Racing: Kiwi hopes draw well in Caulfield Cup

New Zealand's top Caulfield Cup hope Daffodil firmed again with a handy barrier draw yesterday as Manawatu trainer Kevin Gray pronounced his mare spot-on for Saturday's A$2.5 million feature.

The AJC Oaks winner shortened from $11 to $9 with Australia's TAB Sportsbet after drawing barrier four in the field of 18, plus four emergencies.

She will likely start from barrier three in the 2400m race, with third emergency Newport drawing the inside marble.

Of the other New Zealand contenders, Harris Tweed ($31) drew two, Red Ruler ($14) drew 14 and transtasman trainer Mike Moroney's stayer Sarrera ($41) barrier 10.

The biggest talking point was around Vigor and Predatory Pricer, who drew 22 and 16 respectively.

"That might be a bit of a help for us," Gray observed.

English raiders Kirklees (barrier seven, $8) and Cima De Triomphe (barrier 11, $8.50) headed the revised market with Predatory Pricer drifting to $8.50 and Vigor to $10.

Gray was happy enough with Daffodil's draw. "I just hoped for somewhere in midfield. I wouldn't like to be out wide."

He said jockey Chris Munce wouldn't be burdened by instructions when he is legged up for the first time on Saturday, but he wouldn't want to settle further back than midfield.

"You've got to make use of your draw, but I'll leave it to Chris, he knows a bit about the track.

"She's not difficult to ride, all you have to do is sit on and steer. I'd describe her as a real nice lady."

Daffodil arrived in Melbourne on Sunday night and settled in well to her new surrounds at Danny O'Brien's Flemington stables, Gray said.

Yesterday was the Garry Chittick-owned mare's only serious hit-out of the week.

"She worked around from the 1000m and pulled up excellent. If you're not fully fit coming over here for these big races then you never will be."

Gray wasn't unduly concerned with his mare's last-start fourth to Vosne Romanee when a dominant favourite in the Kelt Capital Stakes at Hastings on October 3.

He said she was ridden "upside down", handier to the pace than normal, and was tightened for room early in the straight before finishing fourth, just over a length from the winner.

Gray said the formula with Daffodil was simple: if she performed well on Saturday they would go straight to the Melbourne Cup, in which she is a $21 chance, but if she went "a shocker" they would return home immediately.

"If Garry is happy and the jockey gives us the okay then we'll press on."

Meanwhile, yesterday big-race specialist Glen Boss captured yet another group one feature when the David Hayes-trained favourite Irish Lights held on to win the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.

Boss had the Fastnet Rock filly second behind Fomalite until rounding the turn in the fillies' 1600m event.

She dashed to the lead at the top of the straight and quickly established what turned out to be a winning break.

Melito and the Bart Cummings-trained Faint Perfume both made good ground late but Irish Lights, who has now won three of her five starts, had enough in hand to stave off their challenges.

"She raced without cover and is better with cover," Hayes said.

"Glen was confident, he put her there. She had enough to hold them off.

"She raced against her pattern of racing and she still won. That's pretty exciting."

CAULFIELD CUP
1 Viewed (15) B. Rawiller57kg
2 Kirklees (7) K. McEvoy 56kg
3 C'est La Guerre (13) S. Arnold 55.5kg
4 Cima De Triomphe (11) Oliver 55.5kg
5 Fiumiicino (20) D. Dunn 55.5kg
6 Master O'Reilly (18) V. Duric 55kg
7 Roman Emperor (5) Bowman 54kg
8 Sarrera (10) N. Hall 54kg
9 Predatory Pricer (16) S. King 53.5kg
10 Red Ruler (14) D. Nikolic 53.5kg
11 Zavite (8) M. Zahra 53kg
12 Harris Tweed (2) C. Newitt 52.5kg
13 Kight Vision (19) L. Nolen 51.5kg
14 Daffodil (4) C. Munce 51.5kg
15 Ready To Lift (12) G. Boss 51.5kg
16 Red Lord (3) G. Schofield 51.5kg
17 Vigor (22) C. Brown 51kg
18 Allez Wonder (6) M. Payne 51kg

EMERGENCIES:
19 Baughurst (21) 52.5kg
20 Shocking (17) 51kg
21 Newport (1) 52.5kg
22 Miss Darcey (9) 50kg

- NZPA, AAP