Internationally performed hoop Tommy Berry has declared his Caulfield Cup 2016 mount Tavago as a “leading contender” for the world’s richest mile and a half handicap this October.

ATC Derby winner Tavago is on track for a 2016 Caulfield Cup bid with Tommy Berry aboard this spring. Photo: Steve Hart.

Berry is yet to taste success in the $3 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), running this season on October 15, but hopes to break through with a maiden win aboard the Trent Busuttin-trained Kiwi raider Tavago.

Last Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival New Zealand visitor Mongolian Khan (2015) won the Caulfield Cup for trainer Murray Baker with a Kiwi hoop, Oppie Bosson, aboard for the victory.

Twelve months on Berry believes the New Zealanders could go back-to-back with Tavistock gelding Tavago doing lots right in the lead-up to his trip to Melbourne.

A winner of three of his seven career starts to date, the rising four-year-old was last seen taking out Sydney’s Group 1 ATC Derby (2400m) at Royal Randwick on April 2 with Berry aboard.

It was an impressive three and a quarter length win by the $41 roughie in the Derby with Tavago flying home ahead of last year’s Crown Oaks winning filly Jameka.

The ATC Derby was also the horse’s first run down under, improvement to come next time in according to Berry who has also secured his 2016 Melbourne Cup mount aboard the Japanese raider Curren Mirotic.

“What he did over the autumn, winning the Derby in the fashion he did it, he really belted his rivals on that occasion,” Berry said of Tavago speaking to Racing Victoria this week.

“He’s still a big baby, he’s still got a lot to learn.

“I’ve spoken to Trent a couple of times since then, he’s really happy with how he’s spelled and had his break.

“He’s heading to the Caulfield Cup, and he’s a leading contender at this stage.”

Current all-in Caulfield Cup betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au have Winx as the $15 favourite despite trainer Chris Waller far from confirming the Cox Plate winning mare’s run in the race.

Tavago can be found at a $21 quote in the futures Caulfield Cup odds, an equal price with the Ciaron Maher-trained Jameka and last year’s third placegetter Our Ivanhowe who was last seen winning Brisbane’s Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on May 21.

Get behind your early Caulfield Cup 2016 betting selections online now at Ladbrokes.com.au – home of the best Group 1 spring futures markets!