Group 1 action is back! The C.F. Orr Stakes officially kicks off the autumn racing season in fine style at Caulfield, and with a host of Group and Listed events also featuring on the program, all roads lead to the heath! The Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes is the main attraction at Royal Randwick, and with the $2,000,000 Inglis Millenium on offer for the two-year-olds, a healthy crowd is expected in the eastern suburbs of old Sydney Town!
Caulfield Race 6
#4 Rey Magnerio
Rey Magnerio is ultra-consistent. The Magnus gelding hasn’t missed a drum since the Moon landing, and he looks well placed in this company first-up. His record at the trip must be respected, and a recent barrier trial should have him cherry-ripe for Saturday’s event. His best performance here could be fences and panels better than his rivals, and he has been well-supported since acceptance. Watch for the big boy late!
Maharba is seriously talented. The Pride Of Dubai gelding performed beautiful during the spring, and I except him to springboard to dizzy new heights this preparation. The enigmatic four-year-old oozes class, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals. Jordan Childs is building a successful partnership with the Grahame Begg trained galloper, and with even luck in-transit, they can add to their already impressive record. I’d prefer to support his case at Flemington down the straight.
Suggested Bet: Rey Magnerio @ $4.60
Caulfield Race 7
#2 Angel Capital
Angel Capital looks one of the better bets on a tricky and competitive program. The Harry Angel colt resumes with an air of expectation, and he has turned heads during the early stages of his career. The form around him has stood up time and again, and it may pay dividends to keep an eye on him throughout the autumn. The middle gate gives Ben Melham a menagerie of options, and if the future star is presented with his run at the right time, I expect him to prove too strong late.
Evaporate resumes after a luckless performance in the W.S. Cox Plate. His form prior was near faultless, and I suspect he will appreciate the significant drop in class back to his own age group. Barrier three puts one hoof on the till, and if he is fully wound up for Saturday’s event, I expect him to fight out the finish. His racing pattern and style always requires an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: Angel Capital @ $3.20
#13 Howgoodareyou
Howgoodareyou savaged the line from a different suburb first-up from a spell. The So You Think mare broke the on-course clocks in the process, and she put the writing on the wall for a fruitful and successful autumn campaign. Craig Willilams will be positive early on the talented four-year-old, and if classy girl can find the bunny uncontested, she may prove hard to run down. Her recent winning record is the primary concern.
Marble Arch is low-flying! The Per Incanto mare has raced extremely well throughout the summer months, and she deserves her shot at this level. The Hayes camp have a big opinion of the inform five-year-old, and I suspect her residual fitness will take her to the pointy end of this contest. The key appointment of Ben Melham is advantageous, and the flood of early money indicates another bold showing. Acid test!
Suggested Bet: Howgoodareyou @ $10.00
Caulfield Race 9
#5 Another Wil
Another Wil looks ready to claim his first career victory at the elite level. The Street Boss gelding was narrowly beaten at the track and distance at the end of his last preparation, and I suspect he is ready to produce a career-defining campaign. His spring form was near faultless, and his record fresh must be respected. He strikes his pet trip first-up from a spell, and the inside draw should give his key rivals sleepless nights leading into the time-honoured event. The inform and recently married Jamie Melham retains the ride, and it may pay dividends to keep an eye on this dynamic duo throughout the autumn and beyond. Being unproven under the weight-for-age scale against our more seasoned and experienced gallopers is the primary concern.
The people’s champion, Mr Brightside, lines up to defend his crown. The rising eight-year-old seems to pick off a seven-furlong Group 1 at the heath once a month, and he looks extremely well placed in this company. His record at the track and distance is disgustingly good, and he traditionally motors during the early stages of his campaign. He will rightly start the race favourite, and I suspect he still has some serious performances in the locker. Craig Williams has recorded sixteen victories on the big boy, and with even luck in transit from the awkward gate, he will once again figure in the finish on Saturday. Dismiss a champion at your own risk!
Suggested Bet: Another Wil @ $4.20
Royal Randwick Race 7
#12 Price Tag
Price Tag is knocking on the door. The Zoustar filly won’t remain a maiden much longer, and I suspect she has a bright future ahead of her. All career starts to date have been good without winning, and with the right run in transit on Saturday, she can produce a peak performance for the campaign. From barrier eleven she will drift back and find her hooves, and if she doesn’t get too far out of ground during the middle stages of the race, she will loom to win.
Cobra Club was good on debut in the Inglis Nursery. The Cool Aza Beel colt strips after his cracking first-up performance, and he looks the likely leader on paper. From barrier ten he will roll forward and pilot the field, and if he is able to control the clock throughout, the race may be over before patrons return to their seats. Take on trust.
Suggested Bet: Price Tag @ $3.70
Royal Randwick Race 8
#10 Snow In May
Snow In May represents great each way value. The Autumn Sun filly has the ability to reel off sizzling late sectionals, and I suspect she has a huge engine under the bonnet. The talented three-year-old has been competitive at the elite level, and her recent barrier trials should give her rivals nightmares leading into Saturday’s Group 3 feature. The inside draw brings her into all winning conversations, and if the gaps appear as they run for the doctor, she will play a role in the shadows.
Gatsby’s always runs well. His best performance here could blow away his rivals, and the tsunami of early money indicates he is ready to rock ‘n’ roll fresh. The middle gate is advantageous, and I suspect the James McDonald and Chris Waller combination will attract further market support. His recent trials have been ominous, and with even luck in transit, he will be thereabouts. He tends to find one or two better on race day.
Suggested Bet: Snow In May @ $6.50
