Ray Dawson, set to ride Enfjaar in the Caulfield Cup, has arrived in Australia for his first experience of the prestigious race and his first visit Down Under. Despite the lengthy flight from England to Melbourne, the 33-year-old jockey quickly made his way to Werribee to see the $11 chance.
Landing early Wednesday morning, Dawson reunited with Enfjaar within hours, observing the horse’s morning track gallop. ‘I’m tired and it is a bit colder than I thought it would be, but I am excited and I’ve just seen Enfjaar and he looks really well and ready and set for Saturday,’ Dawson commented.
He further described the horse’s demeanor, noting, ‘I just said to (the team) that he is very relaxed. He can have days at home where he is a bit irate and he wears a hood galloping and he wore a hood at Goodwood to keep the noise levels down but he seems really relaxed over there. There’s not a problem on him.’ Dawson acknowledged that Enfjaar can be ‘a bit highly strung and that is in his character,’ but hopes this relaxed state will persist on race day.
The draw of barrier one has also boosted Dawson’s confidence. He is unfazed by the initial rush towards the first bend, having received advice from James McDonald. ‘I was happy to see him draw one and that makes life a little bit easier. Hopefully we get a clear run,’ he stated.
Analysing the Caulfield track, Dawson observed, ‘I’ve watched a lot of replays and they seem to go quite quick to the bend and steady up. I’ve watched the last ten years of replays and it seems that you need to have a good horse but also luck.’ He anticipates a unique experience for Enfjaar, who may not have encountered such a track before, but remains optimistic. ‘It will be different for Enfjaar as he’s probably never experienced track like it but it is a horse race and I’m well used to it. We’ll go on there with a bit of confidence and hopefully get a bit of luck on the way around.’
Dawson also noted the horse’s improvement this year, stating, ‘He has got a lot better this year. Even at Goodwood he was a lot better in the parade and the way around.’ The combination of Dawson and Enfjaar previously secured a win in the Group 3 Glorious Stakes (2414m) at Goodwood in June, a performance that set the stage for this Melbourne campaign, which Dawson deemed an obvious choice.
Dawson is scheduled to guide the Roger Varian-trained six-year-old gelding through his final significant workout on Thursday morning. This final preparation will be crucial before the colt contests the major 2400-metre event at Caulfield.
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