Turnbull winner Lucia Valentina looks to add Caulfield Cup

Saturday's Group 1, A$3-million Caulfield Cup has attracted an eclectic field

of 20, but the complexion of the Melbourne Cup pointer has been affected by a

pair of withdrawals on veterinary grounds.

The globetrotting Dandino, beaten just over a length into second in last

year's running by Fawkner, reportedly worked well beneath would-be rider Craig

Williams Thursday morning at the Werribee quarantine center, but pulled up lame

in his off foreleg, according to Racing and Sports.

"He didn't pull up too good," trainer Marco Botti's travelling foreman Paul

Francis told AAP. "He wasn't 100 percent sound. Unfortunately it happens."

Gris Caro, winner two back of the Naturalism Stakes, was the intended mount

of Joao Moreira, but was also scratched by trainer Jake Stephens. The Brazilian

was offered the ride on Araldo, but reportedly declined to ride based on his

lack of familiarity with the racetrack. Williams has now been named by trainer

Mike Moroney.

Gai Waterhouse has also cast some doubt on the participation of The Offer,

while Japanese raider Bande will be the subject of a precautionary inspection

Friday morning.

Lucia Valentina retains antepost favoritism on the strength of her last-out

victory over Lidari in the Turnbull over the 2,000 meters at Flemington October

4. Winner of the Vinery Stud Stakes last April, she overcame easy ground to win

the September 6 Tramway first-up and was sixth to Cox Plate hope Sacred Falls in

the George Main September 20 prior to causing a minor upset in the Turnbull.

With the aforementioned defections, Brambles draws in from the emergencies

and has rounded into good form this season. Runner-up in an August 30 handicap

over this course, the six-year-old narrowly defeated Big Memory in a similar

event at Flemington September 13 and exits a third in the Turnbull, where he was

defeated a little more than a half-length for everything.

Japanese runners have left their mark on some of Australia's top staying

events, headed by the one-two finish of Delta Blues and Pop Rock, who were

separated by a short head in the 2006 Melbourne Cup. Bande is currently second

favorite behind Lucia Valentina, having won the Sapporo Nikkei first off a

four-month hiatus August 10. Previously third to Gold Ship and Admire Rakti in

the 15-furlong Hanshin Daishoten in March, the €140,000

Arqana August graduate will be ridden for the first time by Christophe-Patrice

Lemaire, should they receive the necessary clearance from the stewards Friday

morning.

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