The spring racing spotlight heads to Caulfield this Saturday for one of Australia’s best race days. The time-honoured Caulfield Guineas is the star attraction, while the Toorak Handicap and the Might And Power will both play the perfect support role. In Sydney town we head west to Rosehill Gardens for the Group 2 Hill Stakes. With a mountain of prizemoney up for grabs, and with the majority of the program offering black-type, spring racing has never looked so good!
Caulfield Race 7
#1 Mr Brightside
The classy Mr Brightside has been near faultless this campaign. The Bullbars gelding was a gritty winner second-up in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes, and he was game in defeat behind the tearaway Pride Of Jenni in the Feehan Stakes at his latest outing. He looks ready for the step out in trip, and his record at track must be respected. His record at 2000m is the primary concern.
Atishu looks dangerous on the quick back-up. She was good behind the world-class Via Sistina in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes, and I suspect she is ready to explode. She is well-placed in this company, and the current track conditions will suit her. From the wide gate, she will drift back and find her hooves, and if the peloton leaves the kettle on during the early stages of the race, she can capitalise late.
Suggested Bet: Mr Brightside @ $1.50
Caulfield Race 8
#1 Broadsiding
Broadsiding has one hoof on the till. The Too Darn Hot colt smashed the history books fresh in the Golden Rose, and I suspect he will take significant benefit and improvement from his first-up heroics. The progressive type will appreciate the step out in the trip, and with a clear run in transit, this could be a mere formality. The perennial Group 1 winner meets a familiar field, and a dominant victory here could set up a date with a Cox Plate tilt. Extremely hard to toss!
Public Attention is over the odds. The Written Tycoon colt has been luckless at his previous two starts, and he looks dangerous jumping from a perfect inside draw on Saturday. The enigmatic three-year-old can occupy the box seat throughout, and if the gaps appear as they run for the doctor, he can figure in the finish. Unfortunately, he can find trouble at key stages of a race.
Suggested Bet: Broadsiding @ $1.60
#2 Mornington Glory
Mornington Glory tasted Group 1 success at his latest outing. The Shalaa gelding is winning for fun at present, and he looks well placed here dropping back in grade. His versatility is underrated, and the form around him has repeatedly stood up. The big boy has been well supported since acceptances, and I expect his current quote to diminish further before the barriers open. His record at Caulfield is the biggest deterrent.
Recommendation was ok without threatening in the Group 1 Manikato behind Southport Tycoon. His form prior was sensational, and he looks more suited racing in this class. The Shalaa gelding is a hard fit, and his record on the trip speaks volumes. From barrier six he will roll forward and pilot the field, and if he finds the bunny uncontested, he may prove hard to run down.
Suggested Bet: Mornington Glory @ $4.00
Caulfield Race 10
#6 Orchestral
Orchestral is world-class. The Savabeel mare has beaten up the colts and geldings time and again in New Zealand, and her debut victory in Australia during the autumn was breathtaking. Her fresh performance over an unsuitable distance was ominous, and I suspect she is on track to cause a major boil over on Saturday. The talented four-year-old is unbeaten second-up, and her record at mile is perfect. Watch for her late!
Another Wil is flying. The Street Boss gelding has been a revelation the past twelve months, and I suspect this has been the long-range target from the astute Maher camp. He is undefeated at the heath, and his record over 1600m must be respected. The class rise and an awkward inside draw are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Orchestral @ $11.00
Rosehill Race 7
#4 Kovalica
Kovalica produced an eye-catching run in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap. The Ocean Park gelding was held up at a crucial stage, and he arguably should have finished closer to the winner. The step out in trip is advantageous, and he traditionally excels on the quick back-up. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Royal Patronage was game in defeat behind a smart one at his latest outing. The Wootton Bassett entire is rock-hard fit, and I suspect he will eat up every inch of the longer journey. His best form reads incredibly well for this event, and I expect him to start race favourite with the volume of early money. The awkward draw is his biggest obstacle.
Suggested Bet: Kovalica @ $6.00
Rosehill Race 8
#10 Gringotts
Gringotts attacked the line fresh after experiencing traffic issues. The Per Incanto gelding looked stiff not to claim victory, and he strips fitter after his near miss. The progressive five-year-old stays at his pet distance, and the 55.5kg puts him into all winning conversations. He handles all conditions, and I suspect he will get the perfect cart into the race from barrier seven. The flood of early money indicates another bold performance, and I am confident he will have a career-defining spring preparation.
Here To Shock is too consistent to pot. The Shocking gelding was a dominant winner of the Cameron Handicap at his latest outing, and I suspect he will roll forward and take up the running from the middle gate. His record and longevity at the trip is outrageous, and if he can control the tempo throughout, he will look the winner as they run for the judge. The 58.5kg and sharp class rise are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Gringotts @ $4.50
