UK trainer Harry Charlton wasted no time inspecting his Caulfield Cup charge, Wine Dark Sea, upon its arrival in Australia, heading straight to Werribee.
Wine Dark Sea will be Charlton’s first runner in Australia, though he has relied on advice from his brother Tom, who co-trains with John O’Shea in Sydney.
With Wine Dark Sea competing in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday and having not seen the stayer since it left the UK over two weeks ago, Charlton was pleased with what he observed at Werribee racecourse on Friday, where the stayer has been prepared for the race.
“I just landed this morning, and he looks in great shape,” Charlton stated. “He’s still got his summer coat, which is not easy to achieve. I see a few of Joseph’s (O’Brien) came down yesterday and had been clipped. Alex (his groom) has done a great job with him. He’s been coming back late at night to change his rugs over and keep him warm.”
This marks Charlton’s first trip to Australia, and he mentioned that if Wine Dark Sea were to win on Saturday, it would be particularly special.
“I didn’t know it was the 150th year before coming down, so that makes it even more special,” Charlton commented. “I’m pleased to be here, and I’m pleased the horse has made it through all the processes to be here and in the field. He’s facing a big field and a wide draw, but that’s part and parcel of Australian racing.”
Wine Dark Sea is set to jump from barrier 16 if no emergencies are scratched. While not ideal, Charlton indicated it is preferable to drawing near the rails.
Additionally, Wine Dark Sea will need to contend with the Caulfield track and its turning nature, something the stayer is not accustomed to in the UK.
Damian Lane, who won the Caulfield Cup on Mer De Glace in 2019, has secured the ride on Wine Dark Sea and has visited Werribee to familiarize himself with the gelding.
“I think I would rather be drawn wider than in the bottom four, but then I would rather be between six and 12 than 12 and 18,” Charlton shared. “It’s possibly not ideal but the good news is, he is a horse that is here for two races. He races over a mile six (2800m) at home, so the Melbourne Cup is also something that we are looking forward to. If the draw beats us tomorrow, hopefully it leaves us in good stead for the Melbourne Cup, and he gets a better draw that day. Damian does not seem particularly worried by it. He’s a horse that does jump well from the gate and reacts nicely when you ask him. Running that 2400 (metres) from that wide draw will bring a little bit more speed into it and the tracks here are much tighter and they turn a lot more, but I am encouraged by how Damian said he handled the track at Werribee. I thought Werribee would be a bit tight for him. It is not the way we train horses, turning every two furlongs, but he said he changed his lead at every bend, so that gives me a bit more confidence.”
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