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Johannes Vermeer ready for business in Caulfield Cup
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
By Racinguk.com staff
Connections of Johannes Vermeer are convinced the colt's brisk turn of foot from the starting stalls can get him out of any potential trouble in the BMW Caulfield Cup on Saturday.
Aidan O'Brien's four-year-old is a top-priced 9-2 favourite with Boylesports for the Group One over a mile and a half after he got to within a head of Gailo Chop in the Caulfield Stakes last weekend.
If successful, Johannes Vermeer would give O'Brien a record-equalling 25th Group One success of the year.
Johannes Vermeer faces 16 rivals in what is always a feisty encounter and will break from stall two under Ben Melham.
When asked if the big field would be a hindrance, O'Brien's assistant TJ Comerford told the Herald Sun: "Not at all because he's actually quick away from the barrier.
"You saw how quick away he was the other day (in the Caulfield Stakes). He can just slot in wherever he wants after that."
Melham added: "I wasn't fussed about where I drew because I'm on a horse in good form that is ready to back-up well. That (stall two) just makes it a little better and everything is working perfectly."
Willie Mullins, by contrast, believes a wide draw in stall 16 could be an issue for Wicklow Brave, who will be ridden by Joao Moreira.
He told the Irish Times: "Wicklow Brave actually worked very well (on Tuesday morning) but that outside draw will test him."
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