Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup

The VATC held its inaugural race meeting at Caulfield in August 1876.  When the Caulfield Cup was first run the Melbourne Cup run by the VRC at Flemington was already a target race for connections.  The Caulfield Cup was introduced in 1879 when it was run on April 5^th.   Expectations for the race were high but the windy dusty day plus transport problems kept the crowd to a far smaller number than expected.  Fifteen horses lined up at the start and Newminster was slowly away settling at the back of the field.  Prattle led to the 800m where Star and Mountaineer took over with Newminster starting to make ground.  As Newminster was checked Mountaineer hit the front and was clear on straightening.  Levant started to run on down the outside as Newminster picked up momentum going for a run between them.  Inside the final 50m the trio went stride for stride but Newminster slowly edged ahead passing the post in front by a neck from Levant with another neck to Mountaineer third.  Newminster went on to be a successful sire with his progeny including 1893 Melb Cup winner Tarcoola, 1896 Melb Cup winner Newhaven and 1890 Caulfield Cup winner Vengence. 

There were two Caulfield Cup in 1881.  The first was the traditional April Cup won by Blue Ribbon.  During 1881 a new secretary took over at the VATC and he took a suggestion to the committee for a two day carnival in October.  It was agreed and on October 13^th the Caulfield Guineas and Toorak Hcp were run while the Caulfield Cup took centre stage on October 15^th.  Coming to the finish of the first spring edition of the race Pirate was in front as Master Avenel challenged and then Woodlands charged home from well back.  As they hit the line many onlookers considered that either Woodlands had won or its was a dead heat.  After a delay the judge signalled Master Avenel the winner from Pirate and refused to assign a third placing - officially there has never been a third placed horse listed. 

In 1885 41 horses lined up for the Caulfield (the biggest field to line up in any race in Australia had been 42 also in a race at Caulfield).   A number of false starts took place before they jumped and the race was on in earnest.  Passing the 800m as horses jostled for position resulting in several stumbling.  In the huge field there was no room to recover and horses and jockeys started to crash to the turf.  In all 16 horses fell and as Grace Darling stormed home to win onlookers and officials raced to the scene.  One jockey, D Nicholson, was thrown in the running rail and died as he was carried off the track.  A horse called Uarah also died and many others were badly injured.  

In 1893 there was a sensation in the result and subsequent protest.  In the run to the line Oxide and Sainfoin were fighting the race out when Tim Swiveller charged home late.  Passing the post Tim Swiveller was in front but had bored in on Oxide who had finished third with Sainfoin second.  A protest was lodged but dismissed by VATC stewards with the reasoning recorded as that although Tim Swiveller had contacted Oxide they felt it unfair to award the race to Sainfoin who appeared to have a clear run.  The owner of Sainfoin then appealed the dismissal with the VRC (under the rules of racing this was permitted).  The VRC upheld the protest and disqualified Tim Swiveller awarding the race to Sainfoin with Oxide second.  No horse was official named as the third placegetter but latter records list Moscow as filling third place.  

Another huge field of 32 runners lined up at the starting pole in 1892 with the new favourites G’Naroo (1891 winner) and Pygmalion.  Sydney horse Paris had been the long time favourite but put in an ordinary run in the Caulfield Stakes two days before.  Paris had won two of three 2yo starts and was undefeated as a 3yo with his main victory being the 1891 AJC Doncaster.  As a 4yo he won the highly regarded Wycombe Stakes.  In the Caulfield Cup Pygamalion led for home but was soon challenged by Yaran and Paris.  By the 200m Paris raced away to win easily from Yarran with Clonard third.  The following year Paris won the AJC Metropolitan and then returned to Caulfield to win a second Caulfield Cup in 1894, interestingly this was the first meeting where they used the new starting device the barrier strands at Caulfield.  Paris was now a 7yo but that didn’t stop his owner, Mrs HC White, sending him to England in 1895 for a number of big handicap races.  Although he missed his prime targets through injury Paris still won a number of good class races in the UK. 

In 1898 another large field, 33 runners, was sent to the start in the Caulfield Cup.  As they made the short run to the turn many runners were trying to get a good position and this resulted in bad crowding.  Prince Carbine led Alemene Rosebery and Hymettus with Acton close up but boxed between horses.  In the crowding Acton ran out of room and fell just past the post on the first lap with six other horses brought down in the incident while many favoured runners were badly hampered.  Yet again a jockey was killed this time a jockey 13 year old James Flanagan.  Around the turn Hymettus claimed the leader Rosebery and raced away to win easily from Masinissa who had suffered badly in the interference with The Chief third.  The following autumn Hymettus ran second in the Oakleigh Plate before leg problems hampered his race career as he missed the next season and only ran a handful of times in 1900-01.  In the spring of 1901 he returned to racing and won the Club Hcp at Caulfield in August.  He then won the Memsie Stakes but all eyes were on the wonder mare Wakeful as she raced to victory in the Caulfield Stakes by 6 lengths from Hymettus.  The older horse then ran in the Eclipse Stakes on the second carnival day finishing second again before lining up in the Caulfield Cup.  Wakeful led with Hymettus settling in fifth and soon Bonnie Chiel (who had won the Toorak) took on the mare.  Wakeful shook off the challenger but soon Blunderer challenged and again she had to fight to hold the lead.  Turning for home Wakeful was well clear but Hymettus started to run on.  By the 200m she was in front but appeared to stumble giving Hymettus the chance to draw level.  The pair went stride for stride and right on the post Hymettus got the bob in to win in record time from Wakeful.  Hymettus later went on to a successful career at stud. 

