Gold Trip headlines Caulfield Cup final field

Gold Trip, ridden by Mark Zahra, wins the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)

Defending Melbourne Cup champion Gold Trip, from the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace barn, headlines a capacity 18 horse field for the 2023 Caulfield Cup (2400m).

The $5million group 1 event for stayers is the highlight on Saturday’s 10-race meeting at Caulfield.

Having finished second in the Caulfield Cup last year, Gold Trip will be looking to go one better in the event 12 months later.

Gold Trip managed to claim the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at his last start and despite a potential Cox Plate (2040m) tilt next weekend, connections have opted to accept in the Caulfield Cup once again.

The three-time winner from 22 starts competed in all three spring majors last year and looks set to do so once again this campaign.

Gold Trip will carry 58.5kg on Saturday, with Ben Melham booked to ride as Melham looks to complete the feature double during the Caulfield Cup Carnival having claimed the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) aboard Griff.

Regular jockey for Gold Trip, Mark Zahra, will partner the Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Without A Fight on the weekend.

Zahra had been committed to ride Without A Fight for some time prior to the news that Gold Trip would line up in the Caulfield Cup.

Without A Fight has not been seen since finishing sixth in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) when producing a strong finishing burst late.

Chris Waller will saddle up three runners in the Caulfield Cup, as he looks to add further success in the race after Verry Elleegant (2020) and Durston (2022) reigned supreme in the event over recent years.

Soulcombe looks to be the best of Waller’s hopes with Craig Williams booked to ride, while Francesco Guardi will have the company of James McDonald for Saturday’s feature.

Three international gallopers have accepted with Breakup representing Japan, for trainer Tatsuya Yoshioka and jockey Damian Lane.

Joseph O’Brien will saddle up Okita Soushi (Kerrin McEvoy) and Valiant King in the Caulfield Cup.

The 2023 Caulfield Cup barrier draw is set to be held on Wednesday, October 18 at Caulfield Racecourse, following the completion of the Coongy Cup Day races.

2023 Caulfield Cup final field

No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight
1 Silks
Gold Trip
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Ben Melham
TBC
58.5kg
2 Silks
Without A Fight
Anthony & Sam Freedman
Mark Zahra
TBC
55.5kg
3 Silks
Breakup
Tatsuya Yoshioka
Damian Lane
TBC
55kg
4 Silks
Montefilia
Chris Waller
Nash Rawiller
TBC
54.5kg
5 Silks
Francesco Guardi
Chris Waller
James McDonald
TBC
54kg
6 Silks
West Wind Blows
Simon & Ed Crisford
Jamie Spencer
TBC
54kg
7 Silks
Nonconformist
Grahame Begg
Harry Coffey
TBC
53.5kg
8 Silks
Soulcombe
Chris Waller
Craig Williams
TBC
53.5kg
9 Silks
Duke De Sessa
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
John Allen
TBC
53kg
10 Silks
Hoo Ya Mal
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Tim Clark
TBC
53kg
11 Silks
Right You Are
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Michael Dee
TBC
53kg
12 Silks
Emissary
Mike Moroney
Jye McNeil
TBC
52kg
13 Silks
Goldman
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Linda Meech
TBC
52kg
14 Silks
Okita Soushi
Joseph O’Brien
Kerrin McEvoy
TBC
51.5kg
15 Silks
Fame
Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman
Craig Newitt
TBC
51kg
16 Silks
Bois D’argent
Annabel Neasham
Winona Costin
TBC
50.5kg
17 Silks
Spirit Ridge
Annabel Neasham
Dean Yendall
TBC
50.5kg
18 Silks
Valiant King
Joseph O’Brien
Jamie Kah
TBC
50kg
19 Silks
United Nations (1E)
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Carleen Hefel
TBC
50kg

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