Kiwi syndicators in the Caulfield Cup
New Zealand-based syndicators Go Racing realised a dream on Tuesday when Soul of Spain secured his place in Saturday’s A$6.545 million Gr.1 Sportsbet Caulfield Cup (2400m).
It will be the first time their silks are carried in the prestigious staying race, further validating their global strategy of racehorse ownership.
“It’s very exciting times for us and our owners,” Go Racing’s Matt Allnutt said. “To have a runner in the Caulfield Cup is an absolute dream and it proves that our plan works.
“We have been buying horses in the UK and Europe to race there as young horses under the care of Joseph O’Brien before transferring them down to Chris Waller to target the lucrative prizemoney on offer in Australia.
“It’s a really exciting opportunity for our clients to experience the best of both hemispheres as racehorse owners.
“We’ve had plenty of success doing this already with Alward, Etna Rosso and Skyman to name a few, but having a runner in the Caulfield Cup is probably the pinnacle so far.
“Not only is it an extremely hard race to win, but it’s also tough to get a horse into the field and it will certainly be a very proud moment seeing the Go Racing colours in the Caulfield Cup on Saturday”.
Go Racing purchased Soul of Spain in partnership with Blandford Bloodstock’s Stuart Boman for €160,000 at the 2023 Arqana Breeze Up Sale in France.
From eight starts in Ireland, he placed on five occasions and won over 3299m at Thurles in October 2024.
Since joining Waller, he has put together a handy record, he won four races in a row last year culminating with the Gr.3 Newcastle gold Cup (2300m) and his total number of placings is now 11, from 25 starts and he has earned over A$1 million for connections.
Now six-years-old, Soul Of Spain comes into Saturday’s Group One feature having finished third in the Gr.3 Super Dry Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) two starts ago, and seventh in the Gr.2 Asahi Super Dry Metropolitan (2400m) last start.
The son of Phoenix Of Spain has drawn barrier 13 of 15 for Saturday’s main event, and he will be ridden by Tyler Schiller.
“He’s a solid each-way chance,” Allnutt said. “It’s a competitive race every year and sometimes it just comes down to the horse that’s in great condition, gets a nice economical run and is presented at the right time.
“The blinkers go on, Chris and his team have been happy with his recent work and if there is solid speed in the race and if the breaks go his way, he is capable of fighting out the finish.
“Caulfield can be a bit of a tricky track, but he worked nicely there earlier in the week, handled the corners well and his recovery was good.”
Soul of Spain is raced by a group of New Zealand and Australian-based owners, who will be out in force at Caulfield on Saturday.
“Hospitality has been organised for them, I know they will have a terrific day regardless of the result and Go Racing’s representative Richard Lloyd will ensure they are well looked after.
“It’s a bucket list event for a lot of owners involved with Soul Of Spain and after a slightly nervous wait to see if he would make the field or not, the excitement is really starting to build now.
“He is at long odds and will need luck from the draw, however Chris Waller is an absolute master trainer, and Tyler Schiller is in good form having ridden three winners at Rosehill last Saturday.”
Soul Of Spain is also one of three runners that Go Racing have nominated for this year’s Gr.1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m), alongside international raider Omni Man and Kiwi mare Manzor Blue.