With spring in full flight, racing returns to Kensington and Caulfield this Wednesday. With competitive programs at both venues, find out who our experts are expecting to take home the cash!
Kensington Race 4
#1 Iknowastar
Iknowastar is flying. The Star Witness gelding is chasing four consecutive wins and looks well-placed meeting similar opposition. The 3kg apprentice claim could prove the winning difference, and he should get a saloon passage from the perfect inside draw. His record at the distance is the slight query.
Touristic is racing in great spirit. The Frankel gelding has trialled impressively leading into this event, and his residual fitness should be through the roof after a lengthy campaign. From barrier three, he will drift back and watch the race unfold, and if he can stay in touch with the peloton during the middle stages of the race, he can make his presence felt late. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Rathlin is ready to peak. The Fastnet Rock gelding is honest as the day is long, and he simply doesn’t know how to run a bad race. He comes to town after performing consistently in Canberra and deserves his chance to taste success in the city. The 1550m looks ideal at his stage of his preparation, and I expect him to be savaging the line late. Over the odds!
Suggested Bet: Iknowastar @ $2.50
Kensington RACE 6
#3 Whinchat
Whinchat is a super honest customer! The Russian Revolution gelding has been a dominant winner at his previous two starts, and he looks well placed in a moderate Benchmark 72. The drop back to 1300m could prove a training masterstroke, and he should get his chance to continue on his winning ways from a perfect inside draw. Big watch!
Dream Hour will have supporters after two recent and blistering barrier trials. The Dawn Approach gelding has further natural improvement to come in his career, and I suspect he can produce a career-defining preparation. The big boy will drift back and give his rivals a start, and with even luck in transit, he will appear in the shadows.
How’s It Kev will have punters excited! His first-up run at Newcastle was enormous, and he put the writing on the wall for a huge preparation. His second-up record is rock-solid, and the 1300m is in his wheelhouse. The Maher and Eustace camp will attract further market support, and I expect him to be there when the whips are cracking. Knockout chance.
Suggested Bet: Whinchat @ $6.50
Caulfield Race 2
#12 Gregolimo
Great edition of the Group 3 Coongy Cup!
Gregolimo has been smashed in early betting. The Galiway gelding turned heads in his Australian debut at Flemington, and his international form reads incredibly well for this event. His record at the distance is first-class, and he is a winner previously second-up. The inform Jamie ‘Fast’ Kah takes the ride, and he looks super dangerous jumping from an inside draw. Hard to toss!
Steinem is ready to run a big race. Her fresh run behind Mr Brightside was full of merit, and she improved sharply chasing home Amelia’s Jewel at her latest outing. The step out to 2000m is advantageous, and I expect her to explode third-up from a spell on Wednesday. The Frankel mare always performs well at Caulfield, and she will appreciate the significant class drop. Her recent winning record is the biggest deterrent.
Foujita San returned to the winners’ stall after a consistent preparation to date. The Maurice gelding deserves his chance at this level, and he looks perfectly weighted to produce a peak run for the campaign. He has been screaming out for the longer trip all spell, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on most of his rivals. The awkward barrier is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Gregolimo @ $3.60
Caulfield Race 8
#8 Faretti
Faretti is ready to peak. The I Am Invincible gelding finds his pet distance, and he traditionally produces his best performances third-up from a spell. Both outings this preparation have been ominous, and the flood of early money indicates another forward showing. From barrier five, he will roll forward and lead the field a merry dance, and if he can slow down the clock in transit, he will prove hard to run down.
Substantial can resume a winner. Both trials leading into this event have been cheeky, and his first-up record is too good to ignore. The Siyouni gelding excels over the trip, and he should get the run of the race from the middle draw. Blake Shinn could ride a broomstick to victory at present, and the Snowden camp are currently training winners for fun. Big watch!
Jennilala is too consistent to dismiss. The Shalaa mare will appreciate the significant drop in grade, and she looks dangerous jumping from barrier two. She is undefeated fresh, and her Group 1 form looks exceptionally good for a midweek Benchmark 84. Her record at the distance is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Faretti @ $9.00