One of the greatest 3yos of the Australian turf added his name to the winners list of the Caulfield Cup in the early 1900s.  Poseidon was raised at Arrowfield Stud at Jerrys Plains in the Hunter Valley.  Consigned to the Sydney yearling sales he was purchased by Hugh Dixon who later changed his name to Hugh Denison.  Poseidon was sent to the stables of Isaac Earnshaw but as immature 2yo he could only win one race (his second start) as a two and was placed third at his final of six starts for the season.  When he returned at 3 Poseidon had matured and won a welter first up before winning the Spring Hcp at Rosehill.  He then lined up in the AJC Derby against the favoured pair in Collarit and Antonius.  Poseidon settled just off the pace and raced to the lead in the straight winning by ¾ length to Collarit.  He then lined up in the Metropolitan and was soundly beaten into second place by the New Zealand mare Solution.  Poseidon went on to win the Eclipse Stakes while Solution took out the Caulfield Stakes both heading for the Caulfield Cup.  On settling in the Cup Solution was fourth while Poseidon was seventh.  By the 1200m Solution raced away in front while Poseidon moved up to third  Around the turn Poseidon issued his challenge and when Solution couldn’t answer the colt raced away to win by 3 lengths in race record time from Simoda with Booran third as Solution tired to 5^th.  Poseidon then defeated Antonious by 1 ½ lengths with a further four lengths to Booran third before lining up in the Melbourne Cup.  Around the turn Solution was in front but Poseidon quickly ranged up then took over to race away winning by 1 ½ lengths from Antonious with Proceed third.  Spelled until the autumn Poseidon returned to win the St Helier Stakes, VRC St Leger and VRC Loch Plate all by a huge margin.  He then met with defeat behind Dividend in the VRC Champion Stakes before defeating his only opponent Oakton in the AJC St Leger.  Divided again had his measure in the AJC Cumberland Stakes and Poseidon went for a spell.   

First up as a 4yo Poseidon was placed third behind Mountain King and Collarit in the Rawson Stakes (now known as the Chelmsford) before returning to the winners list in the AJC Spring Stakes.  At his next start , the Craven Plate, Poseidon appeared disappointing in running third to Mountain King and Iolaire but his jockey Tom Clayton advised the stable that mid race another runner had contacted Poseidon and winded him.  Poseidon then won the Eclipse Stakes before trying to be the first horse to win back to back Caulfield Cups.  Stablemate the former New Zealander Apologue was the best backed to upset the favourite.  In the early stages both horses were well back in the 16 horse field.  Around the turn Welcome Trist was well clear but the crowd soon started cheering as Poseidon started to charge at the leader.  By the 200m Poseidon had assumed control but Apologue was starting to chase hard.  Inside the final stages Apologue was closing on Poseidon but the latter had too much in reserve winning by a length.  The brown champion then won the Mebourne Stakes before lining up in the Melbourne Cup with 65.5kg (including the full penalty from the Caulfield Cup win).  He could only manage 8^th as Apologue raced away to win.  Poseidon then raced well below his best being beaten by his only opponent Mountain King by four lengths in the CB Fisher Plate.  He resumed in the autumn in the Rawson Stakes at Rosehill where he defeated Decollette and Welcome Trist.  He then met with interference in the AJC Autumn Stakes where he ran fourth.  Four days later Poseidon gained revenge on Tartan defeating him by six lengths in the AJC Cumberland Stakes before winning the AJC Plate again from Tartan.

After finishing well down the track at his only start as a 5yo Poseidon was retired to stud at Eumarella Stud at Gulgong in NSW where he sired a number of stakeswinners.  Poseidon died on February 3 1930 when aged 26 years. 

In 1909 the only dead heat for first in the Caulfield Cup occurred.  Aborigine was sired by the VRC Derby-Melbourne Cup winner Merriwee while Blue Book was by NZ horse True Blue. 

In 1922 around 4am on the morning of Caulfield Cup day emergency services were called to the course.  The members stand was lost to fire and while the firemen saved the public stand all the administration and official amenities were also lost.  The VATC used makeshift scales in the horse stalls area, a ticket selling booth was the judges box and races were timed via stopwatch while the press ‘box’ was an arrangement of tables set up in the open.  Luckily is was a warm and still spring day as 50,000 race fans turned up for the meeting. 

The winner of the race in 1922 was a 3yo called Whittier.  Sired by the outstanding racehorse Woorak Whittier had 7 starts as a 2yo for three minor wins.  When he returned as a 3yo he won the Seaside hcp second up before being placed in the Heatherlie hcp and then was second in the Caulfield Guineas.  Carrying the lightweight of 44kg Whittier ten ran on hard to win the Caulfield Cup by a length from Tangalooma with Purser third in race record equalling time.  Whittier then won the VRC Derby before running unplaced in the Melbourne Cup.  In the autumn Whittier only started 4 times including a trip to Sydney where he was second in a Flying , unplaced in the Doncaster and second to Purser in the All Aged Stakes.  Returning as a 4yo he won the Ailsa Hcp second up then easily won the VRC October Stakes.  Whittier was then second in the Caulfield Stakes before being unplaced in the Caulfield Cup.  He was then second to Easingwold in the Cox Plate before a spell.  In the autumn he was unplaced in the Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket before heading to Sydney where he won the Rawson Stakes and then carried 59.5kg to victory in the AJC Doncaster Hcp.  The finish his season he was second in the All Aged Stakes for the second year in a row. 

