Group 1 racing returns to Caulfield this Saturday. The Blue Diamond Stakes is the feature event on the program for the two-year-olds, while our best middle-distance and sprinters will battle it out in the Futurity Stakes and Oakleigh Plate, respectively. In Sydney the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes will help paint a clearer picture for punters as we edge closer towards the richest two-year-old race on the planet, the Golden Slipper.
Caulfield Race 7
#1 Mr Brightside
Mr Brightside is set to return to the winner’s enclosure on Saturday. The people’s horse was brilliant first-up, and I suspect his form around the progressive Another Will stand-up moving forward. He finds his pet conditions here and looks extremely well placed in this company. He strips fitter after his recent outing, and with even luck in transit, I expect him to figure in the finish. What a marvel!
Evaporate can cause a major boil over if the leaders spend all of their pennies early. The Per Incanto gelding didn’t have much luck on resumption at the track, and I suspect he has plenty of improvement to come for the campaign. The big boy gets in well under weight-for-age conditions, and I expect him to make his presence felt during the final furlong. The significant rise in class is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Mr Brightside @ $2.00
Caulfield Race 8
#1 Field Of Play
The undefeated Field Of Play will have supporters after a producing a perfect start to his racing career. The Deep Field gelding looks suited over the longer trip, and I suspect he will get the ideal trip in transit from an inside draw. The inform Blake Shinn retains the ride, and with even luck in-transit, this dynamic duo can add to their already successful partnership. The big boy strips fitter after his impressive victory at Group 3 level, and he has been well supported in most all-in markets. Hard to toss!
I am prepared to forgive My Gladiola after her shock last start defeat as an odds-on favourite. The I Am Invincible filly carried on like a pork chop in the run, and she subsequently snatched defeat from the jaws of victory as a result. If she can ping the lids from the awkward gate and travel smoothly throughout, I expect her to play a major role in the finish. Her turn of foot is significant, and I suspect she has a huge engine under the bonnet. Her race day and barrier manners may decide her fate before they run for the doctor.
Suggested Bet: Field Of Play @ $5.00
#5 Rey Magnerio
Rey Magnerio is over the odds. The Magnus gelding is a model of consistency, and he deserves his shot at Group 1 glory. His record at the track and distance must be respected, and his first-up performance against a quality field should have key rivals on notice. If the talented five-year-old can camp just behind the predicated frenetic tempo, he will look the winner inside the final furlong. Acid test!
Estriella resumes with an air of expectation. The I Am Invincible mare mixed it with our best sprinters at the elite level during the spring, and she finds a very winnable assignment first-up. Her trials leading into the time-honoured event have been bombproof, and I suspect this is her major target for the autumn. The awkward gate may decide her fate during the race’s early stages.
Suggested Bet: Rey Magnerio @ $10.00
Rosehill Gardens Race 6
#3 Wodeton
Wodeton will have plenty of attention second-up. The Golden Slipper favourite will potentially start in the odds-on range on Saturday, and a soft victory could have him the shortest-priced Slipper favourite since Sepoy in 2011. The Wootton Bassett colt won his debut in a canter, and he broke all on-course clocks in the process. A recent jump-out looked ominous, and I suspect he has a fruitful and successful racing career ahead of him. The carpark draw is his biggest obstacle.
Bel Merci was an impressive winner of the Gimcrack in slick time. The Extreme Choice filly should be cherry ripe for a first-up tilt after producing three eye-catching barrier trials, and her opening quote has been reduced significantly since acceptances. A perfect inside draw will allow her to occupy the box-seat throughout, and if she sees clear air before the final furlong, she can make her presence felt late. She will be thereabouts.
Suggested Bet: Wodeton @ $2.30
Rosehill Gardens Race 7
#11 Our Anchorage
Our Anchorage is flying at present. The Galileo gelding is unbeaten this campaign, and he is building an impressive picket fence next to his name. The progressive six-year-old has been jumping through the grades successfully, and he deserves his shot at this level on Saturday. The 53kg is a luxury, and I suspect he has more upside than the majority of his rivals. If he can find the lure during the early stages of the race, the fat lady may be in full voice before they run for the doctor.
Kinesiology recorded sizzling late sectionals fresh over an unsuitable distance. The Study Of Man entire traditionally performs well second-up, and the longer trip plays into his favour. A perfect inside draw will allow him to push forward with a clean break from the barriers, and I suspect the Rosehill circuit will suit his racing pattern and style. I would prefer to promote him over further deeper into his campaign.
Suggested Bet: Our Anchorage @ $2.60
Royal Randwick Race 8
#1 Broadsiding
Broadsiding resumes after a breakthrough spring campaign. The Too Darn Hot colt won the Golden Rose fresh, and he had the audacity to run third in the hottest Cox Plate of all-time towards the end of his preparation. The valuable three-year-old has had two sharp barrier trials leading into his first-up event, and he meets a line-up he has defeated time and again. He will drift back from the awkward gate, and if he is fully wound up, I expect him to prove too strong during the concluding stages.
Public Attention was a strong first-up winner at Randwick. The Written Tycoon colt was blistering late, and I suspect he will strip fitter and improve as a result. The step out to 1400m is advantageous, and the key appointment of Joshua Parr could prove decisive. The big boy possesses a huge turn of foot, and I suspect there is a serious engine under the bonnet. I am unsure he beat the strongest rivals fresh. Take on trust.
Suggested Bet: Broadsiding @ $2.10
