Wide draw makes Folkswood task much harder on Aussie return

Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby has meticulously planned for another Australian campaign but one factor over which he has no control is the barrier draw.

Folkswood, who is the first of his seven horses to run in Melbourne this Spring, will start from barrier 15 when lining up for Saturday’s G3 East Malvern Bendigo Bank MRC Foundation Cup, over 2,000m, at Caulfield.

James Doyle, who is due to arrive in Australia early Saturday morning, will need skill and luck to get over into a handy position in what is expected to be a capacity 16-runner field.

The race (registered as the G3 Naturalism Stakes) guarantees the winner a place in the G1 Caulfield Cup on Saturday, 20 October.

Folkswood has always been considered the perfect horse for Australia by Appleby.

The son of Exceed And Excel won the Listed Cranbourne Cup first-up on his previous visit to Melbourne before finishing a creditable third behind Winx and Humidor in the G1 Cox Plate and fifth in the G1 Mackinnon Stakes.

Appleby believes Folkswood appreciates the Australian style of racing and he has been prepared for a good first-up run at Caulfield.

“He travelled well to Australia and settled in well,” the trainer reported.

“If he reproduces his Australian form of last year, he is going to be very competitive,” he  added.

Folkswood raced in Dubai earlier in the year, but then had a six-month break during which he has thrived, Appleby’s plan is to eventually step him up to 2,400m.