Caulfield Racing Tips
Track: Good 4. Rail: Out 6m entire circuit
Best Bet: Race 7 – NATIVE SOLDIER
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Race 1: Fillies and Mares BM70 Handicap 1200m
TWITCHY FRANK (2) gets the good 2kg claim to offset the big weight, she was a dominant winner at the Bool when resuming, then seemed to have every chance when second-up at Flemington. She has versatility and presuming she jumps away evenly, the jock should have all the options off the good gate.
Dangers:
GINA’S HOPE (5) is only lightly raced and not well drawn, but her two wins this time in have been brilliant running on hard from the back. Look for her late. SWORN EVIDENCE (6) is also from the Weir yard, she showed improvement at the Valley after having 7 weeks off. AMORTENTIA (1) looks the only other chance, happy to only have her in the minor placings in the exotics.
Race 2: BM70 Handicap 1100m
STAR FALL (16) has good speed, he is taking on the older horses here but there was a lot to like about the way he returned to the racetrack at Pakenham. He has won 2/4 overall, was dominant leading throughout in the first-up effort. If he can lead again or control it from outside the leader, he will be hard to beat.
Dangers:
If RIVER HOUSE (17) gets a start he looms as a real threat. He will be the one giving the top selection a big start but if he gets attacked up on the speed, look for River House to be screaming home down the outside late. THINK BABE (12) is consistent, draws well and has been given a 6-week freshen-up. LANGHRO (4) will have supporters, his two wins last campaign were by huge margins but he has to give a stack of weight to the top pick here fresh.
Race 3: Fillies and Mares BM84 Handicap 1400m
HONEY ESPRIT (6) settled a lot closer last time, stepping up again in trip expect that she will roll forward in the small field. She was super up on the pace at the Valley last time when swamped late.
Dangers:
FLYING KRUPT (2) has won two in a row across the border in SA. She can over-race a little but if she gets cover one off the fence behind the leaders, she will finish hard. REMEMBER THE NAME (4) is resuming, she has a poor record when racing fresh, will be wide and giving them a start. She looks a great risk. ANGELIC SPIRIT (1) looks another winning chance in an open race, she has been up for a while but has good tactical speed and looks the leader. Hard to run down if she gets some easy sectionals through the middle and rails hard at the top of the straight.
Race 4: BM70 Handicap 1400m
IMMACULATE SECRET (10) has not missed a place in her 6-start career, she has won both runs this time in and has good tactical speed.
Dangers:
SMART ELISSIM (13) won his first two races and it is a little worrying that he is now into start seven at his first ever prep, but he is still racing well. He had to sit wide on the speed at the Valley three weeks ago and didn’t shirk the task late. Drawn better here today, he maps beautifully and should have the cold sit on the leaders. CHAROSSA (12) comes over from Adelaide where he has been good in two starts this prep. He has good tactical speed, expect him to go forward and look for the spot outside the leader. Just doesn’t need to work too hard to get there. FAST PLAN (5) didn’t have a lot of luck at Sandown three weeks ago, he was super coming from last to first prior to that and the winkers go on today.
Race 5: Handicap 1400m
HEPTAGON (7) has not been seen for 10 weeks, his run resuming last prep was good at the Valley when he was forced to make a wide run on a part of the track that was like quicksand. He races well fresh but does need to improve on his record at the track.
Dangers:
CHIPPENHAM (8) has a stack of speed, with the two kilos coming off through the engagement of the apprentice, expect that he will be leading for a long way and prove very hard to catch. AMADEUS (6) came through the same race as him and was clearly a better run on paper, but the slight weight turnaround may be the difference. TURNITAROUND (3) had every chance against those two last time but does draw to get a soft run again and is a place chance.
Race 6: Lord Stakes 1700m
TORGERSEN (1) was runner-up in the Kilmore Cup two starts back after running on well. He then went to Pakenham and again had to settle for the bridesmaid tag after running on hard despite laying in. The small field looks to suit here as it may turn into a sit and sprint, Baster goes on which looks a good jockey change.
Dangers:
AGE OF FIRE (2) comes through the same form-line but has finished behind the topweight at both of those runs, he will get back and run on hard. SO SI BON (4) had a month off before going to Pakenham, he had every chance but wasn’t beaten far. From the draw he will probably be ridden for luck but can feature if he gets it. BALF’S CHOICE (5) next best in a race where you could find a case for any one of them winning. He will get back, he ran on hard to score across the border last time.
Race 7: Christmas Stakes Handicap 1200m
NATIVE SOLDIER (3) was good up the straight at Flemington last start, he did have his chance admittedly but he may have just run out of condition. He was a winner second-up last prep, and did start $5 against The Autumn Sun before going for a spell. Looks like he can take the next step up.
Dangers:
RUNSON (2) is returning from Perth where he had a crack at the Winterbottom, he was well beaten when up in the speed. Willing to forgive that run as that wasn’t the place to be. PLATINUM ANGEL (5) may not have the X-factor but she was super in Adelaide a few weeks ago when beaten as favourite. She was held-up at a vital stage, ran on in a race where the tempo was against and was lame! GEORGE PATTON (6) is probably the most interesting runner of the day, he is a former import that only had one start in Oz before having a year off. He was beaten as favourite in Sydney that day at Listed level and has since been gelded. Watch for any money for him.
Race 8: BM78 Handicap 1600m
Finally, we don’t end the meeting with a mare’s race! LAURE ME IN (10) has been very consistent, the best part about him has been the versatility he has shown and ability to do it at both ends. From the wide gate he will probably get back but the speed should be genuine ensuring he has his chance to run on.
Dangers:
SAM SLICK (11) comes through a race at Pakenham that featured some horses earlier in the card, he ran on hard that day after winning his first two this prep. CASINO FOURTEEN (6) is a last start winner at this level, he had to do it the tradie’s way as well sitting outside the leader but was way too good. BLACK SAIL (3) has been so consistent this campaign, only missing a place at one of his last six runs. He maps beautifully in a race where the chances aren’t limited to these four.