Cape strikes for top trio but all eyes on another Ballydoyle recruit

David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig enjoyed the perfect start with the former Aidan O’Brien-trained Cape Of Good Hope in the Ladbrokes Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday but there is another Ballydoyle recruit who could hit the headlines during the Spring Carnival.

In the aftermath of Saturday’s Group 1 success, Hayes snr spoke openly about the fine pedigree of Cape Of Good Hope and plans to head for the Cox Plate, praising stable stalwart Gary Fennessy for his good work in preparing the three-year-old during his quarantine period in Newmarket.

However, Hayes, with a glint in his eye, told the press not to forget about Constantinople, who left no doubt in the trainer’s mind that he can be competitive in the Lexus Melbourne Cup after an impressive piece of work last week.

Cape Of Good Hope (near): landed the Ladbrokes Stakes at Caulfield on SaturdayCredit: Racing Photos

Hayes said: “We’ll get to know Constantinople in the Caulfield Cup and maybe try blinkers on him, then if that doesn’t work we can go back to the tried and tested way that Aidan [O’Brien] used in the Melbourne Cup.

“He’s a horse who has his quirks but is talented and worked very well last week.”

Constantinople boasts strong form this season, including a Gallinule Stakes win at the Curragh and runner-up efforts in the King George V Stakes, Gordon Stakes and Great Voltigeur.

He is available at 12-1 to win the Caulfield Cup on Saturday and a general 14-1 to land the Melbourne Cup on November 5. Don’t say you weren’t told!

Menuisier sitting tight on flight

David Menuisier saddled his first runner in Australia on the same card on Saturday and will return in two weeks' time to Moonee Valley, where Danceteria is set to contest the Ladbrokes Cox Plate.

A fear of flying is not a great trait for a trainer travelling back and forth to Britain and Australia, however, and Menuisier is a self-confessed “bad traveller”.

David Menuisier: 'It's a crazy long flight and I absolutely hate flying'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Menuisier said: “It’s been a great experience at Caulfield as everyone is welcoming and it’s a fantastic track.

“It’s really well maintained and I’m looking forward to being at Moonee Valley in two weeks, although I’m not looking forward to the flight as I’m a bad traveller.

“It’s a crazy long flight and I absolutely hate flying but I have to say my first flight over was quite good. Hopefully it will continue that way!”

Winning fair and square

Kerrin McEvoy and Damian Lane shared A$50,000 (£26,915) after winning the Star of the Saddle award on Caulfield Guineas day.

The award is not only based on points accrued for riding winners and first-three finishers (winner – three points, second – two points, third – one point) but the rider must also have not been suspended at the meeting.

Kerrin McEvoy: 25,000 other reasons to celebrate on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

If the highest points scorer has been suspended the prize goes to the second-placed rider and so on – rewarding fair and successful riding.

The cash prize gets better during the Spring Carnival with A$100,000 (£53,830) on offer on Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Victoria Derby day, with the winning jockey on the last-named raceday also receiving a set of four saddles valued at more than $3,000 (£1,611).

It’s not hard to imagine jockeys in Britain and Ireland would be quite keen to adopt this series.

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