As a 5yo Whittier resumed winning the Williamstown Stakes before a third in the Memsie Stakes and then a win in the VRC October Stakes.  He went down by a half head to the champion The Hawk in the Caulfield Stakes before a second to The night Patrol in the Cox Plate.  He finished the spring with a second to the champion Gloaming in the Melbourne Stakes.  In the autumn he followed a similar course to the previous year being unplaced in the Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket before going to Sydney and another tight second to The Hawk in the Rawson Stakes.  Whittier was then unplaced in the Doncaster before running second in the All Aged Stakes for the third year in succession.  Whittier returned as a 6yo where he won the Williamstown Stakes then ran second to Heroic in the Memsie Stakes.  In Sydney he defeated The Hawk in the Warwick Stakes before Windbag had his measure in the Spring Stakes.  To Melbourne ad Whittier was third beaten a neck by a neck behind Heroic and the Night Patrol in the Caulfield Stakes before his third attempt at the Caulfield Cup.  Lining up as favourite in the Cup and ridden by Jim Pike Whittier was drawn in barrier 11 but was edged into starting position number three.  By the 1200m Whittier was fourth on the rails and when the leaders drifted wise around the home turn he got the perfect run through to hit the lead.  Nothing else could make ground and Whittier raced away to win by two lengths from Raith with Lamina third.  Whittier was then unplaced in the Melbourne Stakes before a second in the Linlithgow behind The Night Patrol with Heroic third. In the autumn Whittier was second to The Night Patrol in the William Reid Stakes before defeating Heroic in the CF Orr Stakes and then carrying 62.5kg to victory over Pantheon and Heroic in the St George Stakes.  Whittier retired to stud but didn’t meet with great success. 

In 1943 there was two divisions of the Caulfield Cup run. Due to the war there was no racing on the first Saturday of each month nor any midweek racing so owners often entered horses above their class to get a run and the VATC ended up with a huge number of final acceptors for the race.  They decided to run two divisions and treat the winners as dead heats in regard to betting on the race.  In the first division racegoers saw Tranquil Star trying to win the race for the second year in a row but the huge weight made it impossible as Saint Warden raced past to win by ¾ length from Heart’s Desire with Simmering third.  Two years previously Skipton had won the Melbourne Cup as a 3yo (and remains the last 3yo to win it) but had struggled in recent times.  In the second division though he returned to form making a long sustained run from well back to hit the lead in the straight going on to win by 1 ½ lengths from Amana with Centenary third. 

In 1946 Bernborough was expected to continue with his unbeaten form of the year but after suffering three bouts of interference in the final stages which made it impossible for the great horse to power home.  The winner of the race was Royal Gem an outstanding racehorse who later went to America as a sire were he was very successful. 

The champion Rising Fast emerged from New Zealand when he travelled to Australia in the winter of 1954.  He was second first up in a Flying at Doomben before running fourth in the Stradbroke Hcp.  Unplaced in the Doomben 10,000 Rising Fast was then third in the Doomben Cup before winning the JHS Barnes Stakes.  Rising Fast was then sent to Melbourne where he was unplaced in the Memsie Stakes before winning the John F Feehan Stakes and running second to Flying Halo in the Underwood Stakes.  Rising Fast then began a series of victories which no horse has gone close to repeating.  After defeating Cromis in the Turnbull Stakes Rising Fast repeated the dose in the Caulfield Stakes with Hydrogen in third place.  On the day in the previous race the Thousand Guineas Rising Fast’s rider fell and was badly injured (ultimately he was away from riding for 6 months) which left Rising Fast who was the short priced favourite.  His trainer Ivan Tucker hurried searched for a replacement and found A Ward’s mount had been a late scratching.   Arthur Ward rode Rising Fast a little forward of his instructions having him in third place during the run moving up to second at the 800m before racing away in front by the 600m.  On straightening Rising Fast was well clear but Electro and Advocate were chasing hard.  Rising Fast responded to the challenge fighting back strongly to win by 3/4 length from Electro with Advocate third.  He was penalised the full amount for the Melbourne Cup taking his weight to 59.5kg.  A week later he lined up against the best horses in Australia in the Cox Plate and won by four lengths from Prince Delville with Pride of Egypt third.  He then backed up in the Mackinnon Stakes defeating Cromis and Flying Halo before heading to the Melbourne Cup.  Rising Fast took control in the early stages and was never headed winning by 1 ¼ lengths from Hellion with Gay Helios third.  Four days later Rising Fast was back at Flemington to win the CB Fisher Plate before a spell.  Rising Fast raced 9 times in 8 weeks for 8 wins and a close second.  He backed up every week from the Turnbull to the CB Fisher Plate - a remarkable feat.  

While his owner wanted to leave Rising Fast in Australia his trainer Ivan Tucker thought it better for the horse to return to New Zealand.  Unfortunately it turned out to be for the worse.  Over the summer his trainer was suspended for 12 months due to a positive swab and a new trainer was sought for Rising Fast.  It was decided to send him to the stables of Fred Hoysted in Victoria.  Due to the stable change a transporter was responsible for Rising Fast on the return trip and reportedly the attendant assigned o the Cup winner hadn’t gone near the horse with only the ships crew ensuring the horse had food and water but in the hot conditions and standing in his stall that had not been cleaned throughout the trip Rising Fast arrived in shocking condition.  The trip took its toll and Rising Fast struggled to return to his best form running three seconds to horses he had been thrashing in the spring before winning the VRC Carbine Stakes against his only opponent Electro.  He then went to Sydney running second in the Autumn Stakes before being unplaced in the Sydney Cup.  He was then sent for a spell.   

