Caulfield, Saturday 25/6
Conditions - Soft
Race 1
1- SHE’S ALL CLASS
2- UNUSUAL CULTURE
3- JEZOULENKO
This is a tough race so won’t be having a huge go in it, if any. SHE’S ALL CLASS is the one to watch, she is debuting for a new stable here after some runs in NSW against slick company. Her best is good enough here. UNUSUAL CULTURE is another who debuts here for a new stable. Yet to miss a placing in her light career. JEZOULENKO maps for the run of the race on the speed. Draws the inside barrier and is light at weights. Will bet he one they all need to catch.
Race 2
3- GHAANATI
2- TAUT YOU COULD
5- SHE DANCES
Tough to look past GHAANATI in this after what she displayed on debut. She found trouble, but was still too good in a sharp field, looks likely to go on with it here and win again but doesn’t represent much value. TAUT YOU COULD was a winner on debut before going for a spell right after that run. There have been subsequent winners come from her debut race so may be a strong form guide. SHE DANCES is another debut winner who is 2nd up here today. Went out and took up the lead on last start. Should get a similar run here.
Race 3
10- DANCE TO DUBAI
5- DUCHESS OF DORSET
12- BEATRIX
DANCE OF DUBAI didn’t place last start but still thought it was an impressive run considering the work she had to do from a wide barrier. Draws a lot better here today and after the claiming apprentice, will carry a very light weight and should take catching. DUCHESS OF DORSET get back to the 1100m trip where she has a record of 4:2-0-1. She is proven on wet tracks. BEATRIX is a type that really lifts in wet conditions. Currently it’s a soft 7, if there is more rain about and it gets downgraded to the heavy, she is one to consider.
Race 4
2- NO EFFORT
6- D’AGUILAR
1- GRANDSLAM
NO EFFORT won a similar race to this last start and again, looks really well placed. He will be the one they need to catch as he likes to lead. Draws barrier 1 and should get the run softly. If he is given it too easy out in front he should prove hard to catch. D’AGUILAR is on the quick back up from a race last Saturday. Rising in distance but he should be fitter here after his past couple, light at the weights and should be finishing off well. GRANDSLAM is a highly rated runner at this level and at his best, has won really well over this track and distance. Only knock on him here today is the expected wet track. He is yet to place from 4 starts on rain affected tracks.
Race 5
1- CHIEF ALTONY (BEST OF DAY)
17- COOLTH
18- EAGLES CRAG
CHIEF ALTONY looks the clear stand out in this today. He has never missed the placings over this 1600m trip and is proven to handle wet tracks. Form around him this prep is good as he has been finishing around runners who have subsequently won at Saturday grade. COOLTH is dropping in grade after a last start 2nd placing. This prep has been against tougher company but he is yet to find a win, only knock today is the wide barrier. EAGLES CRAG has been around the mark this prep having finished 2nd in both runs, has looks susceptible late but should be fitter 3rd up here.
Race 6
4- SQUID GAME
1- STARRY LEGEND
11- NICE FOR WHAT
SQUID GAME was coming home strongly last start and finished off only 1.5L behind a smart runner who won at Flemington last start. He gets weight off his back here thanks to the apprentice claim which should see him really coming home hard. STARRY LEGEND has been racing really well this prep, he has only missed the placings once in his past 5 and one of those was a win. Expect he will look to lead and give himself every chance on speed. NICE FOR WHAT could surprise at a big price. She is stepping up in grade after winning he maiden easily last start and she should get a pretty good run in this with a nice barrier and claiming apprentice taking weight off.
Race 7
8- SKYWOLF
1- CURRAN
11- THE GENERAL
Open spring race this one. Keen on SKYWOLF who has 3/4 this prep and is coming up in grades nicely. He goes well over this trip, is proven in the wet and has a light weight. CURRAN was super behind a smart runner in his last start. He is proven at this level and rates highly for the grade. Expect him to find room late in straight and be finishing it off strongly, only question on him is how he handles a heavy weight in these wet conditions. THE GENERAL maps as the race leader and will take catching. He is another who has been rising through the grades this prep and is taking another step up in grade here. Could prove hard to catch with a soft run and the light weight.
Race 8
9- CARDINAL GEM
3- ARRAN BAY
5- PHILADELPHIA STORM
CARDINAL GEM drops down in grade in this here today. His previous runs against tougher competition, he has held his own. In particular the run 2 starts back where he found a bit of bad luck mode race before almost winning. The pace will be on in this, so it should set him up nicely. ARRAN BAY can be hard to catch, but does often give a good sight at a victory. The wide barrier isn’t ideal, but he is light in weight and has good early speed. PHILADELPHIA STORM comes into this 2nd up. He improved to win 2nd up in his last prep so will have taken benefit from that last run.
Race 9
3- AND BEYOND (EW/VALUE OF DAY;
8- SIG POSITANO
4- MR EXCLUSIVE
AND BEYOND at big odds could be a surprise in this. His resuming run in a strong race was really good and he was only about 5L behind the winner who is now aimed at Group 1s. He has had good success 2nd up and on wet tracks. SIG POSITANO has been in the market in all of his past 3 runs and has been good without managing a win. Rarely missed the placings over this trip and is drawn for a soft run. MR EXCLUSIVE is 2nd up here today off the back off a similar race that was over this track/distance where he placed. A similar run to that last start would see him feature again here.