Despite having to deal with the disappointment of Nature Strip losing out in the Everest, trainer Chris Waller has a top contender to look forward to in the Melbourne Cup after Durston claimed victory at Caulfield.
Durston only got into the Caulfield Cup after Maximal dropped out. He made the most of it though, scoring by a head to set up his Melbourne Cup bid.
Another Penalty for Durston Ahead of Flemington
The Caulfield Cup winner has been penalised another 2kg after winning on Saturday.
David Hegan, head of handicapping at Racing Victoria, announced the penalty on Monday. It takes Durston’s weight to 53.5kg in the Cup. He carried 51.5kg to a narrow victory at Caulfield.
This penalty is the second delved out to Durston already. He was landed with a 1.5kg penalty for the Melbourne Cup back in September after scoring in the Newcastle Cup.
While acknowledging that Durston only won the Caulfield Cup by a neck off bottom weight, beating the topweight in the process, handicapper Hegan has been at pains to explain why this penalty was deemed necessary.
Hegan explained that Durston’s overall profile is impressive. He mentioned that he managed to overcome trouble in running on Saturday and not for the first time.
His latest 2kg penalty is higher than those handed to previous Caulfield Cup winners. That being said, each of those horses were higher in the weight scale when winning. As of now, Durston is still some 6kg below the benchmark for weight-for-age and could still be well handicapped for the Cup.
Highclere Left Dreaming of Rare Melbourne Cup win
Durston’s owners, Highclere, are now dreaming of what would be a great success at Flemington.
This horse has been a real flag bearer in the southern hemisphere for the ownership. Founder Harry Herbert talks incredibly highly of the son of Sea The Moon and thinks he’s a rare type.
It’s already been a great year for the syndicate in Europe, their filly Cachet having won the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket back in May for trainer George Boughey.
Caulfield Cup Marks Another Big Victory for Breeder Rausing
Durston has proven to be a huge victory for Chris Waller, for jockey Michael Dee, the ownership as mentioned but also for breeder Kirsten Rausing who is having a magnificent 2022.
The norther hemisphere six-year-old is by Rausing’s Lanwades Stud stallion Sea The Moon. He is out of the Hernando mare Caribana and is a half-brother to plenty of good staying winners.
Rausing has had some wonderful times this year. She’s had top winners in her own colours, and also others with horses she’s bred including now Durston.
In the last few weeks alone, she saw her mare Alpinista win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Before that, the stud’s Eldar Eldarov took the St Leger at Doncaster.
Now, the popular breeder/owner has a Caulfield Cup winner. Could she yet breed a Melbourne Cup champion too?
Read more news about the Melbourne Cup.
