Caulfield, Saturday 23/7
Conditions - Soft
Race 1
3- TAUT YOU COULD
1- THRON BONE
6- RIVER RIBBLE
Good race to kick off here, there is a range of crossing form lines but like TAUT YOU COULD to turn the tables on THRON BONE who beat him home last start. TAUT YOU COULD was caught out wide most of the trip last start and now draws a better barrier to get a much softer run. As stated before, THRON BONE recently beat home TAUT YOU COULD and then went on to win again in his next start, in good winning form. RIBER RIBBLE was competitive at a good level in his debut prep and then came out and beat a much easier field when resuming. Up in grade now.
Race 2
8- BOOGIE DANCER (BEST OF THE DAY)
1- MANHATTEN THUNDER
5- BEL AIR
BOOGIE DANCER looked really impressive when winning well at Sandown last start in tough conditions. The rise to 1400m looks like it will suit her the way she finished that win off. MANHATTEN THUNDER was an impressive winner when on debut a few weeks back. Had to endure a tough wide run that day from a wide barrier. Gets a better draw here today which should help, but this is a rise in grade now. BEL AIR was 2nd recently on debut, missed the start and managed to finish that off really strongly which suggests that rising in distance here should suit, expecting him to take some improvement out of the debut run.
Race 3
6- MINOUCHE
4- UNUSUAL CULTURE
3- DERIVE
MINOUCHE has been super consistent in her short career. She ran on well when resuming and now rises to 1400m where she has previously won over this track/distance. Maps for a soft run and looks good. UNUSUAL CULTURE produced a strong run when on her Aus debut here last start. She is definitely capable and looks a good type, but have a small query on the wide barrier. She is a danger of getting caught wide from the 1400m start as it is straight into a bend. DERIVE was coming late last start, may be fitter in this now 3rd up and should appreciate better going.
Race 4
4- SHADOW HAWK
3- FOREST DIAMOND
1- DUKE OF HASTINGS
Expecting SHADOW HAWK will get a soft run from barrier 2. He has shown to like to race on speed so if he can get a soft run, he may run away with it as we have seen him handle himself at a staying trip at this range. FOREST DIAMOND is in super form having placed in her past 2 and having 3 wins prior to that. She did beat home SHADOW HAWK last start and will carry less weight today. Loves a heavy track so rain will help. DUKE OF HASTINGS is capable, has been in really good for this prep, will rise up 4kg in weight today and over the 2400m for the first time. Looks his biggest test to date.
Race 5
12- TEEWATERS
1- REUBER
3- NO EFFORT
The way TEEWATERS finished off when resuming over the 2000m suggests that he will appreciate the rise to 2400m more than any other runner in the race. He was placed in the G1 Derby behind HITOTSU during the spring carnival, if he can recapture that form he should be hard to hold out. REUBER is a last start winner here at the track. He has showed good fight in runs this prep. So he should produce an honest effort over this trip and in the wet conditions. NO EFFORT is the current fave, she generally pushes forwards and takes control of a race from the front, giving herself every chance. She can tire over a 2000m trip so the rise in distance is the query here.
Race 6
8- SANDY PRINCE
2- PASCERO
6- POUNDING
Lightly raced SANDY PRINCE resumes today and has generally run well 1st up (3:0-3-0). He has shown he can handle a wet track and if he can find his best off a long spell, looks a big chance. Not concerned about a wider barrier as he has a chute start from the 1200m start. PASCERO ran into a couple sharp ones when resuming at Flemington at listed level, but held on for 4th only 2.75L of a pair that look to have a really bright future. Won 2nd up last prep, only question mark is if he goes on wet tracks. POUNDING as well, strung together some really strong performances at the end of last prep when placing in all 6 runs including 2 wins. Capable of running well fresh.
Race 7
3- SNAPPED
2- CHAIN OF LIGHTNING
6- SIGH
Interesting race this one, had trouble splitting SNAPPED & CHAIN OF LIGHTNING. But ultimately settled on SNAPPED who resumes today, her 1st career prep she was impressive winning her 1st 2 starts and one well at really short odds. May have the extra class that will trouble others here. CHAIN OF LIGHTNING has won all 3 career starts so far. Was ultra impressive winning on debut for the stable last start here. But does rise in weight and meets a slightly tougher field. SIGH won 1st up and then finished back in the field last start when running into bad luck, with clear running late she should threaten them.
Race 8
6- OXLEY ROAD
8- MILEVA
7- KING OF SPARTA
In their last start, it was OXLEY ROAD & MILEVA in the market as faves and it was MILEVA who was the winner that day, but like OXLEY ROAD to turn the result around today. OXLEY ROAD likes the track and hasn’t missed the placings when 3rd up. He is Group 1 placed and at his best, has a class edge against these. MILEVA was a last start winner, she is undefeated here at Caulfield but usually produces her best when 1st up, if she can keep her form from the 1st up run she will challenge. KING OF SPARTA comes across from NSW for the 1st time, he is a listed winner and a consistent performer. His best is certainly good enough, challenge will be running the anti clockwise direction under pressure.
Race 9
1- DESIGNER CHEF (EW/VALUE OF DAY)
12- SIG POSITANO
11- MAYFAIR SPIRIT
Tough race to finish off todays card. Playing DESIGNER CHEF at some decent EW value here. He is taking a sharp drop in grade, but will have to carry a big weight due to that fact. The 1st up win, he beat a handy field so his best could be good enough here. Has a wide barrier which is a concern, but with the right run should be competitive. SIG POSITANO has been around the mark each run this prep but just hasn’t managed a breakthrough win yet. Honest type and will handle the wet going. Should be around the mark again. MAYFAIR SPIRIT never really got going in his last start here. He may benefit dropping back in grade into an easier race.