Welcome to spring! The Group 1 Memsie Stakes is the mouthwatering feature event this Saturday at Caulfield. With the Group 3 McNeil Stakes, the Heath 1100 Stakes, and the Cockram Stakes also featured on the bumper program, all roads lead to the heath! We head to Rosehill Gardens in Sydney town with a prep in our step. The Group 3 San Domenico Stakes and Up And Coming Stakes are the main attractions on a very competitive racing card.
Caulfield Race 7
#12 Expressiveness
Expressiveness is ready to win! The Shamexpress mare put the writing on the wall for a fruitful and successful spring campaign fresh at Caulfield, and she looks well placed in this company. The lightly raced six-year-old is ideally drawn, and her second-up form must be respected. She is a 1200m specialist, and I suspect she will look the winner on straightening. Hard to toss!
Caste strips fitter after producing an indifferent performance first-up. The Sir Prancealot mare does her best work at this stage of her preparation, and she has been well supported since markets opened. From the wide gate, she drifts back and watches the race unfold. If she can find another gear as they run for the doctor, I expect her to figure in the finish. Take on trust.
Suggested Bet: Expressiveness @ $4.00
CAULFIELD RACE 8
#2 Que Tempesta
Que Tempesta makes his Australian debut in a moderate edition of the Heatherlie Stakes. The Territories gelding recently won a barrier trial in fine style, and his best international form reads incredibly well for this event. The talented six-year-old has snuck under the handicapper’s guard, and if he is fully wound up for a first-up tilt, this could be a times and margins demolition. The 1700m is the most significant query.
Rise At Dawn will start race favourite after recording back-to-back victories. The progressive Almanzor gelding is going through his grades successfully, and he deserves his shot at this level on Saturday. I suspect he has the fitness edge on his rivals after a lengthy campaign, and he should be able to pilot the field with a clean break from a middle gate. Acid Test!
Suggested Bet: Que Tempesta @ $6.00
#1 Mr Brightside
Mr Brightside resumes at his pet track and distance. The Bullbars gelding won this event last year, and he has jumped out brilliantly, leading into the 2024 edition. The shorter trip plays into his favour compared to his more fancied rivals, and I suspect he will be fully wound up for his first-up assignment. With the frenetic and predicated tempo upfront, I suspect the big boy will get the perfect cart into the race. He is an owner’s dream, and I expect him to prove too strong in the shadows.
Pride Of Jenni is a super freak. Her win in the Queen Elizabeth is arguably the greatest victory produced on a racetrack this millennium. The Pride Of Dubai mare has trialled exceptionally well leading into this event, and I suspect she is in for another successful campaign. From barrier seven, she will jump and find the lure, and if she can cheat the clock throughout, she can produce another win for the ages. I would prefer to promote her over further deeper into her preparation.
cAULFIELD Race 10
#2 Another Wil
Another Wil resumes with an air of expectation. The Street Boss gelding is coming off a dominant autumn campaign, and I suspect he can take the next step during the spring. The enigmatic five-year-old only finished two lengths off the winner in the Doncaster, and he simply doesn’t know how to run a bad race. If he can overcome the carpark draw, this looks a mere formality.
Here To Shock is too consistent to pot. The Shocking gelding finds his favourite distance fresh, and he is resuming after turning heads at a recent jump out. The apprentice claim is advantageous, and he looks well placed in this company. The Group 1 competitive seven-year-old has been specked at a price in early betting, and he is a must for broader multiples and exotics. Over the odds!
Suggested Bet: Another Wil @ $2.50
Rosehill Race 6
#1 Storm Boy
The very valuable Storm Boy resumes for the mighty Coolmore empire. The Justify colt only had his colours lowered towards the end of his autumn preparation, and his form prior was irresistible. Two recent barrier trial victories will have him cherry-ripe for his first-up task, and I suspect the 1100m fresh will suit him right down to the tee! Barrier one will allow him to roll forward, and if he can find the bunny uncontested, it could be over before patrons return to their seats. Class personified.
Gatsby’s will start race favourite after an impressive first-up victory at the track and distance. The new kid on the block broke the oncourse clocks with his blistering sectionals, and I suspect he can go on with it here. The form out of the race has stood up since, and he has been absolutely hammered at his opening quote. If Storm Boy leaves the kettle on early, he can capitalise late. Major player!
Suggested Bet: Storm Boy @ $2.50
rOSEHILL Race 7
#5 Autumn Glow
Autumn Glow looks the good thing of the day! The Autumn Sun filly was ultra-impressive on debut, and she meets similar opposition here. The $1.8 million filly oozes class, and the 1300m poses no problems. She strips fitter after her first-up romp, and with even luck in transit, I expect her to greet the judge before her rivals. She is very progressive, and I suspect it will pay dividends to follow her moving forward.
Snack Bar is over the odds. The Frosted gelding was a model of consistency during the Melbourne autumn, and he deserves his shot at this level. I suspect he has plenty of upside to come this preparation, and if he can take the next step up in grade on Saturday, I expect him to make his presence felt late. Acid test!
Suggested Bet: Autumn Glow @ $2.00
