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International ratings suggest the imported raiders are poised to build on their imposing Caulfield Cup record this weekend.
While Jameka looks a clear standout of the locals after a cavalier Naturalism win and sound second to Hartnell in the Turnbull Stakes, Timeform figures point to her needing to reach a new peak if she's to beat the invaders on Saturday.
Imports have won four Caulfield Cups in the past 18 years and delivered another four minor placings – a handy strike rate given their reasonably small representation.
Curiously, the market place has mostly got the imports wrong, with Taufan's Melody ($67), All The Good ($41), Dunaden ($13) and Admire Rakti ($11) all starting at juicy odds.
Price assessors are more cautious this year, with Scottish, Articus, Sir Isaac Newton and Exospheric pushing for second favouritism behind Jameka.
Timeform's Australian compiler Gary Crispe said Scottish and Sir Isaac Newton bring the best recent weight adjusted ratings into the race.
"It's a pretty weak year locally," Crispe said.
"With the internationals, you are looking at horses that have run fourth and fifth in top class European races like the Juddmonte and King George. That's hot form for a Caulfield Cup, especially one that looks low on quality this year.
"Jameka would be a 100-1 chance in a King George, so I have no doubt the imported horses are comfortably good enough."
Scottish has been left to carry the hopes of Godolphin, stepping into the vacancy left by Hartnell, who has been saved for next week's Cox Plate.
"His ratings this year make him the top pick in the race. He ran very well behind the world class Highland Reel last year at three and he's gone on with the job this season," Crispe said. If he's near his peak for this, he's very hard to beat."
Whiz trainer Aidan O'Brien has landed Sir Isaac Newton in the race with a winnable weight.
He arrives with a last start "0" next to his name, but Crispe said the run can be forgiven.
"That was the Irish Champion Stakes, which is close to the hottest Group 1 race in the world this year and I think it will be best just to overlook that all together," he said.
"A better guide is his fourth placings in both the Juddmonte and King George behind the best horses in Europe.
"Exospheric has similar form to Sir Isaac Newton, but he has been up a long time and I feel the other one probably has the more improvement."
Crispe said Articus is yet to reach the required level, but was loathe to rule him out
"He's only lightly raced and he's now joined the astute stable of Andreas Wohler, so I would expect him to improve," he said.
Online article taken from the news.com.au.