The Wizard of Odds is up and about for the first Group 1 of the Victorian racing calendar.
The best bet comes up early in the program with Maddie Raymond’s mare being the one to be with.
Caulfield Race 3
#7 Turaath
Turaath is simply low-flying at the moment and progresses to Caulfield in a rich vein of form.
Maddie Raymond has this five-year-old mare hustling around the track with two wins in a row.
Her Sandown-Lakeside and Flemington victories were that of a very smart horse and she positions herself close in the run, which makes her very appealing to bet on.
She gets into this race on the minimum weight with 54kgs and Jye McNeil retains the ride from barrier five.
Expecting her to be pinged to the lead and getting this lot chasing from a long way out.
Suggested Bet: Turaath win at $2.10
Caulfield Race 4
#9 Heresy
Heresy smashed the line when racing first-up from a spell in her three-year-old season.
The James Cummings filly settled in too far back over 1100 metres when resuming from a spell and was savaging the line behind the heavily backed Gimmie Par.
She was only beaten by half-a-length and is sure to have some improvement under her belt from a fitness perspective.
Barrier 12 was not exactly ideal for her last start either and she now draws a better barrier.
Damien Oliver can get to settle better that midfield with some cover and she has the sharp sprint to beat this field of boys.
Suggested Bet: Heresy win at $4.8
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 1, 2, 9
Caulfield Race 7
#14 Mr Money Bags
Mr Money Bags is ready to run a peak race into his campaign.
His last start effort at Caulfield over 1400 metres really sent the alarm bells ringing after he scorched home up the straight to make ground on the very smart Elephant who looks a genuine group horse in the making.
The step up in grade is obviously offset by a big drop in the weights with the assigned 59kgs from a fortnight ago in BM-84 grade dropping down to only 54kgs here.
Lindsey Smith has a knack of getting his horses to hold their form and improve as they get out in trip and get deeper into their preparations.
Declan Bates combines with his Smith to guide this horse around Caulfield and barrier right looks a treat for him.
Should settle in the first half of the field with cover and be able to produce his run without any interference.
We will be collecting the Money Bags if he wins!
Suggested Bet: Mr Money Bags each-way at $9 the win and $3 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 1, 2, 14/ 1, 2, 7, 12, 14/ 1, 2, 7, 12 ,14
Caulfield Race 8
#10 Tofane
Tofane could not be in any better form than she is currently is right now.
The six-year-old mare ventured up to Queensland and scored a Group 1 double by winning the Stradbroke Handicap and Tatts Tiara.
She has since had a gap between runs but has had two very nice jumpouts to keep her ticking over for this tilt at another Group 1 triumph.
The danger to her is obviously last year’s winner Behemoth, but he draws awkwardly in barrier nine.
Tofane draws beautifully in barrier four and Craig Williams will settle her in a perfect spot to ensure she gets the best run possible.
The saying ‘mares in form, stay in form’ rings true here and expect her to start favourite.
Suggested Bet: Tofane win at $4.4