3 minute read
It's interesting to see the early careers of several of the contestants in this year's Cup.
Kalepour comes from the Aga Khan's studs and started off with Michael Halford in Ireland before being transferred to Kris Lees in 2023.
Buckeroo was originally with Joseph O'Brien and was moved to Chris Waller at the end of 2023 and did well in Ireland and seems to be coming to grips with his new home now.
Circle of Fire was bred by the late Queen Elizabeth and started off with Sir Michael Stoute and came to Australia at the end of the 2023 season. He's ow with Ciaron Maher and may need more time here.
Huetor is by Archipenko (whose win in Hong Kong was memorable for many reasons) and was originally with Carlos Laffon Parias I France then came to the Snowdens in April 2022.
Eliyass is another product of the Aga Khan's studs who was with J-C Rouget in France until late September 2023 and now is with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
Land Legend is a Galileo who was with James Ferguson until end of 2023 season and now is with Chris Waller. Zac Purton is being brought down from Hong Kong for the ride.
Duke de Sesso was with Dermot Weld who knows what is needed in a horse to win in Australia so the horse went to Maher at the end of the 2022 season.
Muramesa is interesting is he's the product of an Arrowfield mare who went to Japan to liaise with Deep Impact.
Coco Sun was with John Quinn in England and came first to Michael Kent but has now gone to the Freedmans and Karis Teetan is coming from Hong Kong to ride.
Valiant King was also with Joseph O'Brien and was transferred to Chris Waller at the end of 2023.
Sayedaty Sadaty was originally with Andrew Balding then briefly to David Simcock and this will be his first start for Ciaron Maher and his first start in Australia so prefer to watch.
Fancy Man was with Richard Hannan originally and then sent here to Annabelle Neasham at the end of 2022.
Japanese raider Warp Speed is by Drefong out of a Deep Impact mare who has had a few lengthy gaps in his career which generally mean some type of injury so he has only had 7 starts to date and won 1. His latest outing in Japan was in the Tenno Sho Spring where he was 5th. Looks like he would need longer than this and Caulfield may not suit.
