Viewed surprises in Caulfield Cup

Viewed prepared for a defense of his Melbourne Cup title at Caulfield on Saturday with an impressive 2 1/4-length score in the Group 1, $2.3 million Caulfield Cup Handicap. The victory by the Bart Cummings-trained 6-year-old was Viewed's first since his Melbourne Cup triumph last Nov. 4.

Ridden by Brad Rawiller, the 12-1 Viewed was sent to the rail near the back of the 18-runner field from his wide draw. Viewed skimmed the fence throughout the 1 1/2-mile race to lead at the eighth pole, ultimately clocking 2:29.70 on good ground to break a seven-race losing streak while giving the 81-year-old Cummings his seventh Caulfield Cup success.

Roman Emperor, who is both trained and owned by Cummings, was second with Vigor third, a half-length behind the runner-up, but the two British invaders had no luck at all. The Godolphin-owned Kirklees finished seventh under Kerrin McEvoy but remains on course for a rematch with Viewed in the Melbourne Cup on Nov. 3. Cima de Triomphe came home a well beaten 13th in his first start since finishing fifth in the Arlington Million.