UK trainer Harry Charlton wasted no time inspecting his Caulfield Cup contender, Wine Dark Sea, upon their arrival in Australia, heading straight to Werribee.
Wine Dark Sea marks Charlton’s inaugural runner in Australia, though he has sought guidance from his brother Tom, who trains alongside John O’Shea in Sydney.
With Wine Dark Sea slated to compete in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday and having not seen the stayer since its departure from the UK over two weeks ago, Charlton expressed satisfaction with its condition at Werribee racecourse on Friday, where the horse has been prepared.
“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 is Charlton’s first visit to Australia, and he remarked that a victory for Wine Dark Sea on Saturday would be particularly meaningful.
“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 scheduled to start from barrier 16, assuming no emergencies gain entry. While not optimal, Charlton indicated it is preferable to an inside draw.
The gelding will also need to contend with the Caulfield track’s turning nature, a characteristic unfamiliar to the stayer from its UK racing background.
Damian Lane, who secured the Caulfield Cup aboard Mer De Glace in 2019, will partner Wine Dark Sea and has visited Werribee to familiarize himself with the horse.
“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 noted. “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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