The time-honoured Caulfield Cup is the main event this Saturday at the heath. The richest 2400m handicap in the world always attracts a cracking field, and it plays a significant role in shaping the race that stops a nation. With the Ethereal Stakes, Moonga Stakes, Caulfield Sprint, and Tristarc Stakes featured on the stunning program, all roads lead to Caulfield.
In Sydney Town, Royal Randwick hosts the 8th running of the world’s richest race on turf, the $20,000,000 Everest. With the $5,000,000 King Charles III and the $2,000,000 Sydney Stakes and The Kosciusko also starring on the card, the Eastern Suburbs is the place to be.
How good is spring racing!
Caulfield Race 7
#8 Rey Magnerio
Rey Magnerio was brilliant fresh behind the flying Jimmysstar. The Magnus gelding is undefeated second-up, and the 53kg allocated weight puts him into all winning conversations. From barrier five, he can sit midfield with cover, and if he is presented with his run at the right time, I expect him to figure in the finish. The camp are training winners for fun at present, and I suspect he is in for another fruitful and successful spring campaign. Hard to toss!
Estriella is coming off a forgive run. She looked to have every chance piloting the field in the Group 1 Manikato, and punters were left scratching their heads when she faded early into the home straight. The versatile I Am Invincible mare looks well placed in this company, and her best performance here could be fences and panels better than her rivals. The 59kg and her current form are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Rey Magnerio @ $4.50
Caulfield Race 8
#4 Skybird
Skybird is knocking on the door. Both runs this campaign have been sensational without winning, and I suspect she been trained to explode third-up from a spell on Saturday. The form around her has stood up time and again, and I expect her to get the perfect cart into the race with the predicated frenetic on-speed tempo. Her record at the track and distance are among the primary concerns.
Mollynickers was luckless at her latest outing. The track condition didn’t suit, and she was hampered at a key stage of the race. The Pierro mare is better than her current form reads in the bible, and I suspect it may pay dividends to forget she went around at headquarters. She is edging towards a peak performance for the campaign, and she looks over the odds. Form is temporary, class is permanent.
Suggested Bet: Skybird @ $4.50
#13 Zardozi
Zardozi was ultra-brave in the Group 1 Metropolitan. The Kingman mare covered more ground than the early settlers throughout, and she was only nabbed on the wire. The talented four-year-old argued the result in the stewards’ room, and the final result left some punters fuming. The Godolphin marvel has the miles in legs to challenge on Saturday, and I suspect she been set to the minute for the time-honoured feature event. The 51kg is a luxury; if she can find some cover from the awkward barrier, I expect her to figure in the finish.
Buckaroo is flying at present. The Fastnet Rock gelding was an impressive winner two starts back in the Underwood Stakes, and the consistent six-year-old was game in defeat at his latest outing in the Turnbull Stakes behind a world-class mare. The form around him is rock-solid, and the longer trip looks ideal at this stage of his campaign. The Chris Waller factor must be respected, and I suspect he will jump as the race favourite.
Suggested Bet: Zardozi @ $8.00
Randwick Race 7
#7 Sunshine In Paris
Sunshine In Paris has been at home in her barn relaxing while the other Everest hopefuls have been battling it out trying to earn a slot. Her first-up win in the Group 2 Sheraco was breathtaking in slick time, and I suspect she is ready to reach a new level here. Her record at the track and distance speaks volumes, and she possesses a ridiculous turn of foot. The Invader mare traditionally flies after a freshen-up, and I expect her to get the perfect cart into the race. This is her time to shine!
Stefi Magnetica is over the odds. The Group 1 Stradbroke winner turned heads fresh behind the classy I Am Me, and the step out to 1200m looks ideal second-up from a spell. The All Too Hard mare has plenty of upside and progression to come, and a recent barrier trial sent chills down the spines of her rivals. Her racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: Sunshine In Paris @ $11.00
Randwick Race 8
#10 War Machine
War Machine is very progressive. The Harry Angel gelding was good, fresh behind a smart one, and I suspect he will appreciate the longer trip at this stage of his campaign. The untapped gelding is building an impressive career record, and he deserves he shot at this level on Saturday. The enigmatic four-year-old looks dangerous jumping from a perfect inside barrier, and if he can find a soft lead early, he may prove hard to run down. Acid test.
Kimochi will have supporters after racing extremely well both starts this campaign. The Brave Smash mare caught the eye late in the Group 1 Manikato, and she looks well placed in this company. She traditionally performs well third-up from a spell, and the step out to 1300m is advantageous. The awkward alley may determine her fate during the race’s early stages.
Suggested Bet: War Machine @ $8.00
Randwick Race 9
#9 Pride Of Jenni
Pride Of Jenni is a marvel. The Pride Of Dubai mare has a unique racing style and is a great endorsement for the sport of kings. Her latest dominant victory in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes was electric, and the form out of the race has already subsequently produced a Group 1 winner. She will jump and find the bunny from the wide gate, and if an opponent doesn’t cart the rest of the field up to her heels throughout, the race will be over a long way from home. Sit back and enjoy the show!
Fangirl won like Winx at her latest outing. The Sebring mare put a hot field to the sword a minute from home, and she started to ease down for the photo at the top of the final furlong. Barrier four will allow her to settle slightly closer in-transit, and if Jenni spends her pennies before they run for the doctor, she will be the one to captialise late. I unsure she will be able to make up the many lengths on the tearaway leader.
Suggested Bet: Pride Of Jenni @ $2.15
