French stayer Dunaden stormed from near the back of the field and won the $2,583,125 Caulfield Cup (Aus-I) Oct. 20 to kept his perfect record in Australia in tact.
The 6-year-old by Nicobar, winner of last year's Emirates Melbourne Cup (Aus-I), Australia's most famous race, overtook Alcopop 200 meters out to win the Caulfield Cup by a half-length under Craig Williams.
Toting top weight of 128 pounds, Dunaden broke widest of all from post 18 and relaxed third from last as favorite Glencadam Gold set the pace and led to the home turn.
Dunaden launched a willing rally on the turn and resolutely charged on the outside to score his third win as many Australian starts for trainer Mikel Delzangles and owner Sheikh Fahad al Thani's Pearl Bloodstock.
Dunaden's time for 1 1/2 miles (2,400 meters) was 2:28. He will be pointed for a repeat bid in the Melbourne Cup Nov. 6.
Lights of Heaven narrowly took third from Americain , who tried to keep pace as Dunaden stormed past but was fourth. Glencadam Gold faded to finish 15th.
Williams won last year's Caulfield Cup aboard Southern Speed. He guided Dunaden to victory in the 2011 Centrebet Geelong Cup (Aus-III) but missed the Melbourne Cup due to a suspension. He was back aboard for Dunaden’s win in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase (HK-I) following the Melbourne Cup victory with Christophe Lemaire.
"The horse is just a remarkable horse," Williams told The Australian about Dunaden, Australia's champion stayer last season. "We seem to have a great connection and he just lifts for me."
A multiple stakes winner in France and twice group-placed in England, Dunaden has 10 wins, nine seconds, and seven thirds from 34 career starts.
French-bred Dunaden is out of the unraced Kaldounevees mare La Marlia.
