Dandino running 2nd to Thomas Chippendale in the Hardwicke Stakes at the Royal Ascot Carnival in the light green silks.The final Caulfield Cup 2013 field has been set and international runner Dandino has been the best backed horse in the markets over the past month. Dandino was last seen on the race track winning the Group 1 American St Leger at Arlington Park over 2700m. This was the same lead-up race used by Jakkalberry last year before running 13th in the Caulfield Cup and 3rd in the Melbourne Cup. Dandino’s previous four races resulted in three 2nds and a first all over the 2400m distance including a second in the Royal Ascot Carnival Hardwicke Stakes to the ill-fated Thomas Chippendale in a race which the favourite slipped early in the race and threw it’s rider.
Dandino has been ‘impressing’ many on the training track since arriving from the US in late September and has firmed in from around the $20 quote to win the Caulfield Cup into $8 2nd favourite. Dandino is a horse best ridden fresh and should settle in the back half of the field on Saturday.
Craig Williams has been booked for the ride on Dandino in the Caulfield Cup and has been talking up the horse all week through media interviews. Recreational punters come out of the woodwork around this time of year and many of these punters choose to back in a jockey who has been kind to them in past carnivals and there has been none kinda than Craig in recent years. Many experts will suggest Dandino is rock-bottom odds at $8, but with the mystery of an international runner combined with Williams riding, the price could crack the $7 quote before the jump on Saturday.
