Caulfield and Royal Randwick host the feature programs this Saturday. The Group 1 Caulfield Guineas is the main event at the heath, while the $20,000,000 Everest will attract a capacity crowd to the eastern suburbs of Sydney. Join our experts as they outline their best bets on Australia’s greatest race day!
Caulfield Race 7
#1 Alligator Blood
Caulfield RACE 9
#4 Steparty
The undefeated Steparty is tailormade for a tilt at the Caulfield Guineas. The Artie Schiller colt has turned heads at both outings this preparation, and the mile looks ideal third-up from a spell. His blistering turn of foot is superb, and his versatility could prove the winning difference. From barrier seven, the talented commodity has a menagerie of options, and with even luck in-running, I expect him to make his presence felt when the whips are cracking. His high cruising speed is exceptional, and if he is dealt an average hand, he has the class to overcome and prevail. Top notch!
King Colorado can bounce back after an indifferent performance in the Group 1 Golden Rose. He was comfortably held. However, he finished less than the two lengths from the winning trio. The step out to 1600m is advantageous, and I suspect he has been trained to explode third-up from a spell. From the middle gate, he will drift back and sit midfield with cover, and if Michael Dee presses the ‘go’ button at the right time, he can prove too strong late. The form around him is first-class, and I expect an improved performance on Saturday.
Suggested Bet: Steparty @ $3.60
Caulfield Race 10
#14 Here To Shock
Randwick Race 6
#15 I Am Me
I Am Me can bounce back after a disappointing second-up performance. The I Am Invincible mare has trialled well since, and she finds her pet distance on Saturday. From barrier thirteen, she will jump and lead, and if she can catch a mid-race breather, she will look the winner as the field climb the famous Randwick rise. The stable has a high opinion of the talented five-year-old, and she looks well placed in this company. Hard to toss!
Airman blew his rivals away at his latest outing. He deserves his chance at this level, and I suspect he has further natural improvement to come for the preparation. From barrier nine, he will drift back and watch the race unfold, and if he doesn’t get too far out of his ground during the early stages of the race, he can figure in the finish. This is his acid test.
Suggested Bet: I Am Me @ $6.50
Randwick Race 7
#3 Think About It
Think About It will be prominent after a tradesman-like performance first-up in the Group 2 Shorts over 1100m. He strips fitter here, and the step out to 1200m is advantageous at this stage of his preparation. The picket fence next to his name keeps growing, and I suspect the connections were delighted when barrier five was shown above Sydney Harbour on Tuesday night. The big boy is suited under the weight-for-age conditions and will look the winner at the top of the final furlong. Big watch.
Buenos Noches is over the odds. A luckless run behind Private Eye and Overpass reads exceptionally well for this event, and he should get a perfect cart into the race from barrier eight. He is ready for the six-furlong trek up the mountain, and I expect him to explode third-up from a spell on the biggest stage of all. He has the ‘X’ factor, and the race should plan out perfectly for him in the run. Upside galore!
Suggested Bet: Think About It @ $4.20
Randwick Race 9
#2 Mr Brightside
Mr Brightside is Australia’s premier racehorse. His form this campaign is faultless, and he looks to have this $5,000,000 event at his mercy. His record at the mile is outrageous, and he seems to be improving with each run this preparation. A win here would almost sew up the 2023/2024 Horse of the Year honours, and it would take bad luck in running to stop him from figuring in the finish here. Sit back and enjoy this marvel!
Kovalica looked a good thing beaten in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap. The Ocean Park gelding bombed the start; he got checked at a crucial stage, yet he was only beaten a pimple. From barrier fifteen, he will sit in the second half of the field, and with a change of fortune in transit, I expect him to be savaging the line late. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of luck. There’s plenty of upside, and the Chris Waller factor should never be underestimated.
Suggested Bet: Mr Brightside @ $2.25
