Efficient - Speed Gifted - Predatory Pricer - Vigor - Daffodil

The Age

Andrew Eddy
October 4, 2009

THE Caulfield and Melbourne cups have new favourites after two breathtaking victories in group 1 races just 20 minutes apart but in totally different conditions yesterday.

At Flemington, Efficient won his first race since the 2007 Melbourne Cup and just his second in three years when he unleashed sizzling sectionals on the firm track to take the Turnbull Stakes in a major upset. His performance came just as the presentation at Randwick was being completed for Speed Gifted's dominant 3½-length win in the Metropolitan on a deteriorating track to catapult him to Caulfield Cup favouritism.

Speed Gifted is now $4.50 favourite for the Caulfield Cup although he is not yet assured of a start. He is also the $7 equal favourite with Efficient for the Melbourne Cup.

For Efficient's owner, Lloyd Williams, the unexpected victory was doubly satisfying as the grey was ridden by his godson Nick Hall.

''It is stuff that dreams are made of when your godson rides his first group 1 winner on one of your all-time favourite horses,'' Williams said. ''That run shows that he's on target for the Melbourne Cup. It's been a most satisfying day.''

It is doubtful whether Nick Hall has enjoyed a better day at the races. He won the listed Bart Cummings on Light Vision, his first group 1 win on Efficient and then, 40 minutes later, won the group 2 Gilgai Stakes on All Silent.

Lee Freedman was also more than satisfied with his imported galloper Speed Gifted's performance to plough through wet conditions to trounce his rivals in the Metropolitan.

Racing Victoria Ltd chief handicapper Greg Carpenter holds the key to whether Speed Gifted makes the final field on October 17 when he tomorrow announces a penalty for the galloper's win.

Speed Gifted was languishing outside the Caulfield Cup elimination list at equal 63rd in order for a run and although yesterday's win took him past the first ballot clause for the $2.5 million race, he still will need a penalty of at least two kilograms to be assured of a run.

With 51, Speed Gifted has eight kilograms under weight-for-age, but with a two-kilogram penalty he would rise to a safe spot at equal 24th for the 18-horse field. More than six horses who are higher ranked are certain to miss the Caulfield Cup.

Freedman said he would not be deflated if Speed Gifted did not make the Caulfield Cup line-up. ''His win was emphatic and showed me that he is a real Melbourne Cup horse,'' Freedman said.

Yesterday's win lifted Speed Gifted from 80th in line for a run in the Melbourne Cup. A two kilogram penalty would push him to about 25th.

Efficient, who cannot be re-handicapped for his Turnbull win, was back near the tail of the field until he registered a blistering 22.05 seconds for the section between the 600 and 200 metres.

He edged out a gallant Predatory Pricer, who is now likely to run next in the Caulfield Cup, for which he is the second favourite.

Vigor, who had dominated the Caulfield Cup market since his Makybe Diva Stakes win a month ago, was tumbling down the betting last night after an inglorious 13th in the Turnbull.

Trainer Danny O'Brien said the galloper was cramped for room and did not finish off his race but looked to have pulled up well and would press on to the Caulfield Cup.

AJC Oaks winner Daffodil's Caulfield Cup hopes faded after she ran a lacklustre fourth behind bolter Vosne Romanee in the Kelt Capital Stakes in New Zealand yesterday.