Maher than likely: The horse we expect to win the Caulfield Cup

Perth businessman Bob Peters is the biggest owner in Western Australian racing, but chose a small-time Victorian trainer to prepare his star Cosmic Crusader leading into this spring.

So far Andrea Leek, who trains on the rolling hills of her Nar Nar Goon North property, has got it right, winning three from five with the six-year-old gelding and rocketing into Caulfield Cup favouritism.

She is the David in the fight against racing’s Goliaths, taking on Australian mega trainers Chris Waller (three runners) and Ciaron Maher (five runners), as well as the international raiders.

The Age dissects the Caulfield Cup field to rate the leading chances:

Race 9: $6m Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), starting time 5.15pm

The favourite: Cosmic Crusader has been one of the surprise packets of the spring, smashing his Turnbull Stakes (2000m) rivals in the wet. That is the best lead-up form. Drops to 56kg, but wide draw a worry and distance a slight query.

The threats: Forgive Zahrann’s paddling performance in the wet - 11th in the Turnbull Stakes – and go on previous top-line form and gun jockey Ethan Brown. Defending champ Half Yours (59kg) will carry an extra 5kg on last year’s win and a new jockey – Mark Zahra – after Jamie Melham opted to ride in The Everest. This race has been kind to top weights, so a successful title defence is on the cards. The UK raiders – Wine Dark Sea, Enfjaar and Starford – look formidable, but I’m wary of internationals first-up in Australia.

The roughies: Chris Waller’s Ohope Wins is set to peak, don’t underestimate Gavin Bedggood’s Kingswood which will be rock-hard fit and Royal Supremacy (Maher) ran sixth last year but is in better form this year.

Caulfield Cup tips: 1st Zahrann (No.16), 2nd Cosmic Crusader (No.2), 3rd Half Yours (No.1), 4th Royal Supremacy (No.9)

Russell says: It’s an open Cup. But in a handicap race, look for weight, draw and lead-up form. Zahrann ticks the boxes. Cosmic Crusader has superior lead-up form, but concerned by the wide gate – barrier 17.

Caulfield Cup trifecta: 1, 2, 16/ 1, 2, 16, 9/ 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 10, 16, 17,

Best bets: Private Eye (Race 6, No.1) looks better than his rivals. De Armas (Race 7, No.4) brings strong Sydney credentials.

Cup day quaddie: 1st leg: 4. 2nd leg: 3, 5, 6, 12. 3rd leg: 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 10, 16, 17. 4th leg: 3, 4, 6, 12.

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