This has to be the best racing card at Caulfield for the year.
Four Group 1 races highlighted by both the Caulfield and Thousand Guineas.
Track will play fairly and wind will not be a factor today. Expect tempo in races to be the main factor in where and how horses win today.
Race 1
Fake Love looks a really talented filly. She’s on top here but no value at the price given she’s drawn a bit of an icky barrier.
Red Rocketship jumped out nicely. Home track, drawn to get a nice run up on the speed and will be revved up to win this.
Extreme Warrior is the stablemate of the second pick. Every time he was asked for an effort in his jump outs he responded. Drawn next door to the stablemate and they should make their runs together.
Beach Lap. Love what she did at her most previous Flemington jump out. She’s drawn the outside here and might be posted without cover.
Suggested bet: No bet here. Watch and learn.
Race 2
Swats That was dominant in her win at Moonee Valley a fortnight ago. She’s very short here but should get a cosy run with cover despite being wide. Tough to beat but can’t recommend backing her at the current price.
Cave Hill. She’s a moody filly this one. Think she has plenty of talent but just has not put it all together yet. She’s missed the start, bucked and flown home at her first two starts. Had a jump out at Caulfield to try iron out her issues. It seems to have worked. Massive odds here. Should be half her quote.
Bella Nipotina was given none when thrown into the deep end last start. Will improve here.
Muntaseera had all the favours last start and won well but no value.
Suggested bet: Cave Hill each way.
Race 3
Windstorm on top. No prizes here. Think he’s rank unders here. Great chance but not at the $2.2.
There is a blouser that brings a different form line and goes well fresh. Phaistos. Drawn to get an economical run in behind the pace. Think he’s a massive shout to knock off the favourite.
Cuba and Runson will be up on the pace and hard to run down as well.
Suggested bet: Phaistos each-way. If the track is playing to leaders, don’t let Cuba and Runson go around as losers.
Race 4
Exhilarates is drawn awkwardly and will need a Damien Oliver masterclass but she’s quite capable of beating this lot.
Felicia is racing in such good form. Rarely runs a bad race.
Lyre… one last chance for her? She’s got the talent to beat this lot easily. She’s had a heap of excuses this prep.
Suggested bet: Stay out. If Exhilarates gets back out to double figures can entertain her each way.
Race 5
Tough to split Dirty Work and Diamond Effort here. Dirty Work brings in the Classique Legend form line which probably has panels on this lot and Diamond Effort loves racing at her home tracking Caulfield.
Could come down to which jockey shows initiative and gets the spot on the map.
Order of Command gets the services of Damien Oliver and should enjoy a nice run as well.
Suggested bet: No bet.
Race 6 - Caulfield Stakes
Russian Camelot. We all know he’s a freak. Has to go on top but he’s a prohibitive price.
Gailo Chop. He could be the fella who knocks them all off here. He might be a 10-year-old but he’s racing in fine fettle. Could give a massive sight at $26.
Humidor and Arcadia Queen next best.
Suggested bet: Tiny each-way play on Gailo Chop.
Race 7 - Thousand Guineas
Hungry Heart brings in a Group 1 mile form line from Sydney. She wobbled and spat the bit out earlier than expected in the Flight Stakes last week where she was run down by Montefilia. Gets the blinkers first time which could spark her up and get her into first!
Instant Celebrity. Unblemished record. Always hits the line hard and she’ll be flying home late. Just think the top pick maps slightly better.
Personal. She’s a nice filly. Was in the wrong part of the track and was still surging after the line in the prelude.
Suggested bet: Hungry Heart win & Personal each-way.
Race 8 - Caulfield Guineas
This is what we’re all here for. The Caulfield Guineas.
Hard to go past the Hawkes-trained colt Ole Kirk. He’s smashed the line his last two starts and won the Golden Rose. He’s a justified favourite.
Aysar. Blinkers on and Damian Lane on. Those are two pretty significant changes. He’s drawn to get a midifield/rear position in running. But look out for him to be launching home up the middle.
Mo’unga. He’s been touted as the next big thing in the Chris Waller stable. Full of talent but maybe the step up to this level might be his undoing. Great chance but not at the $6.5.
Tagaloa finally draws a barrier. Should get a nice run but like Mo’Unga couldn't suggest the $6.5 on offer.
Suggested bet: Ole Kirk win. Aysar each way.
Race 9 - Toorak Handicap
Not the greatest ever field assembled for a Toorak Handicap but it will be competitive nonetheless.
Junipal absolutely bolted in last start and looks to enjoy a similar passage here. Definitely worth an each-way ticket at the $5/$2.
Buffalo River returned really well when fitness told late first-up going down to Superstorm. Gets right down in the weights.
I Am Superman needs a dry track and should get that on Saturday. Already has an impressive win at this course which was first-up this preparation.
Cascadian is becoming a nightmare but will be the one flying home late.
Suggested bet: Junipal each-way.
Race 10
We’ve got one the Caulfield Cup fancies in Orderofthegarter stretching the legs out before his target race. He’s very short at $2.3 but he’s drawn to get an almost identical run to last start. Tough to beat but can’t suggest a bet on him here.
Chapada and In Good Health are both racing very well but hard to see them getting past the top pick.
Suggested bet: No bet.
Is Gambling a problem for you? Call Gamblers Help on 1800 858 858 or your local state gambling helpline. Gamble responsibly.