Trio of Caulfield Cup Day runners

Champion jockey Damien Oliver sticks with Sabrage (pictured) as the up-and-coming three-year-old steps up in distance when contesting one of Saturday's feature events, the Gr.3 Norman Robinson Stakes.

Giving the lightly raced gelding a wrap after his game last start third in the Bill Stutt Stakes, Oliver has faith in Sabrage as a staying prospect and the stable are also looking forward to seeing what he can do over the 2000m enroute to the VRC Derby.

"We have been really happy with him," Michael Moroney said, pleased with a good barrier draw - 3 - "he has trained on well since the Valley."

Noting that Sabrage is a member of a particularly strong three-year-old crop, he said that the son of Charge Forward is an especially "nice colt to deal with - and he has the strength you need in a young horse at this time of year."

Not so well treated with the barrier draw is Platinum Passion who takes her place in the Gr.3 David Jones Cup with Kerrin McEvoy taking the ride from gate 14.

"It's a tricky draw again," Moroney conceded, "but she will press forward again."

Drawing the outside gate at her most recent outing, the granddaughter of super mare Horlicks still managed to win with a bit in hand over the same trip (2000m) at Caulfield and the form from her race has held up well with runner up Shewan taking out the Herbert Power Stakes last weekend.

"She seems to have trained on well," Moroney said, although with some caution - "she is still a bit winterish in her coat."

Born To Rock is the third of our trio of Caulfield Cup Day runners, the exciting four-year-old due to jump from the inside gate in the Gr.2 Tristarc Stakes.

A convincing all the way winner over 1200m at Moonee Valley the daughter of the in-form Fastnet Rock steps up to 1400m, a distance at which she was Gr.1 placed in Brisbane over the winter.

"We are very happy with her but it is a strong line up," Moroney said - noting the presence of such classy mares as More Joyous, Response and Sister Madly - "but she had to take them on at some stage."

A mare whose potential is still relatively untapped, Born To Rock has had just the 13 starts, winning give of those including the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic.