The runner-by-runner preview of the Caulfield Stakes which sees Zaaki our odds-on favourite.
Will anyone take his crown as the best Weight-for-Age in the country?
#1 Homesman
Anthony & Sam Freedman
Took home the coveted Australia Cup in the Autumn Carnival and has faced Zaaki twice since then.
Zaaki has thrashed him on both occasions and expect nothing to change here.
Odds: $10 the win and $2.60 the place
Finishing position: Third
#2 Zaaki
Annabel Neasham
Continued his impressive winning streak by easily scoring victory in the Underwood Stakes at Sandown last start.
He seemed to secure that win on talent after doing a little bit wrong in the run to winning post.
Craig Williams hops back aboard him as the pair use this race to tune up for the Cox Plate in a fortnight time.
With Homesman and No Effort engaged in the battle for the early lead, the race is going to set up perfectly for him.
Expect this event to be run at a genuine tempo with Zaaki slotting into the one-out and one-back position.
If you’re happy to take the $1.22, go for it.
Odds: $1.22 the win.
Finishing position: First
#3 Nonconformist
Grahame Begg
Had the perfect run in the Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield last start and held on victory to qualify for the Caulfield Cup.
He is going to be using this race as a building platform to the Caulfield Cup and probably just lacks the class and sharpness of the top three picks.
Begg has him going the best he has ever gone in his racing career and would likely be happy to get within four to five lengths of Zaaki.
Odds: $15 the win and $3.8 the place.
Finishing position: Fifth
#4 Nickajack Cave
Peter Moody
Made his Australian debut in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) after being imported from Ireland by Peter Moody.
He was beaten six lengths when finishing 10th of 14 runners and was immediately spelled.
Looks to have acclimatised from what he has shown at his two ump outs and a trial to get him ready for this first-up crack at 2000 metres.
Can run a cheeky race at huge odds, but will not be beating the favourite.
Odds: $51 the win and $13 the place.
Finishing position: Fourth
#5 Probabeel
Jamie Richards
Could easily make the argument that she is in career-best form.
She loomed up to beat Zaaki in the Underwood Stakes a fortnight ago, but was proven the inferior galloper of the two.
Still, she looks great value to fill the place in this race.
She will be the tracking the lead speed from her inside barrier and will have Zaaki and Craig Williams attempting to pocket her from the wider barrier.
Odds: $6 the win and $1.8 the place
Finishing position: Second
#6 No effort
Gavin Bedggood
The stable star for the Gavin Bedggood team.
This is probably a bridge too far for her despite the speed map looking as though she will get her favoured front-running role in the lead.
She will try her big heart out, but want to see her down in grade to consider a serious winning hope.
Odds: $31 the win and $7 the place
Finishing position: Last
