The Archie Alexander trained Lord Fandango became a real live lightweight Caulfield Cup chance with a tough win in the Group 2 $400,000 Ladbrokes Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield today.
Lord Fandango, above, earns a spot in the Caulfield Cup with his win in the Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield.
The winner of the Herbert Power Stakes is exempt from the ballot for the Group 1 $3.15m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield next Saturday and Alexander is excited at the prospect of having a runner in one of the Melbourne Spring Carnival’s major events.
“Great to get a result today and all the boys are pretty happy,” Alexander said.
“He is a horse that stays really well, Over 2000m is not even getting warm and today at the 2400m the Lloyd Williams horses really set it up for him with a strong pace up front and it was perfect.”
“You have to think if you gave him an easy week he has to go into the Caulfield Cup a great chance with a lightweight.”
“He is in great form and looking at him today he looked an absolute picture.”
Lightweight apprentice Ben Allen took over the reins today from regular rider Jordan Childs who was aboard Lord Fandango’s last start win in the $100,000 Benalla Cup (2046m) at Benalla on September 29.
Allen had Lord Fandango ($12) travelling just behind the pace in the early and middle stages and when the leader Aloft capitulated at the 600m, found himself in the firing line on the home turn.
The five year old was strong down the Caulfield straight and was able to hold off the challenge of Wall Of Fire ($9) who made a long run from the tail of the field to find the runner’s up stall.
Third placegetter Gallic Chieftain ($4.60) also came from near the tail of the field while the $4.20 favourite Aloft stopped quickly and tailed off with his stablemate Foundry ($7.50).
