News

Mongolian Khan On Track For Cups: Baker

7th Oct 2015

Breeding And Racing - Thursday, 8th October 2015

New Zealand trainer Murray Baker has provided an update on the progress of dual Derby winner Mongolian Khan ahead of his next start in Saturday's Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield.

The reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year will use Saturday's 2000m feature as his final prep race for the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on 17 October.

Mongolian Khan has performed very well in his two starts this campaign, namely in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (7th) over 1600m and the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (4th) over 1800m, and Baker says he only continues to improve.

"He's right on target [for the Caulfield Cup]. We are very happy with him. He's working well," Baker told Melbourne's Radio Sport National yesterday.

"2000 metres will suit him better than 1800m [in the Underwood] but he slipped at the start the other day and pulled a plate off and he was probably 2-3 lengths further back than we would have liked."

He added: "But I think he is improving all the time. He looks good and hopefully he'll be right for the Caulfield Cup."

Baker confirmed that Mongolian Khan's primary spring target is the Melbourne Cup (3200m) on 3 November.

"We think he will get the two miles but you never know. He gets 2400m okay but he has to find another 800m," he said.

"Some of them don't get it but the owner certainly wants him to run in the Melbourne Cup."