Date: Saturday 21 October
Time: TBA
Prize Money: $5m
Scheduled to take place on October 21, 2023, at Caulfield Racecourse, the Caulfield Cup is one of the premier races on the Australian racing calendar. It’s traditionally been seen as an ideal lead up to the Melbourne Cup, and as such many of the same horses are often nominated for both races.
With a very healthy $5m prize pool on offer for contenders it is a significant race to win and first place walks away with a huge $3m. Furthermore, prize money is paid out all the way down to 10th place. For the full prize money allocation see below:
| Placing | Prize Money |
| 1st | $3,000,000 |
| 2nd | $700,000 |
| 3rd | $350,000 |
| 4th | $200,000 |
| 5th | $150,000 |
| 6th - 10th | $120,000 |
Caulfield Cup Key Dates and Field
Race nominations for the 2023 Caulfield Cup Closed on 8 August, with a total of 175 entries nominated. We take a look at the market below. First acceptances will then be on September 12 which is when owners / connections have to start paying for the privilege to put their horse forward into the race. There are two more acceptance rounds on September 26 and October 10 before the final field will be announced on October 18.
Being one of the feature races of the Melbourne Spring Carnival, there is significant interest from punters and as a result there is a ‘Pre Noms’ market for the 2023 Caulfield Cup. As always with a ‘Pre Noms’ market care needs to be exercised as any bet placed in such a market is known as ‘All In’, meaning whether or not the horse actually runs the bet is most definitely placed.
So let’s take a look at the market.
| Runner Name | Win Price | Place Price |
| FRANCESCO GUARDI | $11.00 | $3.50 |
| WEST WIND BLOWS | $11.00 | $3.50 |
| WITHOUT A FIGHT | $11.00 | $3.50 |
| SHARP N SMART | $15.00 | $4.50 |
| VALIANT KING | $15.00 | $4.50 |
| BREAKUP | $18.00 | $5.25 |
| RIGHT YOU ARE | $18.00 | $5.25 |
| TOWER OF LONDON | $18.00 | $5.25 |
| WIN MIGHTY | $18.00 | $5.25 |
| DEAUVILLE LEGEND | $26.00 | $7.25 |
| FAWKNER PARK | $26.00 | $7.25 |
| FIRST IMMORTAL | $26.00 | $7.25 |
| FLOATING ARTIST | $26.00 | $7.25 |
| GLOBE | $26.00 | $7.25 |
| GOLDMAN | $26.00 | $7.25 |
| ISRAR | $26.00 | $7.25 |
| LUXEMBOURG | $26.00 | $7.25 |
| MAJOR BEEL | $26.00 | $7.25 |
| MONTEFILIA | $26.00 | $7.25 |
| PENNYWEKA | $26.00 | $7.25 |
| ARAPAHO | $34.00 | $9.25 |
| CARINI | $34.00 | $9.25 |
| DUAIS | $34.00 | $9.25 |
| DUKE DE SESSA | $34.00 | $9.25 |
| GOLD TRIP | $34.00 | $9.25 |
| HOO YA MAL | $34.00 | $9.25 |
| LOFT | $34.00 | $9.25 |
| MY PROSPERO | $34.00 | $9.25 |
| SOULCOMBE | $34.00 | $9.25 |
Taking a look at the above, the thing that stands out the most is the strong international contingent lining up in the race. Even more of interest is the fact that for many of them (24 in total have been nominated from the northern hemisphere) it is their main target here in Australia. This is unusual in that oftentimes the Caulfield Cup stands as a stepping stone for what is known (semi affectionately) as the ‘international raiders’, and their annual assault on the Melbourne Spring Carnival riches. Let’s take a look at a few of them as follows:
Deauville Legend
This UK-based horse was last year's Melbourne Cup favourite and is looking to make amends this year, but with a twist. Trainer James Ferguson has shifted focus towards the Caulfield Cup as the horse's main aim. Despite a disappointing run in the King George at Ascot, all signs suggest that Deauville Legend is in good form and ready to tackle the Caulfield Cup.
West Wind Blows
Another English contender, trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, West Wind Blows has been performing at the elite level. With a third-place finish in the Eclipse and a second-place finish in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot, this horse is committed to the Caulfield Cup as its primary target. The team is also considering the Turnbull Stakes as a lead-up to the big race.
Breakup
One of the two Japanese horses in the nominations, Breakup brings excitement to the Caulfield Cup. Japanese horses have a strong track record in this race, with Admire Rakti and Mer De Glace both having won in the past decade. Breakup is expected to be competitive at Group level and could be a dark horse in this year's race.
Win Mighty
The other Japanese nominee, Win Mighty, is another horse to watch. The Melbourne Racing Club's Executive Director, Jake Norton, expressed particular excitement about the Japanese participation this year. Given Japan's past successes at Caulfield, Win Mighty could very well be in the mix come race day.
These international contenders add an extra layer of intrigue to what is already shaping up to be a thrilling Caulfield Cup that promises to be a truly global affair.