Rising Fast was in far better condition in the spring where he was 4^th in the Memsie and Craiglee before deadheating for second in the Underwood.  Redcraze was too good in the Turnbull Stakes but then Rising Fast returned to winning in the Herbert Power Hcp.  A second to Prince Courtland in the Caulfield Stakes followed before Rising Fast lined up in the Caulfield Cup again.  Jumping from barrier 17 Rising Fast settled in third last position but slowly improved trough to run to be 5^th  by the 800m.  Around the turn Rising Fast charged up to take the led and powered away winning by three lengths from Ray Ribbon with Historic Era third.  In winning he became only the second horse behind Poseidon to win the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double then return to win the Caulfield Cu for a second time.  Unplaced in the Cox Plate Rising Fast easily won the Mackinnon Stakes before heading out with 63.5kg for the Melbourne Cup.  In the straight Toparoa was in front but Rising Fast ranged up quickly.  Feeling the pressure Toparoa started to drift out causing interference to Rising Fast but after the horses passed the post in that order no protest was lodged.  It is still debated whether Rising Fast would have been declared the winner.  In the autumn Rising Fast won the CF Orr Stakes and Blamey Stakes from three starts but in trackwork while preparing to go to Sydney he suffered a massive bleeding attack.  He survived but it took its toll on the horse.  As a 7yo he returned to win the Memsie second up but could only manage second placings in the Caulfield Stakes and Cox Plate and was retired two starts after running fifth in the Melbourne Cup carrying 65.5kg.  Rising Fast lived on his owners property until late 70s. 

As Rising Fast reached his retirement a young 2yo was just starting his career –his name was Tulloch.  Born in New Zealand he was purchased by Tommy Smith at the 1956 National Yearling Sale.  When TJ Smith tried to find an owner back in Australia many weren’t interested as while his breeding was considered OK he had a slight sway back.  Eventually Tommy Smith found an owner in EA Haley who was the studmaster of Te Koona Stud at Bathurst.  He wasn’t put off by the confirmation fault and named the colt after his mother’s birthplace in Scotland.  Tulloch was renowned for his bad temper often taking bites at his strappers but one day when a kitten dropped into his stall overnight it was a different story.  Tulloch spent the night circling the tiny creature which was found unharmed in the morning while Tulooch was dripping in sweat.  He debuted in the 1956 Breeders Stakes and was sent out favourite but raced greenly and couldn’t run down the speedy Flying Kurana with Prince Darius, the horse that later found fame repeatedly chasing home Tulloch, in third.  A week later Tulloch made amends winning by 2 ½ lengths from Prince Darius with four lengths to Lucky Clue third.  Taken to Melbourne Tulloch won the Gwyn Nursery but struggled to catch the flying filly Concert Star down the straight at Flemington in the Maribyrnong Plate.  Tulloch returned to winning a few days later in defeating Bomba in the Byron Moore Stakes.  He then went for a spell. 

He was second at his first two starts but then won the VRC Sires Produce from Ace High before running second to that horse in the Ascot Vale Stakes.  Returning to Sydney Tulloch defeated Prince Darius in the Fairfield Hcp before heading to the AJC Sires Produce.  While Tulloch had been in Melbourne a chestnut colt called Todman had emerged in Sydney and at his previous start had bolted in first in the Golden Slipper.  Todman was sent out the 6/1 on favourite with Tulloch at 7/1 and Prince Darius the only other runner.  Todman led and was in front well into the straight but Tulloch started to chased hard and soon swept past the chestnut to win by two lengths from Todman narrowly ahead of Prince Darius.  Five days later they met again in the Champagne Stakes then run over 1200m.  Todman gained his revenge winning in record time from Tulloch with Diamond Vista third.  Tuloloch then went to Bribane and won the QTC Sires Produce by six lengths before having a spell.  Tulloch returned for the Warwick Stakes where he took on the older horses.  The 3yo colt was too good winning from Prince Jambo with Kingster third.  He then went to the Rosehill Guineas defeating Prince Darius and Turkestan.  The same trifecta filled the placings in the AJC Derby where Tulloch raced away to win by 6 lengths in race record time with an 8 length gap between second and third.  Tulloch then went to Melbourne for the Caulfield Guineas where he cruised home by 8 lengths from Gay Saba.  He then went to the Caulfield Cup attempting to be the first 3yo since the mid 30s to win the race.  Tulloch raced midfield and was in 5^th place around the home turn.  Asked for his effort Tulloch cruised past the opposition and raced to the post under a hold to win officially by two lengths in Australasian record time.  Onlookers felt he could have won by far more if he’d bee ridden out to the line.  The time was the third fastest in the world at the time.  It wasn’t until Paris Lane in 1994 that a horse ran a quicker time in the Caulfield Cup.  Second placed behind Tulloch was Mac’s Amber with Sailor’s Guide third. 

