Racing: Weir lifts the lid on King's dream of Caulfield glory

Darren Weir is confident that the horse holds the right form. Photo / Supplied

He's been bottling it up for almost seven months, but Darren Weir has finally revealed his enthusiasm for his chances of landing the first A$5 million running of the Caulfield Cup today with long-time favourite Kings Will Dream.

Kings Will Dream was installed the $10 favourite to win this spring's Caulfield Cup way back on March 24 after making it five wins from five Australian starts with his five-length romp in the Mornington Cup.

Weir has been at pains ever since to say plenty still had to go right for the imported horse for him to challenge on Caulfield Cup Day but yesterday he happily told RSN927's Racing Pulse that he couldn't have asked for a better preparation. "I don't get ahead of myself in races because I know what can go wrong, but one thing I can assure the owners and all the punters, you wouldn't get a horse in better order," Weir said.

"I think he's had the ideal preparation. All the boxes have been ticked and if he's not good enough tomorrow, we can't do our job any better.

"The horse looks amazing and he's going to turn up there in great shape."

Weir is confident that the horse holds the right form as well as the ideal conditioning for the 2400m Group One. "I think the key is that he's been racing at weight-for-age and he drops back to a handicap," he said.

"I think Chris Waller's horse (Youngstar) is the one to beat for me," Weir said.

Weir also saddles the Kiwi-bred galloper Night's Watch. "He's got the tricky barrier (18) to overcome."

Gallic Chieftain rounds out Weir's chances and while last year's Cup went to a bolter in the form of Boom Time, Weir doubts Gallic Chieftain will deliver another despite a similar lead-in run to Boom Time in the Herbert Power Stakes.

Tips for the big race

The Cliffsofmoher was an eye-catcher in the Caulfield Stakes last Saturday, reeling off some impressive closing sectionals in what looked a very strong race.

He's drawn a barrier that should allow him to settle closer in the run stepping up to 2400m and he looks suited on the back-up having done so with success earlier this year when third in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. Youngstar and Kings Will Dream were both very good behind Winx in the Turnbull Stakes.

They are both drawn ideally, both attractively weighted and both look suited stepping up to 2400m. As the market suggests they look the pick of the locals.

Red Verdon beat The Cliffsofmoher over 2400m in the Hardwicke Stakes and is an intriguing runner. We are loath to write off the Japanese whenever they bring horses with the serious form of Chestnut Coat and Sole Impact, however, the former appears the better suited over 2400m at Caulfield.

Suggested bet: The Cliffsofmoher win/Red Verdon each way.

- Racing.com