Caulfield is the place to be this Saturday for the running of the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and Underwood Stakes. With the Caulfield Guineas Prelude, Naturalism Stakes, and Jim Moloney Stakes, also featuring on the monster program, September racing has never looked so good! In Sydney Town, we head to Royal Randwick for a competitive and tricky edition of the $1,000,000 7 Stakes. The Shorts and the Tea Rose Stakes will ensure a healthy crowd is front and centre in the Eastern Suburbs.
Caulfield Race 7
#2 Buckaroo
Buckaroo caught the eyes of punters first-up in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes. The Fastnet Rock gelding savaged the line late behind Treasurethe Moment, and he put the writing on the wall for a fruitful spring preparation. The big boy took out this event last year in a canter, and all signs indicate he is ready to defend his title. He never came up during the autumn, and I suspect he is ready to announce himself on Saturday. His second-up form is rock-solid, and the 1800m is a perfect stepping stone towards another tilt at our two cups and a plate. The Blake Shinn and Chris Waller factor must be respected, and he will figure in the finish with even luck in transit. The one to beat!
Sir Delius was good without winning fresh in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes. The Frankel entire oozes class, and he has hardly put a hoof wrong since joining the Gai Waterhouse camp from France. He has been heavily supported in most all-in markets, and his best performance here could prove too strong for the local gallopers. His racing pattern and style always require an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: Buckaroo @ $4.80
Caulfield Race 8
#9 Angel Capital
It’s extremely hard to overlook the first-up performance of Angel Captial. The talented four-year-old by Harry Angel couldn’t have been more impressive over an unsuitable trip, and the way he put his rivals to the sword was ruthless. The big boy has upside and progression for days, and he has a genuine opportunity to taste Group 1 success in only his 9th career start. The handicap conditions suit, and his record at the track and trip must be respected. The money in most all-in markets has been significant, and I suggest he will start a very popular elect. Jumping from another suburb and the dramatic class rise are among the primary concerns.
Another Wil can bounce back after producing a first-up flop in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes. The Street Boss gelding was too bad to be true, and I suspect the camp will be out for redemption on Saturday. His second-up record is near perfect, and he excels at Caulfield over the 1400m. The middle gate provides the versatile six-year-old a menagerie of options, and I expect him to figure in the finish with even luck in-transit. His devastating turn of foot gives him the competitive edge on his key rivals, and his best performance here could produce a demolition job. The grandstand weight is his biggest obstacle.
Suggested Bet: Angel Capital @ $4.00
#17 Half Yours
Half Yours will start one of the shortest priced favourites on the competitive program. The Caloundra Cup winner turned heads late over an unsuitable distance fresh, and I suspect he strips fitter as a result of his eye-catching performance. The step out in trip is ideal at this stage of his campaign, and the inside draw will ensure a soft trip in-transit. The money has been significant early doors, and the current track conditions play into his favour. He may need some luck getting off the dulex as they run for the doctor.
Birdman is a model of consistency. The Free Eagle gelding is ready to win, and I suspect he has been timed to the minute for his third-up assignment. The Chris Waller trained galloper always attracts solid market support, and the 2000m trip is getting closer to his winning distance range. He unfortunately has the ability to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory.
Suggested Bet: Half Yours @ $3.20
Royal Randwick Race 6
#3 Within The Law
Within The Law is a classy filly. The Lucky Vega three-year-old always gives 100%, however; she tends to find trouble at key stages of a race. She has been luckless with barrier draws, and I suspect the camp are praying for a change in fortune. She ran the fastest last 600m in the Furious Stakes, and I expect her to thrive over the longer trip on Saturday. If she can find some cover mid-field in the run, she will get every opportunity to swoop over the top of her rivals late. Take on trust!
Tupakara will start race favourite after producing a mouthwatering effort fresh over 1200m. The Trapeze Artist filly will appreciate the step out in trip, and the key appointment of James McDonald speaks volumes. The inside draw puts one hoof on the till, and the drier conditions could prove decisive. Arguably Australia’s best maiden who needs to put some runs on the board!
Royal Randwick Race 8
#11 Fangirl
Fangirl is a marvel. The now seven-year-old has been amongst the top performing weight-for-age gallopers her entire career, and she looks incredibly hard to beat in the $1,000,000 feature on Saturday. The Sebring mare was ok without threatening at Caufield fresh, and she finds her favourite track and trip second-up. The big girl grows and extra leg on top of the ground, and her winning association with James McDonald is almost overwhelming. Watch for her storming down the outside late!
Royal Patronage can win fresh. The Wootton Bassett entire was brilliant during the autumn, and his victory first-up last campaign over Here To Shock is still fresh in the memory bank. His gallant effort in the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap was first-class, and his recent barrier trials were ominous. He looks a very good each-way prospect if he is fully wound-up.
Suggested Bet: Fangirl @ $2.70
Royal Randwick Race 9
#2 Private Harry
Private Harry is a jet! The undefeated Harry Angel entire tasted Group 1 success last campaign in the Galaxy, and his recent barrier trials have been delicious. The undefeated four-year-old is bombproof, and I suspect he is ready to climb the greatest mountain of them all. From barrier five he will roll forward and pilot the field, and if he can find the bunny uncontested during the early stages of the event, it could be a times and margins job. A potential star!
Joliestar gains a gurnsey after missing last weeks’ assignment. The Zoustar mare produced a stunning victory in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup, and the form around her is elite. Her recent trials have been first-class, and I suspect she is on track to tackle the world-class Ka Ying Rising in The Everest. The flyer traditionally motors fresh, and the dry track brings her into all winning calculations. I’d prefer to support her over further and deeper into her campaign.
Suggested Bet: Private Harry @ $2.50
