The Caulfield Cup has long been recognised as among the hardest race on the calendar to win.

A good barrier and pace are an advantage in a capacity field of 18, with the short run to the first turn where the race can be won or lost so easily.

Champions can win the race against all the odds that is why they are recognised as champions.

Redcraze’s success in 1956 stands out above all others even in that same decade when the winners were Rising Fast twice and Tulloch.

It was the wettest Caulfield Cup on record, there was still water lying on the outside of the track at the 1600 metres.

There was a lot stacked against Redcraze, he drew an outside gate and with the steadier of 63kgs (9 stone 13), the highest winning weight on record.

Last out of the straight and last up until the 800 metres when jockey, Arthur Ward, set him alight.

Redcraze had the leaders covered at the top of the straight, he had to change course to avoid the riderless Better Boy, who dumped his rider, Norman Powell, at the start, it didn’t stop him winning by four lengths.

“He could be the best I have had, “declared trainer Mark Riley after his colt, Of The Brave, easily accounted for the opposition in the time honoured Inglis Debutant Stakes.

Of The Brave, a $170,000 yearling at the Magic Millions Sales, is likely to return to the Gold Coast for the Millions race that coincides with the yearling sales in January.

The colt drew the rails and made full of it, he was just shaded by Miss Idyllic in the early running, however, he gained control before the turn and that is where the procession commenced, he won going right away.

It was a big thrill for Riley; he has always had a good opinion of the colt that has met all the challenges to date on the way up, and looks to have a real future.

The colt will be off the scene for a while; he is currently enjoying a rest in the paddock, taking the heat off him before being prepared for the Magic Millions.

Testa Rossa was the last Victorian trained horse to win the Magic Millions, Of The Brave has the credentials and the ability to emulate him.

Of The Brave, is by Starspanglebanner, a talented racehorse who has had a checked career since going to stud at Coolmore, in Ireland, he then when to Coolmore Aust. before coming to Rosemont Stud near Geelong.

He has had just the 14 runners in the U K for seven winners, including a Group1, his oldest progeny here are two year olds.

Of The Brave - A winner for Mark Riley

There was a touch of nostalgia at Caulfield on Saturday when Earthquake, and Rubick, ran in separate races and each was successful.

Memories flooded back nine months ago to the Blue Diamond Stakes when the contentious issue was raised, can a good colt beat a good filly?

Both met in that Blue Diamond Stakes, a promoters dream had been answered, even Tex Rickard would have approved.

Earthquake and Rubick went into the race with opinions divided, each had won their respective Preludes, both camps were confident.

History will show the good filly, Earthquake, won the Blue Diamond, after showing his customary pace Rubick finished fourth; a lot of opinions were settled.

Earthquake returned to her favourite stamping ground, Caulfield, on Saturday, after shaking   off Tawteen in the straight she went to the line well since running three successive placings in Sydney.

Trainer, John O’Shea, blamed heavy tracks for her recent defeats; she was on top of the ground in the Thoroughbred Club Stakes, that made all the difference.

O’Shea believes the filly will peak during the next month and the Manikato Stakes would not be beyond her.

Earthquake

Rubick turned on the speed that he is noted for, making a one act affair of the Schillaci Stakes after leading all the way.

He bounced out of the inside gate and was never in bother thereafter, last year’s Golden Slipper Stakes winner, Overreach, attempted to go with him, however, he had her covered at every stage of the race.

It could be questioned whether she should be racing after sustaining an injury, she is a valuable filly and you can take the pitcher to the well once too often.

Rubick has furnished into a magnificent colt, he was the pick of the paddock, he is possibly now the most exciting son of Encosta de Lago likely to go to stud after the demise of Northern Meteor

Rubick returns to scale.

Fawkner galloped his way into favouritism for the Cox Plate after his win in the weight for age Caulfield Stakes.

He is going to be the horse to beat, he goes into the race with a near perfect form line, the weight for age find of the spring.

The visitors will know he is there to defend his own slice of turf, he will give no quarter and won’t expect one either.

He appeals as the ideal horse for the 2040 metres assignment, he is an on pace horse with an explosive turn of foot, if it comes down to a dogfight that will suit him, he seldom gives in, he is a real fighter.

A number of horses are beginning to fall off the radar, Dissident bled, while Happy Trails made up a bit of ground he is not racing with the same zest as he did last year, and you rarely get a second chance in big races.

Criterion came home well in the Caulfield Stakes passing six horses in the straight, but has never been thought of as a weight for age performer.

Sacred Falls could have been the best run in the race outside of the winner, he is capable of running a good race, he was finishing on well at the business end of the Caulfield Stakes.

Finally, with the Caulfield Cup just two weeks away, there is now a genuine favourite in the form of Lucia Valentina, at the head of affairs after racing at Flemington on Saturday.

There are no pretenders leading into the race now, Lucia Valentina, she is the real deal as was shown in winning the weight for age Turnbull Stakes.

Lucia Valentina is a worthy favourite at present, and that is not likely to change as the Caulfield Cup draws closer.

The mare had some issues leading into the race due to a hoof injury; she had not galloped fast since Tuesday.

Lucia Valentina is weighted at 51kg against 53.5 kg she carried in the Turnbull, she is well in at the weights and cannot be penalised.

Lidari and Brambles, out of the Peter Moody yard, filled the placings, but neither are assured of a start, Lidari is equal 37 in order of entry, while Brambles was 65 in order of entry, however, after Saturday’s racing he is now equal 38 in order of entry.

The placings were the positives out of Saturday’s weight for age contest, it is hard to make a case for any of the others except for Shoreham, he was well out of his class yet came from last to finish seventh, he would be a chance in a provincial Cup this time in.

Lucia Valentina now Caulfield Cup favourite

Kris Lees is to stranger to Melbourne, he won the Oaks with Samantha Miss in 2008, he took up training at Broadmeadow, (Newcastle), after the death of his father, Max, who prepared the champion two year old, Luskin Star.

Kris Lees and Kerrin McEvoy looking pleased with themselves

Penalties were announced at lunchtime for the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup.

Junoob 1.5 kg now, 53.5 kg Caulfield Cup ---- 1.5 kg now, 55.5 Melbourne

Who Shot Thebarman 1.5 kg now, 53 kg Caulfield Cup ---- 0.5 kg now, 55 kg Melbourne Cup.

He’s Your Man 1.5 kg now 52.5, Caulfield Cup ----1.5 kg now, 54.5 Melbourne Cup.