While Sydney’s Everest is worth $20 million, a rising Aussie Spring Carnival star could be worth a lot more than that if he claims victory at Caulfield.
While the $3 million in prize money in the Caulfield Guineas is dwarfed by the riches on offer at Royal Randwick, the prestige of winning the Group 1 Caulfield race in Melbourne could bring an even richer prize.
The Guinea is a breed of breeders, essentially making it an audition for global recognition.
Beyond racing, this means that a stallion can become a license to print money because of its value when retired.
And here the favorite Militarize can earn money.
Joao Moreira (red yellow) riding Militarize to victory in the Golden Rose at Rosehill Gardens in September
Militarize has now won two Group 1 races as a two-year-old and is looking to add a second win as a three-year-old in the Caulfield Guineas
Newgate Farm Superstar is a colt with a matching stallion pedigree and enters the race at an ultra-short price of $2.80 to claim victory.
Militarize is a son of six-time Group 1 winner Dundeel and cost just $550,000 in last year’s Magic Millions but has already rattled off three Group 1 victories.
They included two wins as a two-year-old and the Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on September 23 on his most recent outing.
That puts his stallion value at around $20 million, but victory in the Guineas would lift him to $25 million, according to leading breeders.
“If he wins the Caulfield Guineas, he will go to stud as one of the most desirable stud prospects of the last five or 10 years,” Newgate Farm founder Henry Field told The Age.
“What he has achieved so far and his work is remarkable.”
Militarize’s win at Rosehill Gardens has cemented him as favorite to win the Caulfield Guineas
Trainer Chris Waller said neither obstacle nor chance would faze the champion
Miltarize’s champion trainer Chris Waller doesn’t believe the barrier 12 drawing will be any obstacle for the colt either, after they got a look at the track for the first time earlier this week.
“It was a nice live workout. We didn’t ask him to do much, just sit behind his stablemate Lindermann, who is a quality performer himself,” Waller said.
“He had a look around, making sure he had the right foot, which is always important when you make your first run in Melbourne.
“He’s done a lot of work in Sydney on his left foot, but to do it here at Caulfield is another thing.
“Michael Dee was on board and he was very pleased with every aspect of his work, getting on the right foot, balancing in the straight and finishing well.
“He was a star as a two-year-old and has come back as a three-year-old very well, but you’re also looking for the youngsters.
“He’s certainly the benchmark and they’ll know he’s there on Saturday.”
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