Clash Of Cup Titans

Tomorrow’s G1 Australian Cup, one of the top weight-for-age contests in the country, sees the rematch of last year’s G1 Melbourne Cup one-two, Protectionist (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) and Red Cadeaux (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}). Protectionist made up some ground after at last finding daylight when sixth in the too-short 1800 meter G2 Peter Young S. on seasonal debut two weeks ago behind Mourinho (Aus) (Oratorio {Ire}). He won the Melbourne Cup second-up last season and should be more effective at the distance than Red Cadeaux, who has never won below 2400 meters. That 9-year-old gelding should never be discounted, however, and he returns to a track he loves, having finished second in the Melbourne Cup three times. Red Cadeaux was last seen finishing sixth in the G1 Hong Kong Vase in December. Unlike his more famed counterparts, Mourinho has excelled at shorter distances. He was a fast-finishing third in the G1 C F Orr S. over 1400 meters to kick off his campaign Feb. 14, and despite hitting the lead in early stretch and drifting late, held off Happy Trails (Aus) (Good Journey {Aus}) to earn the spoils. While the 7-year-old gelding showed signs of stamina shortage on that occasion, he is proven over the distance, having won at 2025 meters and as high as 2200 meters. Happy Trails has been one of the more consistent Group 1 gallopers in recent seasons in Australia. He is a three-time Group 1 winner, and two of those top-level scores have come over this course and distance–the 2013 Turnbull S., and last season’s Mackinnon S. Happy Trails was sixth in the C F Orr prior to his runner-up Peter Young effort, and is the likely choice to upset the big names here. Another evergreen gelding, the 8-year-old Foreteller (GB) (Dansili {GB}), also stakes claims. Third in this last year, Foreteller earned his third Group 1 in the G1 Underwood S. over 1800 meters at Caulfield in September. He has two runs under his belt this campaign–a ninth, beaten four lengths, in the G2 Apollo S. and a sixth, beaten two lengths, in the G1 Chipping Norton S., both in Sydney.