2015 Caulfield Cup favourite Mongolian Khan wins

Dual Derby winner Mongolian Khan scores tough win in the Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield today.

Mongolian Khan scores a clear cut win over Trip To Paris in the Caulfield Cup at Caufield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Monglolian Khan was sent out the $5 favourite and was able to hold off English stayer Trip To Paris ($31) by half a length with Our Ivanhowe ($26) putting in a great run to finish third a further one a quarter lengths away.

Top Kiwi jockey Opie Bosson rode the race of his life to score his biggest win in his illustrious career in the saddle which included wins on Mongolian Khan in the Group 1 NZ$750,000 TV3 NZ Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie in February and in the Group 1 $2m BMW Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick during the Sydney Autumn Carnival.

Bosson settled Mongolian Khan just behind the leading bunch in sixth position and gave the Holy Roman Emperor a perfect run before making his move coming to the home turn.

Third placegetter Our Ivanhowe with Ben Melham in the saddle went with Mongolian Khan on the point of the corner as they made their runs together but the Murray Baker trained four year old always looked to have the upper hand.

Runner up Trip To Paris was back worst than midfield for the majority of the race but Tommy Berry was able to weave a passage through the ruck and make up ground on the winner close to the line.

Australian Oaks winner Gust Of Wind ($21) also ran on well for fourth and the first four placegetters will meet again in the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on the first Tuesday in November.

Winning trainer Murray Baker was full of praise for Opie Bosson’s ride who gave Mongolian Khan a trouble free run.

“He rode him a treat, he went for home and made it a real staying test and he just kept kicking,” the winning Kiwi trainer said.

“He has got a beautiful relaxed temperament when you ride him and he is horse that I think just enjoys being a racehorse.”

“Fortunately we have had no soundness issues. He has done everythng we have asked him, the plan has been right. He has had a couple of looks at Caulfield here.”

“We planned it out last May and fortunately to has come together.”

“We think he is more of a Melbourne Cup horse, whether they run that extra 800m. I think he can.”

International runners Snow Sky ($9) from England and Fame Game ($10) from Japan finished in fifth and sixth positions and connections should be happy with their runs as they head towards the Melbourne Cup.

The well fancied Rising Romance was given a good run just behind the leading half a dozen by Damian Lane but found it tough going in the straight to finish thirteenth

Glen Boss decided to go forward on the Chris Waller trained Royal Descent ($16) from the outside alley but was caught three wide for the majority of the race and faded to finish last.

Caulfield Cup Results