Appleby sets Emotionless for Caulfield Cup

Charlie Appleby is excited by the prospect of preparing the resurgent Emotionless for a tilt at the Caulfield Cup in October.

The Shamardal colt was a brilliant winner of the Champagne Stakes as a juvenile three years ago, but disappointed on his next start in the Dewhurst and raced just five times in 2016 and 2017 combined.

However, he made a promising return to action when chasing home fellow Godolphin star Benbatl in Dubai in January and rediscovered the winning trail in the Listed Steventon Stakes at Newbury last month.

“I’m pleased with him and he is heading to Australia for the Caulfield Cup,” Appleby said.

“It is that time of year that the international scene comes to the fore.

“We’ve got our international team, they go into quarantine in the next couple of weeks and we’re looking forward to it.”

Appleby has enjoyed profitable trips to Mebourne for the past two spring carnivals, winning multiple Cups with Qewy and training Folkswood to a minor placing in last year’s Cox Plate after claiming the Cranbourne Cup.

Appleby said Emotionless had tested his patience after standing out as a two-year-old.

“We kept him as we believed in the horse and, needless to say, when they do what you hoped they would do one day, it is very satisfying,” Appleby said.

“He has come out the race well, which is the most important thing, as he has been a fragile horse.”