The penalty for the win took Tulloch’s weight for the Melbourne Cup to 52.5kg and no 3yo had won with more than  50.5kg.  Despite protests from trainer TJ Smith EA Haley stood by his decision to withdraw Tulloch from the Melbourne Cup.  Tulloch won the VRC Derby by 8 lengths from Prince Darius  (who was later a close second to Straight Draw in the Melbourne Cup) before winning the CB Fisher Plate and travelling to Queensland to win the QTC Derby.  A spell followed and Tulloch resumed in the St George Stakes.  The fitter Prince Darius caused a huge upset relegating the champion to second before Tulloch lined up in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.  Prince Darius, Tulloch and Sailor’s Guide went stride for stride down the Flemington straight and on the post the margins were a nose by a nose in favour of Sailor’s Guide from Prince Darius with Tulloch third.  Despite being beaten by inches the fans had been disappointed by the defeat but soon Tulloch was back to his best.  He bolted home by 12 lengths in the VRC St Leger from Tuki with a further 20 lengths to Wool Man third then defeated Caranna in the Rawson Stakes.  Heading to Randwick nothing could challenge him as Tulloch reeled off victories in the Chipping Norton Stakes, AJC St Leger, All Aged Stakes and AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes. All was going well with huge offers knocked back for the horse and even plans to race in America but then it all went wrong.  Tulloch contracted a problem with his stomach and began scouring badly at one stage the ailment threatened his life.  Over the next two years which at four and five would have probably seen Tulloch in his prime several attempts were made to bring Tulloch back but the scouring returned every time he stepped up for serious work.  Finally with the help of Percy Sykes the problem was overcome and Tulloch returned to racing as a late 5yo nearly two years to the day from his last devastating race and win.  He lined up in the VRC Queen’s Plate against the weight for age champion Lord and this pair had an incredible duel up the Flemington straight.  As they went across the line together there was the tense wait for the photo.  The image showed Tulloch the victor by a nose with four lengths back to Mac in third place.  He then went to Sydney to win the Chipping Norton, AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes, AJC Autumn Stakes and the QTC PJ O’Shea Stakes in Brisbane.  Many stallions would have been retired to stud but Tulloch remained in training with the Melbourne Cup his aim.  First up he won the Chelmsford Stakes ut was then defeated by Valerius in the AJC Colin Stephen Stakes before again running second in the George Main Stakes.  At six it seemed that the stallion Tulloch losing concentration at times but then he returned to form winning the AJC Craven Plate from Persian Lyric and Valerius by 6 lengths.  Taken to Melbourne the connections of Dhaulagiri boasted their horse would break the race record in the Cox Plate.  Sky High charged along in front with Tulloch well back but in the straight Dhaulagiri went to the lead but Tulloch stormed home to win by half a length.  Both the first two home broke the record running an Australasian record for the distance.  Tulloch then defeated Lord in the Mackinnon Stakes and headed to the Melbourne Cup.  Carrying 64kg Tulloch settled well back and while he made ground in the run the huge weight dampened his acceleration and the champion finished 7^th the only unplaced run of his entire career.   Several day later he lined up in the weight for age CB Fisher Plate and won easily from Dhaulagiri with Persian Lyric third.  Tulloch went for a spell and resumed with a third in the St George Stakes before again running third in the VRC Queen’s Plate and VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes with Dhaulagiri and Lord taking turns in filling the first two placings.  Back in Sydney Perisan Lyric narrowly defeated Tulloch in the Telegraph Invitation Stakes before he won the ACJ Queen Elizabeth by four lengths from Nilarco and then won the AJC Autumn Stakes in race record time by six lengths from Nilarco.  Burdened with 63kg in the Sydney Cup Tulloch gave lightweight Sharply a head start in the straight and failed by ¾ of a length to run him down with jockey George Moore blaming himself for the defeat.  Tulloch was then second beaten a half head in the Caltex Quality before heading across to the Adelaide carnival.  In what was a mere exercise gallop for the champion Tulloch strode around Cheltenham to win the SJ Pullman Stakes by four lengths from Vice Master as SA race fans appreciated the chance to see the racing idol.  Tulloch then headed to Brisbane where he won the PJ O’Shea Stakes before heading to the Brisbane Cup.  Again he gave weight to but this time there was no head start as Tulloch went past Sharply in the straight to race away for an emotional victory by two lengths.  His retirement to stud was announced.  Tulloch was not a success at stud and died in June 1969. 

1969 was the year sensation hit the Caulfield Cup.  Big Philou was well fancied and had run well in the Caulfield Stakes earlier in the week.  Meanwhile the New Zealander Nausori had won twice during the Sydney spring carnival and headed to Caulfield with plenty of support.  Big Philou was in 7^th position passing the 1600m while Nausori was well back.  By the 800m a number of runners including Nausori ran on around the field ad Nausori was 6^th around the home turn with Big Philou close up nearer the rails.  Nausori hit the front in the straight but was wide out as Big Philou got the split near the rails.  Once in front Nausori was taken towards the rails but in doing so Big Philou was checked by the 200m.  In the final 100m Big Philou balanced and charged at Nausori but the NZer held on to win by a neck with Tobermory third.  On returning to scale a protest was lodged by Roy Higgins, rider of Big Philou, against the winner.  For the first time on raceday protest on the Cup announced as upheld with the only other result to be changed in 1893.    Big Philou went on to run second in the Mackinnon Stakes and was favourite with Tails for the Melbourne Cup.  Trainer Bart Cummings spoke glowingly about Big Philous chances in the Melbourne Cup early in the day but then one of the biggest sensations in Melbourne Cup history occurred only 30 minutes before the Cup was due to be run it was announced that Big Philou had been nobbled and was a late scratching.   

Bart Cummings produced the grey gelding Ming Dynasty in the mid 70s and this grey gelding was to write his name in the history of the Caulfield Cup.  As a 2yo he won the San Souci hcp from 6 races.  He returned to win first up at 3 before showing ability over the staying distances winning a Graduation Stakes over 2000m at his fourth run for the season.  A third in the Batman Hcp in Melbourne followed before he returned to Sydney to win the Forestville Hcp and December hcp before completing the hat trick in taking out the AJC Summer Cup over 2400m.  Ming Dynasty was then second in the Tatt’s Club Cup before a spell.  After winning the Tulloch Stakes the grey was third I the Australasian Champion Stakes before heading to the Brisbane carnival where he was third behind Surround in the Grand Prix Stakes.  Given a break he returned as a 4yo to run a first up fourth in the Liston Stakes before winning the Craiglee Stakes from Family of Man.  A 6^th in the Underwood Stakes followed then 5^th in the Turnbull Stakes before running 5^th in the Toorak.  Ming Dynasty then lined up in the 1977 Caulfield Cup.  A 9/1 chance he revelled at his second attempt over the 2400m and won easily by 1 ¼ lengths from Unaware with Salamander third.  A week later he backed up in the Cox Plate but was unplaced behind Family of Man and was 8^th behind Gold and Black, Reckless and Hyperno in the Melbourne Cup. 

