Tell me it’s spring without telling me it’s spring! We head to Caulfield this Saturday for the running of the time-honoured Group 1 Memsie Stakes. With the Group 3 McNeil Stakes and the Heath 1100 also featuring, and a menagerie of stars returning, all roads lead to the south-east of Melbourne’s CBD! Around the grounds, Rosehill Gardens hosts a competitive meeting with the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes and Up And Coming Stakes, the feature events on the monster program.
Caulfield Race 6
#4 Jimmy Recard
Jimmy Recard is flying at present. The I Am Invincible colt has won three on the bounce, and I suspect he has further improvement to come for the campaign. The step out in trip is ideal at this stage of his preparation, and his opening quote disappeared quicker than last week’s pay. I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals, and it may pay dividends to watch for any further significant market support. The awkward gate is his biggest obstacle.
Vinrock resumes with an air of expectation. The Group 1 Sires’ winner oozes class, and his undefeated autumn campaign was mouthwatering. His recent jump-outs were first-class, and I suspect he is in for a successful preparation. The early market support indicates another bold and forward showing, and the six-furlong event is the perfect launching pad for his spring. The predicted track conditions may be his undoing.
Suggested Bet: Jimmy Recard @ $4.60
Caulfield Race 7
#6 Zarastro
Zarastro heads to Melbourne after producing a teasing yet thrilling Brisbane winter campaign. The I Am Invincible gelding was edged out late in the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Cup by the classy Joliestar, and he looks extremely well placed in this company. His recent barrier trial victory was effortless, and I suspect he will roll forward from an awkward gate with a clean break. The drop-in class is significant, and the give in the ground plays into his favour. The big boy will give a good sight.
Airman can run a drum at a price. The consistent six-year-old has raced exceptionally well in some lofty races during his career, and his best performance here would see him figure in the finish. His autumn campaign was ok without threatening, and he looks more suited to strike at this level on Saturday. His trials leading into his first-up assignment have been pleasing, and he has been specked at a price. Needs to recapture his mojo after a long string of outs.
Suggested Bet: Zarastro @ $4.00
#3 Manaal
Manaal resumes after a luckless autumn preparation. The Group 1 winner covered more ground than the early settlers in each outing, and I suspect it may pay dividends to forgive and forget the talented mare went around. She caught the eyes of punters recently at the trials, and I am confident she will be fully wound up for a first-up tilt. The predicted soft to heavy conditions are advantageous, and she is ideally drawn in an inside gate. Dangerous prospect!
Magic Time is quality. The Hellbent mare has raced extremely well at the elite level most of her career, and she traditionally motors fresh first-up from a spell. The six-year-old Group 1 winner meets easier opposition, and she finds her pet distance fresh. Her camp is training winners for fun, and she has been hammered in most all-in markets. The powerful girl handles all track conditions, and her versatility is exceptional. Her racing pattern and style always requires an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: Manaal @ $8.00
Caulfield Race 9
#6 Another Wil
Another Wil took his racing to the elite level during a successful autumn campaign culminating with a stunning victory in the C.F.Orr Stakes. He was a hard watch for supporters at Flemington in the All-Star mile, and he was braver than Mel Gibson in a tough and relentless edition of the time-honoured Doncaster Handicap. The consistent six-year-old finds his favourite track and distance, and his record fresh is near perfect. Recent trials put the writing on the wall for another fruitful campaign, and I suspect he will occupy the box seat throughout from a perfect inside draw. If he can see daylight as they run for the doctor, I expect him to figure in the finish. Hard to toss!
Treasurethe Moment is super progressive. The Alabama Express mare has built an impressive picket fence next to her name, and her last two preparations were simply mouthwatering. Meeting the more seasoned and experienced weight-for-age campaigners is her biggest challenge on Saturday, however; the versatility and tactical speed she has shown in her career to date indicates she will thrive at the top level. The predicated soft track conditions will play into her favour, and she has been met with healthy support early doors. I’d prefer to promote her over further and deeper into her preparation.
Suggested Bet: Another Wil @ $4.00
Rosehill Gardens Race 6
#4 Sixties
Sixties looks one of the better bets on a tricky and competitive Rosehill program. The Flying Artie colt destroyed his opposition at his latest outing, and he deserves his chance at this level on Saturday. The progressive three-year-old will appreciate the step out in trip, and I suspect he will thrive in the drier conditions. The inside draw brings him into all winning conversations, and the Chris Waller factor must be respected. Hard to toss!
Providence has been trialing exceptionally well. The Wootton Bassett colt is still a maiden, however, the form around him is juicy. The key appointment of James McDonald speaks volumes, and I suspect his breakthrough victory is just around the corner. The 1300m will suit fresh, and I except him to be cherry ripe first-up with three jump outs under his belt. Big watch!
Suggested Bet: Sixties @ $4.00
Rosehill Gardens Race 8
#5 Wodeton
Wodeton was the bookies’ pal during the autumn. The Wootton Bassett colt got tossed as the race favourite in the shadows on several occasions, and he was even beaten a pimple in the Group 1 Golden Slipper. The winning feeling eluded him most preparation, and I suspect he brought punters to their knees on more than one occasion during the campaign. He has grown into a man during the winter break, and I suspect his best performance here would prove too strong. His recent trials have been ultra-impressive, and I expect him to figure in the finish with even luck in transit. He tends to find one or two better at the pointy end of a contest.
Raging Force is winning for fun at present. The Cosmic Force gelding has recently put three victories together on the bounce, and he looks well placed in his biggest assignment to date. I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his key rivals who are resuming, and he finds his pet distance on Saturday. The inside draw brings him into all winning calculations, and he has been heavily supported since acceptances were finalised. Can win again if he takes the next step.
Suggested Bet: Wodeton @ $3.00
