The time-honoured Group 1 Caulfield Cup is the feature event in Melbourne this Saturday, while Sydney racing heads to Royal Randwick for the $20,000,000 Group 1 Everest.
Caulfield RACE 7
#9 Regal Ambition
Regal Ambition was a brilliant last-start winner in the traditional Thousand Guineas lead-up event. The Palace Pier filly defied the track bias, and she savaged the line from a different postcode. The longer trip suits on Saturday, and the current track conditions suit to a tee. The inform Michael Dee remains undefeated on the talented three-year-old, and the market has gravitated towards the dynamic duo. Hard to toss!
Pretty Baby was game in defeat at her latest outing. The Barbados filly was exposed as they cut the ribbons, and she was only nabbed in the shadows by a smart one. She strips fitter as a result, and her exposed form this campaign is elite. I am unsure she can produce another peak performance for the campaign, nor am I convinced she will run out a strong mile.
Suggested Bet: Regal Ambition @ $4.00
Caulfield Race 8
#3 Threads
Threads is over the odds. The Snitzel colt is winning for fun at present, and the big boy deserves his shot at this level. The Ciaron Maher-trained three-year-old is ready for the longer trip, and I suspect he has the edge on the majority of his rivals after a lengthy and fruitful preparation. This looks harder; however, the stable is flying, and he looks progressive.
Tales Of Time can bounce back after a disappointing second-up performance. The Pinatubo colt was an impressive winner fresh, and he looks well placed here against similar opposition. The six furlongs will suit, and I suspect this event has been a long-range target from the astute camp. He may need some luck seeing clear air as heads turn for home.
Suggested Bet: Threads Raise @ $14.00
#16 Zahrann
The Naturalism Stakes winner Zahrann looks poised to strike on the big stage on Saturday. The Night Of Thunder entire is more suited under the handicap conditions, and the talented five-year-old is coming off a forgive run in a messy and heavy edition of the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes. The inside draw is advantageous, and the 53kg makes him a live chance. The stable is airbourne at present, and his record at the distance must be respected. I suspect he was pulling away from the field just past the post in the Naturalism, and he enjoys Caulfield more than Might And Power. He may need some luck getting off the dulex as they run for the money.
Saint George is ready to win. His run behind his stablemate Zahrann was a beauty, and I suspect he will eat up every inch of the longer trip. An inside gate should give his supporters extra confidence, and his versatility alone puts him into all broader multiples and exotics. The track conditions suits the flashy grey to a tee, and his opening quote has been more than nibbled at. Acid test!
Suggested Bet: Zahrann @ $7.00
Royal Randwick Race 6
#13 Skybird
Skybird represents great one-way value. The Exosphere mare was a dominant last-start winner at Flemington, and I suspect she is nearing back to her best after an indifferent twelve months. The wet track is advantageous, and her pilot Ben Melham has a great relationship with the Group 1 winning mare. The brilliant six-year-old arguably should have been in the $20,000,000 feature; however, she finds a friendlier assignment here. The visitors’ draw is the biggest deterrent.
Grafterburners stormed home late and his latest outing. The Graff entire caught the eyes of punters, and the form around him has stood up time and again. He is ready to produce a peak run third-up from a spell, and the perfect inside draw will give him every opportunity. The softer conditions suit, and the inform Nash Rawiller could ride a broomstick to victory at present.
Suggested Bet: Skybird @ $9.00
Royal Randwick Race 7
#1 Ka Ying Rising
Ka Ying Rising returns to old Sydney town to reclimb the famous Everest mountain. The Shamexpress gelding is arguably in career best form, and the fact he smashes a track record every time he steps out on course, should give his rivals sleepless nights leading into Saturday’s event. With his blistering barrier speed, the wide gate is advantageous for the freakish six-year-old, and his classy jockey Zac Purton will have a menagerie of options in the run with a clean break. The current weather forecast has been mentioned more than Raygun’s Olympic flop, and the $1.50 looks over the odds. He is regarded as the best in the world for a reason. Time and margins!
Tempted is flying this campaign. The Street Boss mare has toyed with fields this preparation, and she resembled Winx recently in a traditional lead-up. The progressive four-year-old ran finished on the heels of Ka Ying Rising in this event last year, and if the heavens continue to open, she can cause a boil-over. Her turn of foot is significant, and her versatility alone brings her into all winning conversations. Unless tragedy strikes, I fear she is running for the minor end of the prize.
Suggested Bet: Ka Ying Rising @ $1.50
Royal Randwick Race 9
#5 Autumn Glow
Autumn Glow showed grit and courage at her latest victory. The Autumn Sun mare was a sitting duck, and she looked beaten for a stride or two as they charged for the winning post. The mile is her best trip, and I suspect this is her main assignment for her spring campaign. The soft range is the biggest query, however, she is too brilliant to dismiss. Thin enough in the market, and I expect her quote to jump well into the red. Class personified!
Ceolwulf is ready to win. All runs of this campaign have been good, with no luck required, and I suspect the camp has the big-boy cherry ripe for Saturday. The rain in the eastern suburbs is advantageous, and the blinkers are going on to the delight of his supporters! He will get the perfect map into the race with Pride Of Jenni racing a furlong out in front, and he finds his pet distance here. Watch for him late!
Suggested Bet: Autumn Glow @ $1.50