In the Autumn Ming Dynasty won the Australian Cup before heading to Sydney to win the AJC Autumn Stakes before a 5^th in the Sydney Cup.  He finshed the autumn carnival with a win over Unaware in the AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes by 13 lengths on a heavy track.  Heading to Brisbane he was placed in his 6 starts including seconds in the PJ O’Shea Stakes and Brisbane cup and a third in the Doomben Cup.   

As a spring 5yo he won the Chelmsford Stakes was third to Marceau in the Hill Stakes and then took out the Craven Plate by over 3 lengths before just holding out Arwon in the Metropolitan conceding the future Melbourne Cup winner over 10 kg.  Heading to Melbourne Ming Dynasty ran third in the Caulfield Stakes before a 5^th behind Taksan and Arwon in the Caulfield Cup.  Ming Dynasty missed the rest of the season and returned with a second in Adelaide over 1000m carrying 60kg.  He then went to Melbourne for a close second in the Liston Stakes but then lost form under huge weights during the rest of the spring.  In the autumn after finishing behind the placegetters over the shorter distances Ming Dynasty was too good for Double Century winning his second Australian Cup.  After an unplaced run in Sydney he was spelled and returned as a 7yo returning to form with a second to Kingston Town in the Chelmsford Stakes.  Ming Dynasty then went to the Caulfield Cup where he had 58kg  and was sent out at 50-1 while Kingston Town carrying 60kg was the short priced favourite.  Ming Dynasty showed he could still mix it with the best as he recorded his second victory in the race from Hyperno with Kingston Town third.  Ming Dynasty had become the first horse since Rising Fast to win the race twice.  Ming Dynasty became a clerk of the course horse in Sydney for many years and died only last year. 

In 1983 Hayai added his name to the Cup winners list.  Hayai was bred in New Zealand by Skyhawk II from Poppa’s Girl.  He was purchased by J Lee for $10,000 for LF Walters and didn’t start racing until he was a spring 3yo.  On Melbourne Cup day 1982 Hayai debuted with a second in the Toparoa Hcp.  11 days later he ran second again but finished a lot closer indicating that his future might be as a stayer.  Sent out the favourite at his next start he was fourth and was given a spell.  Resuming he ran fourth beaten only half a length over an unsuitable short distance.  Two starts later over 1900m at Canterbury he won his first race and impressed connections enough to start in the Tulloch Stakes two weeks later.  Although finishing unplaced it was a blanket finish and he was less than a length from the winner Hermod.  Hayai then lined up in the AJC Derby but was no match for the champion Strawberry Road who won by over 5 lengths from Veloso with 16 lengths to Chiamare third as the brown colt ran on from the back to finish in 6^th place.  On a good track Hayai then won a handicap over 2800m before finishing 5^th back on a heavy track in the AJC St Leger.  He was then a close second in the Lord Mayor’s Cup before winning the STC Stayers Cup and then having a break to prepare for the spring.   

Unplaced at his first two starts for the spring Hayai was second in a Welter before heading to Newcastle where he went under narrowly to Chiamare in the Newcastle Cup.  Hayai was then second in the Queens Cup before lining up in a field of 20 in the Metropolitan Hcp.  After settling midfield Hayai ran on to  defeat Chiamare and Noble Heights.  He then went straight to Melbourne where it was an extremely wet track.  In the boggy conditions it was decided to go straight to the lead and Hayai ridden by Neville Vogt were too good for the opposition drawing away to win by 3 ½ lengths from Cossack Prince with La Cocotte third.  Unplaced in the Mackinnon Stakes Hayai then went into the Melbourne Cup but stripped a leg in the barriers as they jumped and finished 15^th.  Spelled until the autumn he was 4^th to Emancipation in the Apollo Stakes and a handful of starts later he was third in the Manion Cup before lining up in the Tancred (now the BMW) a week later.  Strawberry Road led until well into the straight but as his fitness ran out Hayai was flying down the outside grabbing the lead to go past the post in front from Trissaro and Beechcraft.  He was hen spelled after an unplaced effort in the Sydney Cup.  In the spring Hayai won the Chelmsford Stakes from the Bart Cummings pair Trissaro and Bounty Hawk before a second to Trissaro in the Hill Stakes.  Fifth over the 1600m to Inspired Hayai returned to winning form in the Craven Plate where he defeated Zephyr Tai.  Hayai was starting to gather a cult following for his game efforts and two days later lined up in the Metropolitan again.  Around the turn he was 7^th but charged home to win the race for the second year running.  Two unplaced efforts at Caulfield resulted in a spell.  In the autumn of 1985 Hayai took three starts to find his form but was then second in the Manion Cup.  A game second to Alibhai in the Tancred followed and then Hayai was third in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes to Rising Prince and Alibhai.  A spelled followed his 5^th in the Sydney Cup.  In the spring Hayai took a number of races to find his form but showed his preference for the longer distances with a second in the Kingston Town Stakes before winning the Craven Plate.  Trying for his third Metropolitan Hayai was fourth behind Spritely Native, Foxseal and Mr Mako before unplaced runs in the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.  The following autumn a second in an Open hcp before a spell.  He resumed as a 7yo but was retired after the Canberra Cup after failing to recapture his best form.  Hayai then went to stud but only served a handful of mares from 1988 to 1993.  In that time he sired Black Charmer a multiple winner who produced the winning Power from Port at stud, multiple winners Suntop Lass, General Trent, Don’t take Give, Hayai to Rome, Raising an Angel and Prince of Reason who won 8 races and 14 placings from 39 starts.  Hayai only produced 38 named foals from limited opportunity at stud.

