Noonan's declaration if Cosmic Crusader opts for Caulfield Cup

By Connor Scanlon

Is WA gun Cosmic Crusader being disrespected in the market for the Caulfield Cup (2400m)?

On Sunday, the day after winning the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington, the Andrea Leek-trained six-year-old sat at $17 with Sportsbet for the prestigious Cup.

The son of Maurice won with ease and relished in the heavy conditions of the Flemington track, suggesting he could be a major player in both a Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate (2040m).

Reflecting on that wide price on RSN’s Correct Weight, Trav Noonan exclaimed he was shocked with where the bay sits in the Caulfield Cup market, while his brother Nick stated Cosmic Crusader would start favourite if he went to that Group 1.

Nick: “If he went to a Caulfield Cup, he'd have to be favourite of this performance, wouldn't he?”

Trav: “I was shocked. I think he currently sits at $16 and it is a proper decision that they've got to make whether he runs in the Caulfield Cup."

“I was absolutely shocked by that.

“The $16, you're taking a little bit speculatively because he may just head to the Cox plate and then you've done your money, but realistically, if he lines up in the Caulfield Cup, he starts under $3.”

Trav continued by explaining this is the year to run the gelding in the handicap, given his weight of 56kg.

And while the Cox Plate is likely on the agenda for the six-year-old, Trav declared Cosmic Crusader as the horse to beat in the Caulfield Cup, if he runs there.

“Just on Cosmic Crusader for the Caulfield Cup though, he is 3kg below his weight-for-age mark, so he gets in with 56kg. He can't get penalised for winning the Turnbull,” said Trav.

“So, this is his year to run in a Caulfield Cup. You're not going to get that chance again next year.

“In terms of 56kg in a Caulfield Cup that is probably light in terms of key contenders, I think this is more a line-ball call than just going straight to the Cox Plate.

“He would be the horse to beat in the Caulfield Cup.”

While the WA horse could definitely ruffle some feathers in the prestigious handicap, Nick is of the belief that the Cox Plate is the race to run the bay in.

“I think you'd probably have to go the Cox Plate,” admitted Nick.

“You've just won at 2000m at Flemington. The market's sort of suggesting Sir Delius was going to be the one to beat all spring. You've just beat him, you've beat Aeliana.

“Unless the three-year-olds put down some big numbers in a Caulfield Guineas… I don't think you'd be running scared of anyone right now.”

Cosmic Crusader is now $12 for the Caulfield Cup, while he sits at $6 for the Cox Plate.