Arculli's NZ star aiming for Vase
A horse part-owned by former Jockey Club chairman Ronald Arculli is rated a big chance in Saturday's Group One Caulfield Cup in Melbourne, with a strong performance likely to secure an invitation to this year's Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase.
Red Ruler, prepared by John Sargent in New Zealand, has already finished second in two Group One races this year, and the Caulfield Cup, a handicap at 2,400 metres, gives the Viking Ruler gelding a super chance of a breakthrough at the top level.
There is one overriding proviso from Sargent - he wants Melbourne's run of weather to continue through to the weekend.
'That's my worst fear, a wet track,' Sargent said. 'Everything else is falling into place nicely.'
Red Ruler ran a slashing second to another New Zealand-based galloper, Nom du Jour, in the AJC Australian Derby at Randwick on April 26, and at his most recent start he was second to New Zealand's top horse, Princess Coup, in the richest race, the Kelt Capital Stakes over 2,000m in Hawkes Bay.
The Derby form looks exceptional as the third horse in that race, Littorio, is favourite for both the Caulfield Cup and the A$5 million Emirates Melbourne Cup 17 days later.
