Riven Light up for spring carnival debut

Riven Light could back up in the Cox Plate if he performs well in the Caulfield Stakes.

Dave Casey is looking forward to Irish galloper Riven Light having his first run in Melbourne in the Caulfield Stakes.

On his third trip to Melbourne for a spring carnival, Casey is the eyes and ears for respected Irish trainer Willie Mullins.

Casey has been in Melbourne for 11 days overseeing the preparation of Riven Light who was accompanied by Wicklow Brave who has made his second trip after finishing 22nd to Almandin in last year’s Melbourne Cup.

Mullins’ assistant trainer said Riven Light had travelled and settled in well at the Werribee quarantine centre, his home for the spring carnival.

“He’s well and very fit and hopefully he’ll run well and do himself a bit of justice,” Casey said.

“He’s a relaxed horse and takes it all in his stride.”

Casey says a decision will be made after Saturday’s Caulfield Stakes whether the gelding heads to the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 28.

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He is hoping the presence of Winx may scare off a number of the opposition, opening up the opportunity of a good pay day.

Like everyone else Casey was impressed by Winx’s win in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.

“You’re hoping after last Saturday people won’t turn up and there’ll be some extra prize money,” Casey said.

“We don’t expect to beat Winx but if he runs well enough on Saturday he might be able to go there and run a good race and get some nice prize money.”

After last year’s disappointment in the Melbourne Cup, Casey said Wicklow Brave was a different horse this time around.

“I think that because he’s got a companion with him this year, he’s a lot more relaxed,” Casey said.

“Last year the initial travel wasn’t brilliant but he improved and I’m a lot happier this year.”

Wicklow Brave runs in Saturday week’s Caulfield Cup in which he will be ridden by champion Hong Kong jockey Joao Moreira.