Irish raider Orderofthegarter has punched his ticket to the 2020 Caulfield Cup thanks to a brilliant ride from jockey Damien Oliver in Saturday’s Group 3 MRC Foundation Cup (2000m) at Caulfield.
The seven-year-old son of Galileo was installed as the $3.00 favourite coming off three consecutive runner-up placings during his time in Australia, the last of which was behind fellow countrymen Al Galayel first-up over the 2000m a fortnight ago.
Oliver stalked the pace brilliantly on Saturday and found himself with plenty of horse underneath him to sprint clear over the final 200m.
With the winner guaranteed automatic entry into the $5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m), Orderofthegarter will now test his hand among some of world’s most talented stayers on October 17.
Trainer Danny O’Brien has won the Caulfield Cup previously with Master O’Reilly back in 2008 and seemed very confident in Orderofthegarter’s chances based on Saturday’s win.
“He came to us very well. He obviously had a decent break, but he came to us sound and fit, we just built him up from scratch. He’s a lovely horse, he’s a really lovely looking sun of Galileo and he’s very genuine. He tries really hard every time you send him out there,” O’Brien told racing.com.
Orderofthegarter has received a trim in Ladbrokes’ All-In Caulfield Cup market firming from $21 into $14.
Master Of Wine remains the favourite ahead of Verry Elleegant, who found no luck at Randwick in the George Main Stakes.
Damien Oliver has now won a Caulfield Cup before and is likely to lose the ride with Orderofthegarter set to drop from a 56kg to a 50kg weight limit.
In Good Health put in a brave staying performance leading from the front to finish fourth on Saturday, while Steel Prince made up a stack of ground late in third.
Ladbrokes’ complete Caulfield Cup market can be viewed here.
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