Bob Peters weighs both Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate campaign for Cosmic Crusader

Bob Peters is considering running Cosmic Crusader in both the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate after the gelding’s dominant Group 1 Turnbull Stakes win at Flemington.

Peters discussed the options with Gareth Hall on Giddy Up on SEN Track when asked whether the gelding could tackle both races.

“Oh, you’d have to be very good. And you have to be very good, I think, to do that,” he said.

Trainer Andrea Leek had outlined a single-race choice after the Turnbull.

“We’ll leave that up to Bob, whether he goes a Cox Plate path or a Caulfield Cup, but it’ll be one of them,” Leek said.

A dual campaign would mean racing again a fortnight after the Turnbull, then backing up the following Saturday.

Peters said Cosmic Crusader had pulled up well and that he wanted another day or two before deciding on a program for the gelding. The extra 400 metres at Caulfield is among the considerations.

Asked whether he had any concern about the gelding handling a strong 2400 metres, Peters said: “Only a slight one. I think I’ve got the feeling that he will, but you never know.”

“There’s a lot to consider. Those international horses are very hard to beat, wherever you go,” he said.

Asked which option the trainer preferred, he said: “She hasn’t said. She leaves all that to me.”

“Yeah, we have to because we’ve got to work out his work. Yeah, what he’s going to do. So can’t wait much longer,” Peters said.

Peters also recalled his 1988 Caulfield Cup near-miss, when he said three course callers had declared Congressman the winner and people were congratulating him before learning the horse had finished second.

“And the loneliest place I found out is that second stall at Caulfield if you’ve been beaten,” he said.