Australian Derby winner Jon Snow is still at double figure odds for Saturday’s Group 1 $3.15m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield.
Jon Snow, above, will appreciate the step up to the 2400m of the Caulfield Cup Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Jon Snow has found form at the right time after a slow start to the Melbourne Sprint Carnival but is still rated a $12 chance for the Caulfield Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Jon Snow found the winner’s stall two starts back in the Group 3 $200,000 MSC Signs JRA Cup (2040m) at The Valley on September 29 and then ran a solid third behind Gailo Chop and Caulfield Cup favourite Johannes Vermeer in the Group 1 $1m Ladbrokes Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield last Saturday.
The Iffraaj four year old has had a trouble free campaign and co-trainer Murray Baker said that he will appreciate the step up in distance to the 2400m of the Caulfield Cup.
“Very happy with Jon. A big strapping four year old and he needs a bit of work to get him there,” Baker told racing.com.
“Very good run I thought (in Ladbrokes Stakes). They had to do a bit of work early and fought on well.”
“Jon Snow is a Derby winner, he has run the trip. He can obviously get two four (2400m).”
“Genuine stayer. Jon Snow has Zabeel in his pedigree. Zabeel has a great record in these longer distance races in Australia.”
Jon Snow became a genuine Caulfield Cup contender following his win in the Group 1 $2m BMW Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick during the 2017 Sydney Autumn Carnival and will get every chance from barrier six with Stephen Baster in the saddle again.
Baker and c0-trainer Andrew Forsman will also saddle up Dual Oaks winner Bonneval in the Caulfield Cup.
Unlike Jon Snow who has had a smooth run up to the Caulfield Cup, Bonneval was only passed fit to take her place in the field when cleared by Racing Victoria vets on Thursday afternoon after showing signs of lameness in front following her sixth in the Ladbrokes Stakes.
Bonneval has been one of the favourites for the Caulfield Cup since winning the Group 1 $1m James Boag’s Premium Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick during the Autumn and is currently the $7.50 second pick behind the Aidan O‘Brien trained Irish stayer Johannes Vermeer who heads the market order at $4.40 with Ladbrokes.com.au.
The Darren Weir trained Humidor, who will carry the top weight of 56kg, is the third pick in the betting at $8.50 while his stablemate Amelie’s Star is also in contention at $9.50.