As Hayai was being retired a 2yo made his debut in Tasmania.  Named Sydeston he was run off his feet in the early 900m scampers but found his feet in his second preparation in the autumn winning a 1200m event by four lengths.  Stepped up in class he was third in the 2yo Stakes before racing away in an Open Hcp.  After winning again he ran third in a Listed 2yo event and was spelled.  First up in November 1988 Sydeston won a 3yo Hcp before a second up 5^th.  Freshened he returned to winning when he bolted in over 1400m as the short priced favourite.  He was 3^rd of 17 in the Tasmanian Guineas before winning an Open hcp.  Taking on the older horses he was second in the Devonport Cup before again being runner up in the Tasmanian Derby.  Sydeston won a 2000m Welter and Tasmanian St Leger before it was decided to send him to Victoria for the spring staying races. 

Resuming he won a welter in wet ground before winning his next race at Caulfield by over two lengths.  Sydeston started his quest for the spring cups by running third in the Heatherlie Hcp and then was a close second in the Lord Mayor’s Plate.  He won an Open hcp before a game third behind Super Impose and Research in the Turnbull Stakes.  Unplaced in the Herbert Power hcp and Caulfield Cup Sydeston then won the Moonee Valley Cup before running 6^th in the Melbourne Cup.  As the other Cup runners spelled Sydeston stayed in training to win the Sandown Cup.  In the autumn he was third first up in the Futurity Stakes before being unplaced behind Vo Rogue and Better Loosen Up in the Australian Cup  Taken to Sydney Sydeston was second in the Rawson Stakes before winning the BMW where he defeated Lord Hybrow and Horlicks.  As favourite Sydestion then stormed home to defeat Better Loosen Up in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and was then a tired 4^th in the Sydney Cup.   

In the spring of 1990 Sydeston hit his best form.  He resumed with a win in the Liston Stakes as Better Loosen Up ran fourth.  A third to Zabeel in the Craiglee followed and then a fourth to The Phantom in the Underwood Stakes.  Lining up in a star studded field in the Caulfield Stakes Sydeston came from off the pace to win from Super Impose with Mickey’s Town third.  It was enough to see Sydeston sent out favourite for the Caulfield Cup.  Settling well back Sydeston made steady ground through the race to the front in the straight winning by nearly two lengths from Water Boatman with Shuzohra third.  A week later he backed up in the Melbourne Cup and if not meeting Better Loosen Up in the race would have scored a rare double but as it was he had to be content with second beaten less than a half length.  He was then unplaced in the Mackinnon in his fourth run in as many weeks before lining up in the Melbourne Cup three days later.  Under 58.5kg the task was beyond him and Sydeston finished well back before heading for a spell.  In the autumn he stormed home to win the St George Stakes from Savage Toss and Kingston Rule but was unable to recapture his best form.  In the spring he was second to Dr Grace in the Liston Stakes then third to Durbridge in the Craiglee Stakes.  Dr grace was again too good in the Underwood Stakes while Shaftesbury Avenue and Super Impose beat him to the post in the Caulfield Stakes.  While he was unplaced in the Caulfield Cup Sydeston backed up the following week to run third to Surfer’s Paradise and Super Impose in the Cox Plate.  He was spelled after a unplaced run in the Melbourne Cup.  Sydeston only had one run in the autumn when eased in the Futurity Stakes.  As a 7yo Sydeston returned in the spring and after two unplaced runs lined up in the 1992 Cox Plate.  As the field packed for the home turn Palace Reign fell when near the lead resulting in the favourite Naturalism and Sydeston both crashing to the turf.  All three horses were OK but Sydeston was out of racing until the following season.  In three runs as a 8yo Sydeston failed to find form and was retired with a record of 19 wins and 17 placings. 

In the Caulfield Cup of 1992 there was a sensation when Veandercross raced wide and was kept out there by jockey Shane Dye.  On straightening th favourite Veandercross was in front but the effort told in the final strides as the game mare Mannerism finished hard to take a narrow victory.  A year later Fraar caused another surprise.  Imported from the UK as a multiple winner Fraar started his local career with a second at Cheltenham.  Given a spell he returned to win the Coongy and later the Eclipse Stakes in 1992.  In the autumn he won the Chester Manifold Stakes before going to Hong Kong and running second to the New Zealand mare Romanee Conti.  His first four starts the following spring were not that inspiring and he went out as an outsider in the Caulfield Cup for trainer David Hayes.  In a interview before the race David Hayes said that he was more of a chance in the race than many thought and the horse did look extremely well behind the barriers.  In the race itself Fraar hit the front in the home straight to win from Air Seattle and The Phantom.  He was then second to The Phantom in the Mackinnon before finishing midfield in the Melbourne Cup.  In the autumn Fraar was a first up third in the Orr Stakes before losing form and retiring to stud. 

Standing at Lindsay Park and in recent years moving to Victoria Fraar has proved a versatile stallion.  His standout was Nina Haraka who won a number of 3yo stakes races and was expected to go on but for being injured when getting down in a float.  She eventually recovered and returned to racing but couldn’t recapture the 3yo form and is now at stud.  Fraar has also sired Prince Benbara and Fraar Magic both stakeswinning stayers that have found form in recent times over jumps while the Caulfield Cup winner has also produced stakeswinning 2yos such as Carlton Spirit and the flying Fraar’s Salome that won the first 2yo race this season.   

Doriemus had already attracted attention by the time he ran in the Caulfield Cup.  The winner of two of his three starts Doriemus came to Australia as a late 3yo to run at the Brisbane carnival.  After storming home by four lengths in a Restricted handicap he was spelled.  In the spring of 1994 he had four runs running 4^th first up then he won a Welter on Caulfield Cup day before taking out the Grey Smith Stakes at Flemington.  He was then third to Our Pompeii in the Sandown Cup in his final start that preparation.  Doriemus next appeared at the Brisbane winter carnival where he was a close second over 1350m in a Welter at Doomben before being unplaced in the BATC Sprint.  Second in a Listed event over 1600m and then Doriemus had another let up.  After unplaced runs in the Memsie and Underwood he was second in the Turnbull to All Our Mob before lining up in the Caulfield Cup.  In the race he proved he was a great stayer in the making in racing well clear in the straight to win from Count Chivas with Beaux Art third.  Unlike many other Melbourne Cup aspirants Doriemus was then sent straight into the Melbourne Cup without another run.  The time he excelled over the two miles winning by four lengths from Nothin Leica Dane with Vintage Crop third.   

