The Group 1 Underwood Stakes is the feature event this Saturday at Caulfield. With the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude and Foundation Cup also front and centre on the stunning program, all roads lead to the heath! In Sydney town, we head to Royal Randwick for the running of the $1,000,000 7 Stakes. With the Group 2 The Shorts and the Tea Rose Stakes also appearing on the intriguing racing card, a massive local crowd is expected in the eastern suburbs.
Caulfield Race 7
#15 Saint George
Saint George turned heads during his Australian debut. The Roaring Lion entire was held up at a crucial stage, and he still managed to finish on the heels of the winner. The form out of that race has stood up several times since, and I expect an improved second-up performance. The step out to 2000m plays into his favour and the current track conditions suit. Watch for the big boy late!
Future History is over the odds. The Showcasing gelding was good first-up without winning, and he traditionally performs well at this stage of his preparation. His record at the distance is outrageous, and he has come in extremely well at the weights under the handicap conditions. From barrier one, he can occupy the box seat throughout, and if the gaps appear as they run for the doctor, he can make his presence felt at a price.
Suggested Bet: Saint George @ $4.50
Caulfield RACE 8
#2 Pericles
Pericles looks ready to taste Group 1 glory. The Street Boss gelding was luckless fresh in the P.B. Lawerence, and he was a brilliant winner second-up in fast time at Moonee Valley. The step out to 1800m is advantageous, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals. The talented five-year-old deserves his shot at this level, and with even luck in transit, I expect him to fight out the finish. The carpark draw is his biggest obstacle.
Place Du Carrousel is world-class. The Lope De Vega mare was purchased for close to $7,000,000 by Yulong, and her best form reads incredibly well for this event. Her performance behind Via Sistina in the Ranvet was outstanding, and it may pay dividends to forget that she went around in the Queen Elizabeth. She has been trialling well leading into this event, and she was a winner first-up previously. I would prefer to promote her over further deeper into her campaign.
Suggested Bet: Pericles @ $3.30
#8 Public Attention
Public Attention can run a drum at a big price. The Written Tycoon colt bravely won on debut at Caulfield after covering ground, and he had genuine traffic issues second-up at Moonee Valley. The step out to 1400m looks ideal for the third-up, and he should get the perfect run in transit from a middle draw. I suspect he has further improvement to come in preparation, and I expect his quote to shorten significantly before the barriers open on Saturday.
Wanaruah will start race favourite after producing a nearly perfect career start. The Snitzel colt had his colours lowered for the first time by at the flying Autumn Glow at his latest outing, and he looks poised to bounce back. From barrier one, he will roll forward and pilot the field, and if he is left alone to dictate the tempo throughout, he will figure in the finish. The step out in trip is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Public Attention @ $20.00
Randwick Race 7
#1 Manaal
Manaal was a brilliant second-up winner against the track pattern in the Furious Stakes. The Tassort filly is now ready for the 1400m and looks well placed at the level weights. From barrier six, she can sit midfield with cover, and if she is presented with her run at the right time, I expect her to stamp her authority late. She has a huge engine under the bonnet, and she looks hard to toss!
The undefeated Autumn Glow will start an odds-on favourite. The Autumn Sun filly has shown a superior turn of foot late in both career starts, and I am confident she will measure up against the ‘A’ graders on Saturday. The untapped three-year-old has turned heads since announcing herself, and I suspect she is in for a fruitful and successful spring preparation. How much extra ground she covers during the early stages of the race is the primary concern. Acid test!
Suggested Bet: Manaal @ $4.80
Randwick Race 8
#7 Zougotcha
Zougotcha was beaten first-up in the shadows by the flying Via Sistina. The Zoustar mare loves a Randwick mile, and I expect her to receive the run of the race from a perfect inside draw. The talented five-year-old always performs well second-up and maps perfectly to figure in the finish. Her improvement the last eighteen months has been exceptional, and I am surprised with the price difference between her and the race favourite.
Fangirl strips fitter after tasting defeat as favourite fresh. She covered extra ground throughout and only peaked on her run at the pointy end of the battle. The drier track conditions play into her favour, and she will appreciate the step out to the 1600m. The Sebring mare ran third in this race last year, and I am confident the big girl will be savaging the line when the contest is up for grabs. Her racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: Zougotcha @ $4.50
Randwick Race 9
#6 I Am Me
I Am Me was a brilliant winner fresh in the Concorde Stakes. The I Am Invincible mare stalked the speed throughout, and she was tough and durable late, fighting off the talented Bella Nipotina. Her record at 1100m is ridiculous, and I suspect she will take significant improvement from her first-up heroics. She will roll forward from barrier two, and if the gaps appear as they run for the judge, I expect her to fight out the finish.
Aft Cabin was a horror watch first up. The track pattern didn’t suit his racing style, and he was blocked for a run at a crucial stage. He looked bomb-proof leading into his fresh assignment at the trials, and I am confident the camp will be out for redemption on Saturday. The Astern gelding will be suited by the step out in trip, and he usually does his best work early in the campaign. Hey, I may need to stand up to secure an Everest slot!
Suggested Bet: I Am Me @ $3.50
