Racing: Four NZ-trained runners left in Cup

The main New Zealand contenders all firmed in the Caulfield Cup market yesterday as Saturday's 2400m feature was thrown wide open with the defections of Speed Gifted and Maldivian.

Trainer Lee Freedman confirmed Speed Gifted would bypass Caulfield for the Cox Plate a week later, while last year's Cox Plate winner Maldivian was ruled out for the spring after suffering a suspensory ligament injury at trackwork.

New Zealand-trained hopefuls Hoorang and Six O'Clock News went agonisingly close, but were just outside the cut when the Melbourne Racing Club committee confirmed the field of 18 runners, plus four emergencies yesterday.

They were the only two of the 24 paid-up entries to miss out, as the Kiwi-bred Light Vision snuck in as the 18th runner.

Baughurst, Shocking, Newport and Miss Darcey were named the emergencies, with Miss Darcey elevated to fourth emergency ahead of Six O'Clock News by the MRC.

It left the Paul Murray-trained Predatory Pricer and the Danny O'Brien-trained Vigor as $7 equal favourites with Australia's TAB Sportsbet, ahead of Luca Cumani's English visitor Cima De Triomphe at $8.

Of the New Zealand raiders, Daffodil tightened from $12 to $11, while Red Ruler shortened from $14 to $12.

The barrier draw for the race will be held today.

Daffodil's trainer Kevin Gray said that his AJC Oaks-winning mare had arrived safely in Melbourne on Sunday night and would have her only gallop at Flemington this morning.

After a close-up fourth to Vosne Romanee in the Kelt Capital Stakes (2000m) at Hastings, Daffodil drops to 51.5kg for jockey Chris Munce on Saturday.

Trainer John Sargent said he would apply blinkers to Red Ruler, to be ridden by Danny Nikolic, after the stayer was reluctant to take gaps in his close-up fifths against strong fields in the Underwood and Turnbull Stakes.

The Murray and Bjorn Baker-trained Harris Tweed shortened from $41 to $35, while his AJC Derby conqueror Roman Emperor ($21) also paid up with rain forecast in Melbourne for the rest of the week.

The chance of a soft track was also tempting transtasman trainer Mike Moroney, whose stayer Sarrera shortened from $61 to $41, with Nick Hall booked for the ride.

Moroney's racing manager Anthony Feroce said the stable was happy with Sarrera after its disappointing 10th in the Kelt when second-favourite.

"The wind dried the track up and it was a bit firm for him. The race was a walk and a sprint home which didn't suit him," he said.

"He's racing like he needs 2400m and we think we're going in with a very fit horse. Any rain would certainly enhance his chances."

Caulfield Cup field: Viewed, Kirklees, C'est La Guerre, Cima de Triomphe, Fiumicino, Master O'Reilly, Roman Emperor, Sarrera, Predatory Pricer, Red Ruler, Zavite, Harris Tweed, Light Vision, Daffodil, Ready To Lift, Red Lord, Vigor and Allez Wonder. Emergencies: Baughurst, Shocking, Newport and Miss Darcey.

- NZPA