The superlatives were flowing at Caulfield

Dunaden proved, beyond question, he is among the best stayers seen in at least a decade, with an outstanding performance in winning the Caulfield Cup, coming from near last at the 800 metres, with 58 kg, the same weight as Northerly carried a decade ago.

Touted as the best field in the modern era of the Caulfield Cup, the French bred stayer looked the real deal, with Americain, in the pre post parade.

Dunaden won the Melbourne Cup last year, then coming back to win the Caulfield Cup the same as View just a few short years ago.

The French bred stayer drew the absolute outside barrier, inside of him was the favourite, Glencadam Gold, who continued to shorten from his opening quote.

The Cup had been perfectly scripted, with Glencadam Gold beginning well as expected and being eased across the face of the field by Jim Cassidy towards the rails, while Craig Williams was content to allow Dunaden to find his feet at the rear of the field.

Voila Ici also began well settling down in second place, but no closer than a length and a half behind the favourite at any stage, Michael Rodd had December Draw well placed in the box seat, looking a big chance for most of the trip until the pressure was applied before the turn, he wilted from there on, failing to stay.

Dunaden about to claim Alcopop in the Caulfield Cup

Dunaden made a long searching run, that saw him circle the entire field to get a crack at the leaders, by this time Alcopop came down the centre of the track, he was being the hailed the winner until Dunaden appeared on the scene.

The Cup was a cleanly run race, there were no hard luck stories, every horse had its chance, the winner proved far too good for those that finished behind him in the Caulfield Cup, there would be no difference if they meet again in the Melbourne Cup, with the exception of Americain, he battled on well and Lights Of Heaven cannot be discarded entirely.

Whilst Dunaden is among the finest stayers seen in this part of the globe his winning strike is nothing out of the ordinary, 10 wins from 34 starts, certainly he has won the races that count.

In his defence much of his European racing has involved small fields, which are often run at a snail’s pace, with stop and go tactics, that doesn’t suit a genuine stayer of Dunaden’s calibre.

Dunaden is sure to receive a penalty now for the Melbourne Cup, which will be announced within a few days by handicapper Greg Carpenter; he is assured of the number one saddle cloth in the Cup on Tuesday fortnight.

Craig Williams with the Cup