Who is leading the British and Irish challenge on Australia’s TAB Everest undercard as Willie Mullins targets Caulfield Cup?

Away from the world’s most expensive horse race on turf — The TAB Everest — a few British and Irish contenders will look to make their mark at Randwick and Caulfield this weekend.

Simon and Ed Crisford and Willie Mullins will be vying for a share of the £2,475,248 prize fund in the Caulfield Cup, a Group 1 handicap often billed as the fastest mile and a half handicap in the world.

The Crisfords saddle Meydaan, who has won twice from 13 starts. The four-year-old heads to Australia after achieving a career-best Racing Post Rating of 114 when finishing third in the September Stakes.

Ed Crisford said: “He's going for the Caulfield Cup and has come out of his quarantine in great shape. I fly over there tonight but evidently Cup fever is taking hold. 

“His preparation has been excellent by all accounts and we just need to see where he is drawn as that can be a factor.

Crisford added: “Beyond that he could well head for the Melbourne Cup, where he will be up in trip, but we think he's more mature now than when he ran over a mile and six [furlongs] in the Queen's Vase last year, and should find the distance well within his compass.

Meydaan will be ridden by Andrea Atzeni, who is now based in Hong Kong but enjoyed plenty of success for the Crisfords during his time in Britain. Their association includes Group 1 glory with Vandeek in the Prix Morny, along with two Listed wins, two Group 2s and a Group 3.

Mullins will be represented by Absurde, who is no stranger to the long journey to Australia. The seven-year-old has contested the Melbourne Cup in each of the last two years but will run in the Caulfield Cup this time before returning to Flemington.

Mullins' assistant David Casey told Thoroughbred News: "We've come out early to get a run into him this time. We thought the Caulfield Cup would suit him.

"He's used to the travelling, and he perked up when he got here. He recognises where he is and he's enjoying the sun on his back."

Absurde’s last victory came over hurdles at Plumpton in April, but in his three most recent runs on the Flat he has finished third, second and third.

Representing Britain on the Everest undercard is the William Haggas-trained Lake Forest, who will race in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes, over a mile.

Cieren Fallon riding Lake Forest to win the James Squire Golden Eagle Credit: Jeremy Ng

The No Nay Never colt knows what it takes to win in Australia. Last November he landed the £2.8 million James Squire Golden Eagle at Rosehill, beating Lazzat by half a length. 

He matched that performance on Racing Post Ratings last time, when finishing runner-up in the Group 1 City of York Stakes.

Caulfield Cup, 7.15 Caulfield (Aus), Saturday
bet365: 19-10 Half Yours, 8 Meydaan, Royal Supremacy, 10 Vauban, 12 Middle Earth, 16 Birdman, Deakin, 20 Golden Snap, 22 Revelare, 22 Absurde, 25 Bar.

King Charles III Stakes, 7.35 Randwick (Aus), Saturday
bet365: 3 Fangirl, 16-5 Pride Of Jenni, 4 Mr Brightside, 13-2 Lake Forest, 9 Pericles, 10 Bar.

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