The Wizard of Odds goes through the runner-by-runner preview of the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas from Caulfield.
Will James Cummings finally taste success in this race with three-year-old star Anamoe?
#1 Anamoe
James Cummings
The barrier draw means Damien Oliver is going to be at his wizardry best to get this star three-year-colt over the line.
We know ‘Ollie’ is more than capable of getting the job done and this horse has absolute panels on the field.
He will have to chance his arm and go forward given this is a Group 1 and is the grand final for this freak galloper.
His Golden Rose runner-up finish behind In The Congo would win this race by nearly three lengths.
Only caveat is the barrier, but has to be on top.
Odds: $2.70 the win
Finishing position: First
#2 Artorius
Anthony & Sam Freedman
Has been a bit of a pest for punters since his barnstorming win in the Blue Diamond.
Was a beaten $3 favourite first-up at Caulfield and then a beaten $1.5 shot in the Exford Plate, before rocketing home to finish fourth in the Golden Rose.
Not sure the inside barrier really suits his get-back run-on style of racing but must be a top-three chance on what he has produced to date.
Odds: $3.80
Finishing position: Second
#3 Tiger of Malay
Richard & Michael Freedman
The second of the China Horse Club Racing colts who is ready to strike from the perfect barrier.
He is going to get a gem of a run from barrier one just in behind the leaders and, if the luck goes his way at the top of the straight, he might just very well pinch the race.
Odds: $12 the win and $3.8 the place
Finishing position: Third
#4 Alpine Edge
A J & T Edmonds
Can improve with a better ride after being restrained to take a sit in behind a crawling tempo.
Not sure if he has the class of some of the top picks, but will do no work in the run to find a handy spot.
Odds: $16 the win and $4.6 the place.
Finishing position: Ninth
#5 Capitvant
Peter & Paul Snowden
Can rarely leave a Peter & Paul Snowden runner out of a race and not be worried.
Think this is the case where we do not have to worry too much about this galloper being a winning chance after being well held in the Golden Rose.
Odds: $26 the win and $6 the place.
Finishing position: Seventh
#6 Lightsaber
Peter Moody
Lightsaber has the Peter Moody grand-final polish on him, but will need to find at least another four to five lengths if he is to defeat Anamoe.
He is drawn to be posted wide without cover and his win last start was in slow time.
Needs to step up to be considered a winning threat.
Odds: $7 the win and $2.5 the place
Finishing position: Sixth
#7 Giannis
Chris Waller
The in-form Group 1 rider of Victoria in Brett Prebble takes the ride.
Looked to be run off his feet in the Golden Rose last start, but in this race he will find a spot much closer from a soft barrier.
Big chance to sneak into the top three, but have him fourth pick.
Odds: $26 the win and $6 the place
Finishing position: Fourth
#8 Forgot You
Trent Butsuttin & Natalie Young
Found himself in a brutally run Stutt Stakes and it might be enough to have him peaking for this race.
Problem for him is the barrier.
He will likely end up settling last and looking for luck from the rear of the field, but with the way Daniel Moor is riding, he might just find a way through.
Odds: $16 the win and $4.6 the place
Finishing position: Fifth
#9 Coastwatch
Chris Waller
Proved himself as a genuine Group 1 horse last start when running a career best in the Golden Rose.
He did start long odds in the race and the step-up to the mile might just be a touch too difficult for him here.
Prefer if he was drawn closer to inside, tough to see him finding a finishing burst at the mile if he settles in the rear half of the field as predicted.
Odds: $14 the win and $4.2 the place
Finishing position: Eighth
#10 Mr Mozart
M, W & J Hawkes
Had the measure of Artorius in the Exford Plate but did start almost five times the price.
Was nabbed right on the line in the Stutt Stakes after having to chase down a brutal tempo.
That run over the mile should bring him up to the mark, but with a heap of speed in this race, doubt he can handle this race without leading.
Odds: $14 the win and $4.2 the place.
Finishing position: Tenth
#11 Daily Bugle
Robbie Griffiths & Mathew De Kock
Lacks early speed and is a minimal chance in this race.
Market has his price pretty much spot on.
Odds: $41 the win and $8.5 the place
Finishing position: Eleventh
#12 Knightstown
Gordon Richards & Damien Moyle
Struggled to keep in a weak handicap race at Sandown.
Unlikely to feature.
Odds: $101 the win and $21 the place.
Finishing position: Seventeeth
#13 Dark Rebel
Edward Cummings
Finished last in the Gloaming Stakes.
Not good enough to get close in this.
Odds: $101 the win and $26 the place
Finishing position: Sixteenth
#14 Zerelle
Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
Was involved in a blanket finish with a photo finish needed to seperate him and three other horses.
That race was a BM-64 and is no where near the class of this field.
Odds: $101 the win and $26 the place.
Finishing position: 14th
#15 Riverplate
Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
An intriguing runner who can improve with the blinkers going on for the first time.
That said, what he has dished up to date has not been good enough to win a race let alone a Caulfield Guineas.
Odds: $41 the win and $8.5 the place.
Finishing position: Fifteenth
#16 Prix De Turn
Matthew Brown
Defied his starting price of $41 on debut last start ot suggest he has a nice level of talent that will be winning races.
Set an impossible task to win a Caulfield Guineas at only a second career start.
Odds: $31 the win and $7 the place
Finishing position: Thirteenth
#17 Hitotsu
Ciaron Maher & Dave Eustace
First emergency.
Will need a scratching to get a run, but can finish better than his odds suggest.
Odds: $31 the win and $6.5 the place.
Finishing position: Twelfth
