We look forward to some of our key spring contenders for this year kicking off their campaign this Saturday at Caulfield, including two Melbourne Cup nominated runners.
After a competitive run in last year’s Melbourne Cup Daqiansweet Junior, affectionately known as DJ, is on track to try his luck again in this year’s edition.
The now six-year old had a lengthy spell since last racing in February in the T.S. Carlyon Cup at Sandown and has come back in great order. Trainer Phillip Stokes commented after his latest trial at Pakenham: “He has come along well so far, Jamie Kah trialled him here at Pakenham and he was quite alert and travelled well. Obviously the mile is too short for him, but it’s a good starting point for the campaign and I think he will run well.”
Stokes is a believer that DJ races best with his races spaced and this training style certainly paid off for the son of Sweet Orange when claiming the Adelaide Cup early in 2022 before running in the Melbourne Cup later that year, finishing sixth.
Daqiansweet Junior will kick off his Melbourne Cup campaign in the BM100 over 1600m this Saturday. Also in the field and on a path to the Melbourne Cup is New Zealand import Full Of Sincerity, trained by Andrew Forsman.
The 4-year old gelding travelled to Australia earlier this year having finished third in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby. He then ran in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes at Rosehill finishing fourth (beaten less than a length) and in the Group 1 Australian Derby at Randwick on April 1st, where he was unlucky not to finish closer to the line.
Trainer Andrew Forsman said after his recent gallop at Bendigo: “He galloped with Aegon here at Bendigo on Tuesday morning and travelled super. Aegon is obviously a very good horse, but they finished off well over the line together and Full Of Sincerity will take good benefit from it. We know he will probably need a run or two to get to his peak performance as well as more distance, but he’s in good shape for Saturday.”
Michael Dee will take the ride on Full Of Sincerity from barrier 2, while Daqiansweet Junior will be jumping from barrier 13 with apprentice Gary Lo on board.
See the full field and all race details here.
First emergency in the same race on Saturday is Vardani, who is likely to be aimed at some of the major country cups during the spring. He holds a nomination for the Caulfield Cup should he find his best form during the preparation.
Best of luck to connections of all three horses!