat," Cummings said of the barriers for his pair.
"But they've both got good form. Casino Prince's first-up run was excellent and he's gone on since then.
"Teranaba's trial was very good and he's very well. A kind run will be the key if either of them can get one."
The Randwick trainer is also looking forward to seeing how juvenile Sidereus, third to Sebring at his only start at Rosehill last month, measures up against Melbourne's two-year-olds in the Blue Diamond Prelude.
"It will be interesting because it will be one of the first times the two-year-old form from both states comes together." In a busy afternoon at Caulfield, Cummings will also start Maslins Beach in the Hyderabad Race Club Stakes (1200m), Turffontein in the Wellington Racing Club Stakes (1400m) and stayer Red Lord in the final event.
Meanwhile, star 3-year-old Weekend Hussler will gallop with handy older sprinter Message Bank between races two and three today.
Weekend Hussler will be ridden by Brad Rawiller and Message Bank by his sister Casey Rawiller.
The Ross Macdonald-trained gelding will be after his third group one success when he resumes in the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield on February 23.
- AAP
