Group 1 racing returns to Caulfield this Saturday. The $2,000,000 Blue Diamond Stakes is the main attraction, while the Futurity Stakes and Oakleigh Plate will play the perfect support role. In Sydney town we head west to Rosehill Gardens for a menagerie of Group and Listed events including the time-honoured Silver Slipper Stakes.
Caulfield Race 7
#7 Treasurethe Moment
Treasurethe Moment resumes after a spring campaign full of ups and downs. Her first-up victory in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes was mind-blowing, however; a colic setback made the rest of the campaign fall slightly short of her camps’ expectations. Her effort behind Via Sistina in the Group 1 W.S. Cox Plate was honourable, and she was ok without threatening in the snow on Champions Day at Flemington. Her form prior to the spring was perfect, and I suspect if she is back to her brilliant best, Saturday’s event could be a mere formality. Take on trust!
Pericles resumes after a brilliant spring campaign. The Bjorn Baker camp got the big boy to reach a new level, and the form around him is outstanding. His effort behind Ceolwulf was incredible, and he was game in defeat chasing the undefeated and untapped Autumn Glow. Too consistent not to support in any event he lines up in, and he is a must for all broader multiples and exotics.
Suggested Bet: Treasurethe Moment @ $2.00
Caulfield Race 8
#4 Big Sky
Big Sky has the ‘X factor’. The Bivouac colt oozes class, and both victories to date have been excellent. The ‘experts’ have potted his form due to the questionable quality of opposition that he has put to the sword, however; you can only beat what’s in front of you. The clock backs-up both demolition jobs, and I suspect he has further improvement to come for the current campaign. Barrier five puts him into all winning conversations, and in the words of the late and great Tina Turner, “what you get is what you see!” His race-day manners are the primary concern which seems to be consistent among the current crop of two-year-olds.
Guest House bombed the start and threw away his chances at his latest outing. The big boy was forced to sit three-wide covering the breeze as a result, and he ultimately died on his run during the final furlong. The Home Affairs colt strips fitter as a result of recent racing, and he is simply too classy to dismiss. The longer trip suits, and the inside draw will allow him to occupy the box-seat throughout. His exposed form reads incredibly well for this event, and if the progressive two-year-old can get off the dulex as they cut the ribbons, he may may prove hard to hold out. Major player!
Suggested Bet: Blue Sky @ $4.80
#14 Point Barrow
Point Barrow is the real deal. The lightly raced Blue Point filly has started her career incredibly well, and her victories during the spring were simply stunning and first-class. The form around her has stood up time and again, and I suspect she is a Group 1 winner in waiting. The featherweight puts one hoof on the till, and she may jump close to even money if the avalanche of early support continues. Watch for her late!
Gallant Son is winning for fun at present. The Written Tycoon entire is in career best form, and with even luck in-transit, he can record a hatrick of victories on Saturday. Barrier three is advantageous, and his camp are flying at present. He may need some luck getting off the dulex as heads turn for home.
Suggested Bet: Point Barrow @ $3.10
Rosehill Gardens Race 6
#3 Stretan Ruler
Stretan Ruler looked good without winning behind Closer To Free at Caulfield. This looks a more winnable assignment, and the step out to 1100m is ideal for this stage of his campaign. The Wild Ruler Colt is untapped, and I suspect a victory here would line-up a date with a Golden Slipper. He has been supported in most-all in futures markets, and the camp have a great record in the harbour city. Over the odds!
Hidrix will have plenty of supporters after producing an impressive Group 3 victory on debut. The Extreme Choice colt looks classy, and I suspect he strips fitter as a result of his recent heroics. The inform Zac Llyod sticks with the talented two-year-old, and the Chris Waller polish must be respected. His fate may be decided during the early stages of the race with the predicated frenetic tempo up front.
Suggested Bet: Stretan Ruler @ $9.00
Rosehill Gardens Race 7
#15 Sam Hawkens
Sam Hawkens is ready to produce a breakthrough campaign. The Galileo gelding makes his debut for the John O’Shea camp, and I suspect he has come on in leaps and bounds after spending a full season down under. His jump-outs have been first-class, the 53kg is a luxury, and I simply expect him to put this field to the sword. His exposed form is elite, and a win here would slash his Sydney Cup quote in half. The 1900m may be short of his preferred distance range.
Suggested Bet: Sam Hawkens @ $3.50
Rosehill Gardens Race 8
#3 Wodeton
Wodeton finds his easiest assignement in a very long time. The Wooton Bassett colt is always thereabouts, and he seems to put the writing on the wall for a next start victory. His fresh performance behind Tempted reads well for this event, and his sizzling late sectionals should be a warning to his rivals. The 1400m suits, and I suspect he will get every chance to run on with the hot speed created by the peloton. He tends to find one or two better at the pointy end of a contest.
Autumn Boy was a dominant winner of the Caulfield Guineas. He resumes here with an air of expectation, and it’s probably the best quote you will get for the classy fella for the entire autumn and beyond. His trials have been first-class, and a victory here would bring him into favourite for several time-honoured autumn events. I’d prefer to support his case deeper into his campaign and over further.
Suggested Bet: Wodeton @ $13.00
