The Group 3 Manfred Stakes is the feature event this Saturday at Caulfield. With the Blue Diamond Previews for the colts, geldings, and fillies, also taking centre stage, all roads lead to the Heath! In old Sydney town, we head to Royal Randwick for the Listed Carrington Stakes, while the Listed Sunshine Coast Cup is front and centre in sunny Queensland.
Caulfield Race 3
#11 La Gitana
La Gitana looks classy. The Home Affairs filly makes her racing debut for the powerful Hayes camp, and she has caught the attention of punters recently at the trials. The expensive two-year-old is from a proven family, and I suspect she will be cherry ripe for a first-up tilt. The inside draw puts one hoof on the till, and her opening quote has been well supported. Big watch!
Angels Fury will have plenty of supporters after a recent jump-out. The Harry Angel scorched the turf throughout, and she put the writing on the wall for a fresh victory. The Ciaron Maher factor will play a role, and I suspect she will jump race favourite if the early money continues. She could be the real deal!
Suggested Bet: La Gitana @ $11.00
Caulfield Race 7
#7 Beast Mode
Beast Mode will go faster than last week’s pay. The Better Than Ready gelding doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and his front-running style is visually spectacular. With a clean break from the barriers, he will guide the field, and if he can record some soft sectionals during the middle stages of the event, the race could be over as heads turn for home. The final furlong is his biggest obstacle.
Way To The Stars is ultra-consistent. The big boy was good without scoring fresh, and he finds a very winnable second-up assignment. He traditionally performs well at this stage of his campaign, and he sees his pet distance on Saturday. A recent jump-out looked ominous, and I suspect his opening quote will continue to shorten. He tends to find one or two better at the pointy end of a contest.
Suggested Bet: Beast Mode @ $3.00
#9 Custom
Custom can make a statement first-up. The Stress Boss filly resumes after a productive spring preparation and boasts some serious form against proven gallopers. The classy three-year-old possesses a devastating turn of foot, and she looks well placed to start her autumn spell on a winning note. Her racing pattern and style always requires an element of good fortune.
Romantic Encounter has been heavily supported in most all-in markets. The Ghaiyyath colt is untapped, and I suspect he has a long and successful racing career in front of him. A recent barrier trial was first-class, and his camp are training winners for fun at present.
I am unsure if the inside draw and the tight turning Caulfield circuit will help or hinder his chances.
Suggested Bet: Custom @ $5.50
Royal Randwick Race 7
#3 Sun God
Sun God looks the best bet on tricky and competitive Randwick program. The Fastnet Rock gelding is knocking on the door, and he is racing better than his form reads in the bible. The drop-in class will be appreciated, and I suspect he is rock-hard fit after a lengthy campaign. He is a winner previously at the distance, and the James McDonald and Chris Waller factor must be respected. Hard to toss!
Dances With Hooves is over the odds. The Real Steel mare deserves her shot at this level, and she comes in extremely well at the weights after the 2kg apprentice claim. Her record at the distance is outrageous, and her country trainer has a healthy winning city strike rate. From barrier four, she will drift back and find her hooves, and if she is within striking distance as they charge for the judge and jury, she can loom to win late. Acid test!
Suggested Bet: Sun God @ $3.90
Royal Randwick Race 5
#5 Whinchat
Whinchat returned to the winners’ circle at Wyong in devastating fashion. The Russian Revolution gelding looked the winner a long way from home, and his rivals were always racing for the minor end of the prize. The step out in trip is advantageous, and I suspect he will jump close to the red if the avalanche of money continues. The 56kg is a luxury, and he meets the usual suspects on Saturday. The carpark draw is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Whinchat @ $3.50
Sunshine Coast Race 8
#1 Rockribbed
Rockribbed is racing well this campaign. The rising nine-year-old narrowly missed out on a hat-trick of victories at his latest outing, and he looks well placed dropping back in class for this Listed event. The Night Of Thunder gelding is rock-hard fit after a lengthy spell, and I suspect his best performance here would prove too strong for his rivals. The Ryan Maloney and Tony Gollan combination should raise eyebrows, and the current track conditions put one hoof on the till. Over the odds!
Anemacore will start as the favourite after producing an impressive preparation to date. The Unusual Suspect gelding is in career-best form, and he deserves his shot at this level on Saturday. Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michael Rodd takes the reins, and his opening price has been more than nibbled at since acceptances. From barrier three, he will occupy the box-seat throughout, and if he sees clear air before the final furlong, he can fight out the finish.
Suggested Bet: Rockribbed @ $8.00
