Racing: Kilo won't keep Khan down

Opie Bosson celebrates his Caulfield Cup success on Mongolian Khan with owner Lin Lang. Picture / Getty Images

If Mongolian Khan does not complete a record-breaking double Derby, Caulfield and Melbourne Cup it won't because of the 1kg re-handicap allotted him yesterday.

Victorian handicapper Greg Carpenter was within his rights to have at least doubled that Melbourne Cup re-handicap because Saturday's A$3 million Caulfield Cup victory was achieved with some ease.

Opie Bosson, after a sensational ride, allowed Mongolian Khan to cruise late in the race, the half-length winning margin flattering those behind him, including the solid-closing runner-up Trip To Paris.

Trainer Murray Baker said he was satisfied that the stayer's 56kg still gives the horse a chance at the coveted Cups double.

"I thought it was very fair," Baker said. "He's a big horse and I don't think one kilo is going to stop him."

Baker was also impressed with the rejuvenated Bosson. "He didn't flog him the last 200m, he had it in the bag. And as you saw, he made it a staying test."

For all that, Mongolian Khan is only the $8.50 third favourite behind Japan's Fame Game at $5 and Trip To Paris on $8.

Everyone was impressed with Fame Game coming from last on the home bend to finish right behind the placegetters - except stewards.

They told last year's winning rider Zac Purton they were not amused by his ride.

"We are very concerned about your ride," steward Rob Montgomery told Purton. Stewards took no action against the jockey but told Purton: "When there was a wall of horses in front on the home bend you were obligated to pull out of there and improve wide."

To which Purton replied: "I wasn't on a helicopter."

Stewards told Purton he was not to ride the Japanese horse in the same manner in the Melbourne Cup.

Fame Game's trainer Yoshitada Munakata said there would be no change in riding instructions for Flemington. Munakata said he was delighted with Fame Game's effort.

"I think you could say we had the Melbourne Cup in mind at least six months ago," Munakata said.

"We were respectful about how strong it would be to win a Melbourne Cup, but I have 50 horses at home in my stable and Fame Game is the best."

Munakata believes there are many dangers in the Melbourne Cup but highlighted the performance of the Caulfield Cup winner Mongolian Khan.

"He looked very strong and a nice stayer but he won't be the only horse to get over come Cup day," he said.

The 3200m of the Melbourne Cup is a brutal race and one perfectly suited to Fame Game.

He gets back in his races and can motor home powerfully off a fast pace at the end of a hard-run 3200m.

That was evidenced by his fast-finishing close second to outstanding stayer Gold Ship in Japan's premier staying race, the 3200m Tenno Sho. The winner recorded an almost unbelievable 3.14.7 for the race.

Mongolian Khan's victory was comprehensive in every way. For trainer Murray Baker it was the 16th group one in Australia, Mongolian Khan's extreme stamina was evident and for Bosson it was a triumph of discipline. It was only two years back when the magnificently talented Rotorua boy gave up, played rugby and ballooned out to 78kg.

"I was undisciplined, but when you get on a horse like this it changes your life and your approach to it," Bosson said. "This is the fittest I've ever been and a lot of the credit has to go to my girlfriend [Emily Murphy]. She keeps me in line."

Boasting is not in the Bosson make-up, but yesterday the Caulfield Cup afterglow plucked something from deep down. "I'm actually not bad at this," he said.

No, Opie. Not "not bad". Fantastic.