New Zealand horseman Andrew Forsman confirmed the team were still looking at the Caulfield Cup 2017 next month for reigning ATC Derby winner Jon Snow despite a somewhat disappointing run at Flemington over the weekend.
ATC Derby winner Jon Snow is still in the mix for the Caulfield Cup 2017 despite a mid-field finish in the Makybe Diva Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart.
A proven young stayer, the now four-year-old son of Iffraaj ran second-up in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), finishing a midfield eighth and beaten six lengths by the upset winner Humidor.
Jon Snow is best known for saluting in his maiden two runs down under over the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival completing the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) – Group 1 ATC Derby (2400m) double on Heavy tracks.
His first-up run of the spring saw him finish an eye-catching sixth when only three lengths off possible The Everest contender Vega Magic in Caulfield’s Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) as a $61 roughie.
Second-up on Saturday the entire jumped an $18 shot stepping up to the mile.
While on paper the result wasn’t ideal, Forsman said he and co-trainer Murray Baker saw enough in the luckless run to press on with plans to contest the Group 1 $3 million BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) over the mile and a half on October 21.
“He went a solid race in the circumstances,” Forsman told the New Zealand Racing Desk on Sunday.
“He races best when he can get some clear air which wasn’t the case on Saturday as ended up being bottled up amongst them and took a fair bit of jostling.
“He made up some ground late in the piece and has pulled up looking a treat so I think we can move on with some confidence from the run.”
Baker enjoyed Caulfield Cup success two years ago with then four-year-old Mongolian Khan (2015) who saluted as the $5 favourite after his lead-up third in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Caulfield Stakes (2000m).
Forsman said next-up options for Jon Snow this season included the Group 3 $200,000 JRA Cup (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Moir Stakes Night, September 29, or the Group 1 $750,000 Underwood Stakes (1800m) run at Caulfield Racecourse on the Sunday of that AFL Grand Final long weekend.
Futures Caulfield Cup 2017 betting at Ladbrokes.com.au are now firmly led by the weekend’s impressive Makybe Diva Stakes winner Humidor ($6) from the stables of Darren Weir.
Jon Snow has eased down the all-in Caulfield Cup odds and can now be found at a price of $26.
The Caulfield Cup 2017 first acceptances are set to close on September 26 making now the time to head to Ladbrokes.com.au for the best early markets on the spring staying classic.
