Are You Ready For The Caulfield Cup

Are You Ready For the Caulfield Cup? The Caulfield Cup is considered one of the toughest handicap races run anywhere in the world. First run in the autumn of 1879, it was moved to the spring of 1881 where it has been run since.

The Caulfield Cup is the major lead-up race for the Melbourne Cup and as a result the histories of each famous race are woven together. Many of the same trainers, jockeys and horse names can be found when you read the honours roll of both races. When a horse wins both the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup, it is said to have won the "Cups double".

The Group 1 Caulfield Cup race may lead to the Melbourne Cup, but it stands alone in its heritage. The Caulfield racetrack, also known as "The Heath", is the home of the Melbourne Racing Club. The handicap race is run over 2400 metres, or a mile and a half, and Caulfield's triangular shape makes for three straight runs.

The Early Years Few people in the 1800's would have known that the Caulfield Cup would become such a beloved Australian horse race that now captures the interest of the world.

The early Caulfield Cup races were run under difficult conditions which reflected the hardiness of the Australians. The first horse to win was named Newminster and he had to cope with no running rails and an ill-defined course. The race quickly became so popular that people began to turn it into an event replete with carnival activities and some of the best fashion finery made. In just a few short years, the Caulfield Cup went from a rough and tumble race to one attended by Australia's richest citizens. That only proves horse racing is in the blood, because you could not keep Australians away from such an event.

Poseidon and Rivette The Melbourne Cup race has seen some of the greatest horse racing ever recorded. It seems only fitting that one of the great winners was a horse named Poseidon, who shared it's name with the legend of Greek mythology. In 1906 Poseidon won the Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup, AJC and Derby in a single season, becoming the only horse to do so.

The mare Rivette won the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup's in 1939, becoming the first mare to win the cups double. What made this story particularly remarkable is that her trainer, Harry Bamber, was virtually broke before the race, but never lost faith in his horse. Needless to say Mr. Bamber was set for life financially after the Cups double.

Since 1879 there have only been 11 horses that can claim this feat: Poseidon in 1906, The Trump in 1937, Rivette in 1939, Rising Fast in 1954, Even Stevens in 1962, Galilee in 1966, Gurner's Lane in 1982, Let's Elope in 1991, Doriemus in 1995, Might and Power in 1997 and Ethereal in 2001.

The Race is On Over the years the Caulfield Cup has grown in stature. The names of legendary past winners roll off the tongues of Australians....Rising Fast setting records in 1954 that stand today; Rivette the first winning cups double mare; Ming Dynasty winning in 1977 and 1980; Taufan's Melody the first English trained horse to win the race in 1998.

The names of horses and jockeys and trainers that cover almost 130 years of Australian history are testament to a race that holds a country enthralled year after year.

David Duffield provides horse racing tips, ratings, lay betting and sports tips that will help you turn into a winning punter. To learn more please visit Horse Racing.

[Source]