WELLINGTON - Connections of New Zealand galloper Kaapstad Way will have an anxious few days before the horse is confirmed a place in the $A2 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 21.
Kaapstad Way has improved to 17th equal, along with three other horses, in the elimination plan after Tuesday's third acceptances, and he will probably make the 18-horse field.
However, the winners of Saturday's Yalumba Stakes (2000m) and Herbert Power Handicap (2400m) are exempt from the ballot for the Caulfield Cup and could push Kaapstad Way out of the field.
But that is assuming all the third acceptors make the final payment next Tuesday.
Kaapstad Way has been one of the favourites since the first Caulfield Cup market was framed and he was elevated to outright favouritism after his fine third in the Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 23.
He slipped to equal fourth favourite, along with fellow Kiwi Hill Of Grace, after his modest run for eighth in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington last Saturday.
But it was not a performance that concerned trainer Chris Wood.
"He's just hopeless when there is a bit of moisture in the ground and we were not at all surprised by the run," Wood said.
"He's going to strip a fit horse for the Caulfield Cup."
Wood has also been buoyed by the news that top jockey Damien Oliver has confirmed he will ride Kaapstad Way.
Hill Of Grace, seventh in the Turnbull, is guaranteed a Caulfield start at fourth equal in the rankings and Pravda and Second Coming (both 14th equal) and former New Zealanders Skoozi Please (eighth equal) and Sarwatch (13th) will also make the field if they pay up.
Kelt Capital Stakes winner The Message (29th equal) and Kelt placegetter Magic Winner (32nd equal) will probably need to win this weekend to gain a start.
The Message tackles the Yalumba Stakes, with Magic Winner in the Herbert Power Handicap.
Former champion galloper Kingston Town is one of many top horses who had trouble handling Caulfield - and that's one reason Brisbane trainer Barry Miller has made every effort to get Show A Heart used to the tricky circuit.
Show A Heart is second favourite for Saturday's $A752,000 Caulfield Guineas behind Spring Champion Stakes winner Universal Prince.
Miller, based at Eagle Farm, has had Show A Heart stabled at Caulfield since coming down from Brisbane last month and the Brave Warrior colt has been on the course proper three times.
"He's had a gallop, a race and a jump-out," Miller said yesterday.
"It [Caulfield] has brought a few undone, including Kingston Town."
Kingston Town was sent out a short-priced favourite in the 1979 guineas, his first appearance at Caulfield, and finished third behind Runaway Kid after having difficulty getting around the turns.
Show A Heart, winner of the group one T J Smith (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June, resumed after an 11-week break with a two-length second to top filly So Gorgeous in the Ascot Vale Stakes (1200m) at Flemington in Melbourne on September 9.
He had a gallop on the Caulfield course proper the week leading up to his three-quarter length second to Fubu in the Guineas Prelude (1400m) on September 23. Miller gave Show A Heart a jump-out over 1200m at Caulfield on Tuesday.
With race rider Steven King up, the chestnut settled last early before working home nicely to win the trial.
"He went really well and he couldn't be better," Miller said.
Meanwhile, the Bevan Laming-trained Rapid Man has gone amiss and will miss the Guineas.
- NZPA
Racing: Leading Kiwi still in doubt for Cup
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