Group 1 racing is back! The time-honoured C.F. Orr Stakes takes centre stage at Caulfield, and with a menagerie of Group races on the card, the Heath will be rocking. The Inglis Millenium will ensure punters flock to Randwick, and with $2,000,000 up for grabs, the official start to the autumn has never looked so good!
caulfield Race 8
#4 Asfoora
Asfoora is a star. She doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and she boasts some serious form around the best sprinting mare in the world, Imperatriz. Her first-up record is near perfect, and she is an 1100m specialist. The Group 1 competitive Flying Artie mare looks well placed in this company, and with even luck in transit on Saturday, her love affair with Caulfield will continue. Oakleigh Plate bound!
Rey Magnerio has been a revelation this preparation. He is winning for fun and deserves his shot at this level. He was an impressive last-winner at the track and distance, and he lowered the colours of a very smart galloper. The class rise and barrier fifteen are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Asfoora @ $2.45
Caulfield RACE 9
#1 Mr Brightside
Mr Brightside has been a pleasure to watch over the last 18 months. The Bullbars gelding has claimed most of our lucrative Group 1 races during his last two preparations, and he arguably should have won the W.S. Cox Plate during the spring. The All-Star Mile winner loves the track and distance, and he looks fences and panels above his rivals. The classy six-year-old isn’t unbeatable; if he can produce a typical tradesman-like performance, he will prove too strong for his opponents on Saturday. He is a killer!
Pride Of Jenni burned the turf during the spring. The Pride Of Dubai mare led her rivals a merry dance in both the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes and Group 1 Kennedy Champions Mile, and she was visually stunning in both breathtaking performances. Her fresh record must be respected, and I suspect she will pilot the field from a perfect inside draw. Her racing style is great for the sport, and I expect her to look the winner on straightening.
Suggested Bet: Mr Brightside @ $1.85
caulfield Race 10
#2 Exploring
Exploring can bounce back after producing an average first-up performance. She covered ground during the race’s early stages, and she got caught facing the breeze. The Brazen Beau filly has trialled exceptionally well since, and her form this time twelve months ago was irresistible. From barrier ten, she will ping the lids and find the bunny, and if she is left to her own devices on top of the speed, she can return to the winners’ enclosure. Over the odds!
Blanc De Blanc will start as the favourite after turning heads at the jump-outs. The I Am Invincible filly was luckless for the majority of her spring campaign, and I suspect the camp will be looking to atone during the autumn. She will occupy the box seat from the barrier, and if the gaps appear at the top of the straight, I expect her to figure it out in the finish. She unfortunately has the ability to find trouble in-transit.
Suggested Bet: Exploring @ $10.00
Randwick Race 7
#1 Odinson
Odinson has a chance to snare a $2,000,000 race at his third career start. Well done to Peter V’landys and Racing NSW, proactivity at its finest. The Night Of Thunder colt has been impressive in both outings, and his last-start win in the Inglis Nursery was first-class. He has trialled well since, and I suspect the 1100m will be advantageous after a little freshen-up. If he can get off the rail as they run for the doctor, I expect him to figure in the finish.
Fully Lit will start favourite after producing a strong win on debut. The Hellbent colt looked the real deal, and his sizzling late sectionals broke the on-course clocks. He has been well supported in early betting, and I suspect his quote will continue to shorten until the barriers open. Jumping from Bondi is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Odinson @ $5.00
Randwick Race 8
#3 Derry Grove
Derry Grove snatched victory from the jaws of defeat last start at the Magic Millions. It was one for the performances of the day, and he his owners’ were well remunerated for his last stride heroics. The Star Turn gelding is a model of consistency, and he looks well-placed in this company. The addition of the inform Tommy Berry is a positive, and his second-up record must be respected. From barrier six, he will sit midfield with cover, and if he is presented with his run at the right time, I suspect he may prove too sharp for his rivals over the 1000m. Great each-way value.
The undefeated Frilled will start race favourite. The Star Witness mare has been dominant in the lower grades, and she continues to pass any test that is thrown at her. Two recent barrier trials will prepare her for a first-up tilt, and she looks dangerous jumping from a perfect inside draw. The 53kg could prove a winning difference, and she handles all track conditions. This is her acid test.
Suggested Bet: Derry Grove @ $6.50
Randwick Race 9
#8 Amor Victorious
Amor Victorious looks one of the better bets on a tricky Randwick program. The Caravaggio gelding led throughout at his latest outing, and he put his rivals to the sword a long way from home. He traditionally performs well second-up, and I suspect the 52kg feather on his back will give his opponents nightmares leading into Saturday’s event. The mile looks perfect at this stage of his campaign, and the middle gate will provide the big options during the race’s early stages. The class rise is the only deterrent.
Lord Ardmore is over the odds. The Reliable Man gelding is ready to peak, and the drop back to the mile could prove a training masterstroke. The form around him has repeatedly stood up this campaign, and he gallantly chased home a smart one who broke the track record at his latest. He needs to put another win on the board!
Suggested Bet: Amor Victorious @ $2.10
