Caulfield Racing Tips
Track: Good 4. Rail: Out 9m entire circuit
Best Bet: Race 8 – Home Of The Brave
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Race 1: Super VOBIS 3YO Handicap 1600m
SAVVY OAK (5) was super on debut winning his maiden at Echuca, went to the Valley and got a mile back but only got going late. His late sectionals were outstanding, a little worrying that the Concussion plates go on, he gets the soft run from the inside draw and should be flashing late out to the mile for the first time.
Dangers:
EXTRA BRUT (3) was a good winner last time when beating Black Caviar’s offspring last time after it traded at $1.01, he has a big finish and should be flying late. A FIGHTING FURY (2) was ok last time in a harder race and is on the week’s back-up. His two wins earlier in the prep were both on the synthetic which is a little concerning, but he has the ability. THUNDERDOME (9) is a last start maiden winner stepping up to this grade, he didn’t have a great turn-of-foot in that win but was strong late.
Race 2: BM78 Handicap 1800m
LUCKY FOR ALL (8) is a winner at his only other second-up run, his run was outstanding fresh when held-up for a furlong approaching the turn, he ran on strongly late but would have finished closer had he ran straight. He looks to be suited back on the bigger track here, look for him late.
Dangers:
AL GALAYEL (5) has only been in Australia for half of his 8 career starts, has versatility and probably goes forward from the inside draw. He has been off the scene for 6 weeks but has been sharpened up with atrial since. PLEASURING (4) was just warming up late last time, she looks suited getting out in trip and has placed at her only other second-up run. BELGRAVIA (2) was huge odds at his Australian debut, he ran on hard and certainly will get the trip.
Race 3: Super VOBIS 3YO Plate 1000m
WRITTEN BY (1) has only tasted defeat once in his five-start career, that was last start in the Golden Slipper. HE has won both starts here at the track, his win in the Blue Diamond was freakish, he should just roll across early and if anywhere near 100%, will be winning this.
Dangers:
FINE DANE (9) had trialed well prior to his debut at Moe 3 weeks ago, he came out slowly before working forward three-wide without cover and then charged away late for a most impressive trial win. He looks to have a stack of ability. ROOSEVELT (8) won on debut then was well beaten above the border last time but did appear in the steward’s report. He was sent to the paddock, has trialed well in preparation for this. MORE THAN EXCEED (4) should get a soft run just off the leader’s, a solid win across the border last time.
Race 4: Mares BM90 Handicap 1400m
TULIP (1) settled further back second-up and really hit the line hard in a tougher race than this and wasn’t beaten far. Likely to get back again here from the wide gate, she will appreciate this class and getting back on the bigger track. If the track is playing fair with the rail out, the big field should ensure the pace is on and she will be finishing best.
Dangers:
SHOKORA (9) is a winner at her only other second-up run, forget she even went around at the Valley after being held-up when making a run then getting clear and being held-up again late. ISTRIA (7) showed a stack more tactical speed last start here, she may roll forward again and look for the top. She looked like dropping out when headed on that occasion but rallied nicely. SMART AS YOU THINK (5) is still yet to win out of maiden grade but is consistent, she may need the run/further but draws to get an economical run and a minor placing wouldn’t surprise.
Race 5: Handicap 1100m
WHYPEEO (7) will go forward from the wide draw, he was ok last start when resuming chasing the speedy Ball Of Muscle, this is a lot easier and if he can get up outside the leader early, he will be hard to run past in the straight.
Dangers:
MARSUPIAL (11) comes through the same formline in Brisbane last campaign, he has good tactical speed and has trialed well enough twice in preparation for this. The stable is not always forward in these trials but he looked good. BONS AWAY (2) has won fresh previously, from the wide gate he may get back but will get home hard with the right cart into it. EDUARDO (16) has speed, obviously this is his biggest test to date but he couldn’t have been more impressive at his first two starts. The inside gate looks suitable if he can jump and run. He has had three months in between runs, watch the betting late.
Race 6: Jim Moloney Stakes 3YO Fillies 1400m
SPANISH WHISPER (5) came across the ditch with a good overall record in her short career, she was up on the speed at her Australian debut at the Valley and stuck on well, she will improve off that run as that was her first run in 6 months.
Dangers:
ANJANA (8) was also in that race at the Valley and had no luck from the 400-200m mark, she was good late. She doesn’t map the best but she has the ability. REGINAE (9) has won both of her starts this campaign north of the border. She ran on at both her maiden win and last start, maps to get a soft run and will only need a little luck late. ASSERIVE PLAY (7) tasted defeat for the first time in that lead-up race at the Valley, the clear question mark is the horrible draw. Had she drawn closer in she would have been at the top of the selections.
Race 7: Naturalism Stakes 2000m
NIGHT’S WATCH (10) was super here when winning second-up, he is a star and after having a fortnight off, he should be ready to fire here. If he gets away cleanly he should be in the second half early and running on hard. The speed should be solid enough, look for him bursting through at the furlong pole somewhere.
Dangers:
SIR CHARLES ROAD (7) is an interesting runner over from NZ, he won at Group 2 level in the Autumn before placing in the Sydney Cup. A last start winner across the ditch only 3 weeks ago, the trip won’t be an issue! OUR VENICE BEACH (5) was having his first Australian start last time out at the Valley, he looks a little one paced but will keep coming and no doubt improves off that run. VENTURA STORM (3) was good late when resuming. FOLKSWOOD (1) has a great fresh record but just willing to risk him fresh. Heavily backed to win the Emirates last Spring and was brave in defeat. He will definitely be a player in the Spring.
Race 8: Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes 1400m
HOME OF THE BRAVE (2) is a speedy type that will take some catching around here. He destroyed them in Sydney a fortnight ago when leading all the way, run down up the straight fresh he looks the leader and if the track is favouring that pattern early in the day, expect him to be very well backed.
Dangers:
JUNGLE CAT (1) is another of the Charlie Appleby stable resuming here in Oz, he won three straight in Dubai before coming here. First-up for 6 months, he goes well fresh and will be finishing hard. OSBORNE BULLS (4) was super here winning the Regal Roller last time running on hard form a mile back, LAND OF PLENTY (8) was also in that race but only fair, he was super last time second-up but that third-up record is concerning. I would need double figures to back him.
Race 9: How Now Stakes Mares 1200m
GLOBAL GLAMOUR (1) was racing tougher opposition than this when last in work, she has had the best part of six months off but has trialed well and as always from the Waterhouse/Bott yard you would expect her to be very forward and ready to go fresh. With the blinkers off today, she will go forward and if able to dictate from outside the leader, will be very hard to run past late.
Dangers:
ELLICAZOOM (2) couldn’t have been more impressive winning here last time, she was a mile back before accelerating and seemingly putting them away in a few strides. Look for her late! LEATHER ‘N’ LACE (13) comes through that same race, she had no luck in the straight and the beaten margin was unfair. EPIDEMIC (8) has the wide gate but will get back anyway, she is a winner and will be charging late. Couldn’t get much from her trial but that is the norm with this yard.