Best Solution has fourth straight group stakes win in Caulfield Cup

Best Solution won his fourth consecutive group stakes in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup outside of Melbourne, Australia on Friday to join the list of contenders for the famous Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse on Nov. 6.

Best Solution, a 4-year-old Irish-bred colt by Kodiac, edged the Kentucky-bred Homesman by a short head in the $3,561,000 Caulfield Cup at 1 1/2 miles on turf. Best Solution (11-1) was ridden by Pat Cosgrave, who kept his mount in fourth for the first mile. Best Solution took the lead with more than a quarter-mile remaining and was fully extended to beat Homesman (17-2).

Thecliffsofmoher (11-2) finished third, while Kings Will Dream, the 9-2 favorite, finished sixth, beaten 3 3/4 lengths after stumbling at the start. Thecliffsofmoher was eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar last November.

As of Sunday, Best Solution was 12-1 in future-book betting for the Melbourne Cup at two miles. Yucatan, trained by Aidan O’Brien of Ireland, was the 7-1 favorite. The race typically draws a field of 24.

Best Solution races for Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolpin Racing and trainer Saeed Bin Suroor, who is based in England at this time of year.

Best Solution’s wins in the current streak have been in races at 1 1/2 miles on turf - the Group 2 Princess of Wales Stakes at Newmarket in July, the Group 1 Grosser Preis Von Berlin in August, the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Baden at Baden-Baden, Germany on Sept. 2, and the Caulfield Cup.