In the autumn he had a limited preparation with unplaced runs in the Futurity and the Doncaster before winning the Queen Elizabeth Stakes from Juggler.  He then went to Brisbane to run second to Juggler in the Doomben Cup before a spell.  At his third start for the spring Doriemus  easily defeated Beaux Art and Cheviot in the Turnbull Stakes before running fourth in the Caulfield Cup and a hard finishing 6^th behind Saintly in the Melbourne Cup.  Doriemus was unplaced in his first two starts of the autumn before finishing a long last all but pulled up in the Australian Cup behind Octagonal and was found to have suffered a bleeding attack.  The long spell for the spring worked and Doriemus returned with a third in the Memsie and went into the Caulfield Cup conceding Might and Power 5 kg.  Might and Power led throughout to win in impressive style but Doriemus was doing his best work and finished second well ahead of the rest.  Into the Melbourne Cup and Might and Power again took up the front running roll as Doriemus settled near the rear of the huge field.  During the race as Might and Power strode along in front Doriemus slowly made ground and when clear in the home straight started to chase the lighter weighted horse.  Doriemus drew alongside Might and Power as they went to the post locked together.  Doriemus’ rider thought he had won but right on the post Might and Power got the bob in to win by a nose.  Returning in the autumn Doriemus didn’t find form until heading to Sydney where he ran third in the BMW behind Might and Power and Gold Guru  and then was second to Tie The Knot in the Sydney Cup.  In the spring Doriemus was second in the Metropolitan as favourite but was finding it hard to find his previous form  After a unplaced effort in the Melbourne Cup he was retired to his owners property in New Zealand. 

The finish of the 1998 Caulfield Cup caused a sensation as the outsider Taufan’s Melody won but caused severe interference to two mares in Champagne and Jezabeel.  A protest was lodged but placings remained the same as the UK horse won from Lisa’s Game with tie The Knot third.  Champagne later won the Mackinnon Stakes and in the Melbourne Cup Jezabeel and Champagne drew to the front together after getting clear runs.  In the run to the line Jezabeel defeated Champagne as Taufan’s Melody finished well back. 

In 1998 Sky Heights had run second in the VRC Derby and in the autumn he Rosehill Guineas and AJC Derby before taking on flying filly in front in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and fading to third behind Intergaze.  In the spring of 1999 he was second in the Liston Stakes before winning the Craiglee Stakes.  A second to Intergaze in the Underwood followed before he won the Turnbull Stakes in his final lead up to the Cualfield Cup.  Over the 2400m  at Caulfield Sky Heights was too good holding on to win from the fast finishing Laebeel and Inaflury.  A week later he backed up in the Cox Plate but ran into the champion Sunline and Tie The Knot have to be content with third place.  In the Melbourne Cup Sky Heights was well favoured but met with several bouts of interference which ended his chances of the double and was thought to be the cause of back problems that plagued his career.   Despite his problems Sky Heights returned the following spring to win the Caulfield Stakes in impressive style and was expected to trouble Sunline in the Cox Plate but as she raced to a remarkable victory Sky Heights finished well back and did no better in the Mackinnon the following week before being spelled. While he recorded to victories in the autumn Sky Heights still struggled to return to form.  The following spring he finally did find that form in the 2001 Caulfield Cup.  Star New Zealand mare had shown her staying ability in the QTC Oaks and was sent out well fancied for the Caulfield Cup.  Turning for home Ethereal and Sky Heights ranged up together and went stride for stride down the straight with the mare just grabbing the lead to win by a short half head.  The jockey of Sky Heights protested but it was dismissed.  Ethereal went on to win the Melbourne Cup before taking out the BMW in Sydney the following autumn.  Sky Heights was unplaced in he Melbourne Cup but took out the Sandown Cup before heading for a spell.  He returned the following springs but injury curtailed his preparation and he was all but retired.  Sky Heights has returned to the stables of Colin Alderson to ‘potter about’ due to being bored in the retirement paddock.  Whether he returns to the racetrack has not yet been decided.   

In 2000 the Rosehill Guineas winner Diatribe stormed home to win in race record time from Kaapstad Way and favourite Fairway who had made the scorching pace.  He backed up a week later to run second to Sunline in the Cox Plate.  While in 2002 Northerly sat just behind the pace before taking the lead turning for home.  Fields of Omagh made a late run from well back but Northerly had too much in reserve holding on to win narrowly.  The following week Northerly followed Sunline in the Cox Plate before taking the lead turning for home then holding out the late charge of Defier and Grandera to win his second Cox Plate.  After winning two of his 7 autumn race Northerly was expected to appreciate the return to spring as a 7yo but broke down with a tendon injury in July.  This left the big races to a new group of young stayers and many of the runners in this years field were the classic winners and placegetters of last season. 

FOOT NOTE:  In this years edition of the race promising stayer Mummify led all the way to defeat Grey Song with Distinctly Secret third.  The South Australian bred raised and sold Mummify was placed in AJC Derby before winning the Veuve Clicquot Stakes and SAJC Derby in Adelaide.  He returned this spring to win the Underwood  Stakes from Grey Song before running second to champion Lonhro in the Caulfield Stakes last week.      

© Cyberhorse 2024 Jenny Barnes Published 19/10/03