The Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and Thousand Guineas take centre stage this Saturday at Caulfield. With the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes also featuring on the bumper card of racing, the Melbourne spring carnival continues to impress! The $1,000,000 Hunter will ensure a healthy crowd heads to beautiful Broadmeadow in Newcastle in what looks like an exciting and intriguing meeting for the Novacastrians. Join our experts as they outline their best bets!
Caulfield Race 6
#3 Snapback
Caulfield RACE 7
#3 Skybird
Skybird produced a lethal turn of foot to score at Moonee Valley. The undefeated Exosphere filly has impressed punters in all performances to date, and she has the rare opportunity to taste Group 1 glory at her fourth career start. From barrier two, the versatile three-year-old can camp on the leader’s back, and if the gaps appear at the right time, I expect her to prove too strong late. The real deal!
Coeur Volante is building the picket fence next to her name. The Proisir filly will relish the step out to the mile, and I suspect she will get the gun run from a middle gate. She has already recorded a victory at Caulfield, and the inform Blake Shinn could ride a broomstick to victory at present. Big watch.
Suggested Bet: Skybird @ $3.60
Caulfield Race 8
#1 Vilana
Caulfield Race 9
#3 Brayden Star
Brayden Star was home and hosed in the Bendigo Cup. He was grabbed in the shadows by Interpretation, who subsequently performed admirably in the race that stops the nation. The drop back to 2000m is advantageous, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on most of his rivals. The Twilight Son entire will sit midfield with cover, and if Damien Oliver presents him with his run at the right time, I expect him to capitalise when the chips are being pushed in.
Maktoob will start race favourite after recording consecutive victories. The Awtaad gelding steps out to the longer trip for the first time, and he should save every inch of ground jumping from a perfect inside draw. He is building an enviable career record and deserves his shot at this level on Saturday. This is his acid test!
Suggested Bet: Brayden Star @ $7.00
Newcastle Race 7
#12 Just In Time
Just In Time can bounce back after an indifferent performance at Flemington. The speed up front was farcical, and the Justify filly was never a realistic winning chance. Her debut win was electric, and the form out of the race has repeatedly stood up. From barrier four, I suspect she will sit in the box seat, and I am confident the long Broadmeadow home straight will suit her racing pattern and style. There is plenty of upside, and she looks excellent each-way value.
Invincible Spy will start favourite after an impressive start to his career. The I Am Invincible colt remains undefeated, and he put his rivals to the sword comfortably at his latest outing. The mile doesn’t pose any risks, and I expect the big boy to roll forward and pilot the field from the awkward barrier. If he can cheat the clock during the race’s early stages, he will look the winner as they pass the Exchange Hotel.
Suggested Bet: Just In Time @ $7.00
Newcastle Race 8
#11 Far Too Easy
Far Too Easy hit the line strongly in the Kosciuszko fresh. The All Too Hard gelding strips are fitter, and the 1300m looks ideal at this stage of his preparation. His second-up record is near perfect, and I suspect he will get all the favours in the run jumping from barrier one. The lightly raced five-year-old is a progressive type, and with only 54kg on his back, he looks hard to toss!
Mazu was good without threatening in the Giga Kick Stakes. He has impressed at the trials since, and the significant drop in class is advantageous. He traditionally races well fourth-up from a spell, and I expect the 1300m to play into his favour. His recent winning record is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Far Too Easy @ $5.50
