Mongolian Khan comes through as favorite in Caulfield Cup

Mongolian Khan and Trip to Paris strengthened their claims as leading contenders for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup on Nov. 3, with a one-two finish Saturday in the $2.17 million Caulfield Cup at about 1 1/2 miles on turf at Caulfield Racecourse in Australia.

Mongolian Khan, the 4-1 favorite, won the Group 1 Caulfield Cup by a half-length over the 30-1 Trip to Paris, leading for the final quarter-mile. Mongolian Khan won the Group 1 Australian Derby in April. Trip to Paris won the Group 1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in June.

Our Ivanhowe, a 25-1 shot, finished third, 1 3/4 lengths behind Mongolian Khan, a 4-year-old Australian-bred colt by Holy Roman Emperor. Protectionist, winner of the 2014 Melbourne Cup, was 14th of 20 in the Caulfield Cup.

After the Caulfield Cup, Mongolian Khan and Trip to Paris were listed as 7-1 or 8-1 with British bookmakers to win the Melbourne Cup, Australia’s most popular race.

Fame Game, who could only finish sixth in the Caulfield Cup, beaten 4 3/4 lengths, remained the 9-2 favorite for the Melbourne Cup. The Caulfield Cup was Fame Game’s first start since a second in the Grade 1 Tenno Sho Stakes at Japan in May.

Mongolian Khan races for trainer Murray Baker and was ridden by Opie Bosson of New Zealand. Owned by the Inner Magnolia Rider Horse Group, Mongolian Khan has won 8 of 13 starts.