The Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes takes centre stage this Saturday at the Heath. With the time-honoured Group 1 Futurity Stakes and Oakleigh Plate staring as the perfect support acts, I suspect a healthy crowd will be trackside at Caulfield on Saturday. In Sydney, there is a menagerie of group events at Rosehill Gardens, and with the wet weather finally clearing up, autumn racing has never looked so good in the western suburbs.
Caulfield Race 7
#1 Mr Brightside
Mr Brightside was a breathtaking winner first-up at the track and distance. He made up six lengths on his opponents from the point of the home turn, showcasing his versatility after bombing the start. The Bullbars gelding will strip fitter after his recent outing, and with even luck-transit, he can continue his love affair with the 1400m at Caulfield. Winners keep on winning!
Nugget will be hitting the line hard. The Siyouni gelding is a quality weight-for-age galloper, and he simply doesn’t know how to run a bad race. He traditionally performs well first-up, and I expect him to pinch a Group 1 feature during his autumn campaign. It may pay dividends to follow moving forward.
Suggested Bet: Mr Brightside @ $1.50
Caulfield RACE 8
#13 Lady Of Camelot
Lady Of Camelot was ultra-impressive first-up. The talented two-year-old put her rivals to the sword a long way from home, and her late sectionals broke all on course clocks. The Written Tycoon filly oozes class, and she is perfectly drawn to do no work throughout on Saturday. The form around her has stood up time and again, and the flood of early money indicates another bold performance. The 1200m looks ideal at this stage of her preparation, and I suspect Gai Waterhouse has her cherry ripe for the $2,000,000 assignment. Hard to toss!
Bodyguard will have supporters after producing an arrogant and tradesmen-like victory first-up. The I Am Invincible colt leisurely eased himself into the race, and when the go button was pressed, he grew an extra leg. I suspect he has a huge engine under the bonnet, and I doubt the six furlongs will pose any problems for the big boy. He could be special!
Suggested Bet: Lady Of Camelot @ $5.00
Caulfield Race 9
#8 Benedetta
Benedetta is a very smart and talented mare. The daughter by Hellbent has been near faultless in her ten career starts to date, and she looks incredibly well placed here fresh, only carrying 53kg. From barrier five, she can camp just behind the speed, and if she produces her monster turn of foot late, I expect her to make her presence felt in the shadows. Over the odds!
Sghirripa is the new kid on the block. The Lonhro gelding has been progressing through his grades effortlessly, and he deserves his shot at Group 1 glory on Saturday. His recent barrier trial put the writing on the wall for a forward performance, and his camp are training winners for fun at present. The carpark draw and dramatic class rise are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Benedetta @ $9.50
Rosehill Race 7
#6 Lady Laguna
Lady Laguna is one of the better bets on a tricky program of racing. The Overshare mare is flying at present, and she is starting to build a nice picket fence next to her name. The Annabel Neasham trained four-year-old looks well placed against her own sex, and her record at the trip must be respected. Only bad luck in transit can stop her from recording another victory!
Zougotcha is the class runner of the field. The Zoustar mare boasts form around some serious Group 1 winners, and her best performance here could be fences and panels better than her rivals. Her spring never went to plan, and if she can recapture her mojo, she can cause the biggest boil-over since Polly left the kettle on.
Suggested Bet: Lady Laguna @ $2.20
Rosehill Race 8
#1 Tom Kitten
Tom Kitten recorded the fastest closing sectionals of his race first-up over an unsuitable distance. The Harry Angel colt is in for a big autumn preparation, and I suspect on class alone, he can get the job done on Saturday. He has performed well previously, over 1400m, and his second-up record must be respected. From barrier four, he will drift back and watch the race unfold, and if Nash Rawiller sees daylight on the Group 1 winner before the final furlong, he can loom and win.
Ducasse broke his maiden status in stunning fashion at his latest outing. He looked classes above his rivals, and I expect him to now springboard into a fruitful autumn campaign as a result. The step out to 1400m is advantageous, and the Trapeze Artist colt has been specked at a price since market opened. This is his acid test!
Suggested Bet: Tom Kitten @ $4.00
Rosehill Race 9
#2 Derry Grove
Derry Grove was beaten by a bee’s appendage second-up. The Star Turn gelding loomed to win, and only the cameraman could determine the result in a busy finish that resembled Pitt Street Mall during Christmas shopping. The consistent five-year-old meets easier opposition, and the step out 1100m is ideal third-up from a spell. His Magic Millions victory is still fresh in the memory bank, and I expect his quote to shorten significantly before the barrier open. The wide alley is the primary concern.
Brudenell was very strong in a blanket finish at his latest outing. The 1100m is in his wheelhouse, and the 3kg apprentice could prove the winning difference. From barrier five the Russian Revolution gelding will pilot the field, and if he is left to his own devices, he could lead his rivals a merry dance.
Suggested Bet: Derry Grove @ $6.00
