Bumper nominations for Rockhampton’s Caulfield Cup day meeting

Rockhampton’s Caulfield Cup day meeting is set to be boosted by a number of nominations from Queensland’s current leading trainer Ben Currie and Group 1 winner Natalie McCall. Arena Salon and Captain Leo have been put forward for the Open Handicap while the duo have a number in other races throughout the day.

Punters will be looking to capitalize on the metropolitan class come Saturday, with the southerners typically dominant throughout the 2-day carnival back in July, in fact 10 of the 16 races taken out by South-East based trainers. McCall’s Beat The Beast was a dominant 10.25 length winner before she finished runner up in the Rockhampton Cup with Colour Charge, while Ben Currie recorded victories with Solar Lady, Pure Pulse and Shakira over the 2 days.

Both trainers will have leading chances in each race should they accept, particularly McCall’s Arena Salon who was a big winner in BM70 company at Doomben back in July. The Sunshine Coast-based trainer has also nominated Sicario in the Class 2, Angel Of War In The Maiden Handicap and Sneaky Lover, Tru Blu Tango and Viserion in the QTIS 3-Years-Old Maiden Handicap.

Gun Toowoomba trainer Ben Currie will be looking for a 100% strike rate with just the 2 nominations including The Showman in the Carly-Mae Pye Memorial Class 1 Handicap and Captain Leo in the feature event. Currie has already 32 wins to his name in season 2017/18, 12 clear of champion Tony Gollan. He has a phenomenal strike rate of 22.4%, and in the money almost 50% of the time.

Veteran galloper and crowd-favourite Craiglea Wandoo has also been nominated in the feature event that also attracted big names Friendly Dragon and Heartbreak Harry.