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Group One-winning Arapaho, faces a setback in his preparation towards the Spring Carnival, which could result in him missing the Caulfield Cup. Trainer Bjorn Baker stated that the gelding has suffered a spiked temperature early in his preparation, and the door is all but closing on Arapaho's participation in the Caulfield Cup.
However, Baker sees this as an opportunity to head to the Japan Cup later in the year. Arapaho has earned a ballot-free entry into the JPY1,085,000,000 (AU$11m) Gr.1 Japan Cup, thanks to his win in the Tancred Stakes over Montefillia in the autumn. The Japan Cup is scheduled to be held on November 26, giving Baker more time to get Arapaho back on track. The race offers a staggering AU$5.6m for the winner plus a A$4.6m bonus for having won the Tancred Stakes.
Despite missing the Caulfield Cup, Arapaho still has a chance to compete in the Japan Cup and win the grand prize money, which would be a significant achievement for Baker and his team.
"There was a setback with Arapaho, he had a temperature," Baker said.
"He is back and OK now, but it has set him back at the moment."
While he is unlikely to reach the Caulfield Cup, Baker said he could head towards the Cox Plate a week later, as he steps up to weight-for-age company.
"We will be unlikely to get to the Caulfield Cup now, he is in the Japan Cup but, which probably becomes a more likely option, we need to have a good think about it," Baker said, who also has Overpass on track for the $20m The Everest.
The Sydney-based trainer also floated the Gr.1 Mackinnon Stakes (November 11) as a possible lead-up race to the Japan Cup if they were to go down that route.
"We might have to go to the Cox Plate or the Mackinnon, we are in no rush.
"Either way, it is tough racing for him, getting out of the handicap grade and into the weight for age."
Arapaho's regular jockey Rachel King came in second place in the lucrative World All-Star series in Japan over the weekend.
"It's incredible to just be here and competing on this world stage with all these world-class jockeys. I've been privileged to have been invited by the JRA, but to get a winner in the first leg is even better," King said after riding her first winner in Japan.