Team sweats on scratching
Wait on for cup call up
Connections of south west galloper Baughurst face another anxious 24 hours leading into the $2.5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m).
After narrowly missing a start in the 2008 Melbourne Cup, the hardy group performer is first emergency for to morrow’s feature at Caulfield.
Trainers Bill and Symon Wilde of Warrnambool, owners Ashley and Mandy King, Max Holmes, Maree Reeves, Greg Kelly and Mark Rowsthorn are sweating on a scratching from the 18 horse filed to earn a start.
The latest update from Racing Victoria director of racing operations Leigh Jordan contained no early withdrawals.
The wild wind and rain which lashed the southwest coast this week also appears to have dodged Caulfield, with a good track forecast for the cup meeting.
Maree Reeves, a retired Warrnambool Business-woman, is accustomed to waiting game after last year’s Melbourne Cup experience but isn’t finding it any easier.
“You’re on edge all week.”
In spit of the near misses, on and off the track, Reeves describes her racing experience as memorable.
Her first dabble as an owner was eight years ago with Tom Baillie and Frank Gleeson, racing modestly performed galloper Mr Sutton with local trainer Jocka Baillie.
Her second interest was in Badgers Wood, with the same owners who now race Baughurst.
Trained by Bill Wilde, Badgers Wood won a handful of metropolitan races and was crowned Australia’s most popular racehorse on a public vote.
“Just being there that (presentation) evening was amazing.” Reeves said.
Life would have been boring without it for the last eight years.
“The first time you’re at Flemington in the members Is just amazing.”
The Wilde’s have given their owners a handy plan B tomorrow by accepting with Baughurst in the group three David Jones Cup (2000m), a race he won last year.
Reeves said connections would meet for lunch in the city before catching a train to Caulfield.
“They’re great people to be involved with, the trainers and the owner.” She said.
Symon Wilde remains hopeful some of the rain squalls sweeping across western Victoria will find their way to Melbourne.
“I don’t suppose anyone is going to scratch otherwise,,” Wilde said yesterday.
“Our bloke is better on a firm surface anyway.”
Wilde is motivated to see Baughurst racing in group one company, regardless of his horror draw (21).
“Dropping back to a handicap I’d really like to see him get a start because I think he’s a sneaky place chance,” he said.
“He’s been beaten 1.8 lengths by the Cox Place favourite (Whobegotyou) and 1.5 lengths by the Melbourne Cup favourite (Efficient) at this last two starts.
“You just need that little bit of luck and we haven’t had it yet.”
After racing last Saturday at Caulfield in the group one Yalumba Stakes (2220m) Baughurst has been confined to beach work and visited the Wangoom training complex of Matthew Williams yesterday afternoon for water walking.
