3 minute read
We’re back to Caulfield on Saturday for another ten-race program that rich with talent.
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The rail will be set out eight metres around the entire course while at publish, we're faced with a track rated in the Good (4) range.
Check out my full day preview and Caulfield tips below!
RACE 1 - 11:45AM: 2YO Handicap (1400m)
Brighella settled too far off the pace at Mornington a fortnight ago and looks capable of striking back at Caulfield on Saturday.
The Brazen Beau colt stamped himself as one to watch by winning on debut at Cranbourne last month but simply left himself too much work at his latest.
Fitter third-up and out to the 1400m, he looks up to something like this.
1 Unit Brighella
RACE 2 - 12:15PM: MRC Plus Handicap (1100m)
Belsielle returns from a short break in what looks to be a far more appropriate race.
The Brazen Beau mare turned in some nice performances earlier this year, only just missing behind Pereille at The Valley most notably, before finishing midfield in Group 3 company down in Tasmania.
She was sent for a break after failing to beat a runner home in the Listed Abell Stakes in March, but she boasts a good fresh record, and this is clearly a drop in class.
1 Unit Belsielle
RACE 3 - 12:45PM: MRC Chairman's Club Handicap (1700m)
Former European Mirzann makes his Australian debut at Caulfield on Saturday, and he is yet to turn in a poor performance.
The Camelot gelding made five appearances at the races aboard, winning twice and finishing second a further three time.
He's had the benefit of a trial ahead of this appearance and he is drawn to receive a lovely run under Daniel Stackhouse.
1 Unit Mirzann
RACE 4 - 1:20PM: 3YO Handicap (1100m)
Open race with several key winning chances engaged, but I thought that it looked a great opportunity for Pantelone to continue his rise through the grades.
Pantelone returned to action with a nice effort to finish third, beaten just over a length by a fit Scissor Step at Sandown in March before hitting the line to win in BM70 at his latest.
Fitter third-up, something like this looks within his abilities.
1 Unit Pantelone
RACE 5 - 1:55PM: BlueBlood Thoroughbreds Handicap (1000m)
I'm keen to be with the resuming Midwest in the fifth at Caulfield on Saturday.
Midwest hasn't been seen at the race since Boxing Day, but he tends to turn in sharp fresh performance each campaign and only just missed behind Taunting when resuming last time.
There is some talent engaged in this race, but from the good draw and some relief in the weights under Tatum Bull, I think he'll be in the finish.
2 Units Midwest
RACE 6 - 2:30PM: Evergreen Turf Handicap (1400m)
Wolfy drops in class into this race, and I am keen to stick with him.
The Tivaci colt was an eye-catching winner here back in Caulfield and has since finished midfield in both the Sunlight Classic and the Bendigo Guineas.
He steps out this week in peak order and this isn't the strongest race on the program – I think he can take advantage and win.
3 Units Wolfy
RACE 7 - 3:05PM: IVE Handicap (1600m)
Robbie Laing has got El Soleado absolutely humming, and he looms as the one to beat again in this handicap over a mile.
El Soleado recorded consecutive wins in Benchmark company here at Caulfield and Flemington back in February, and following a couple of strong runs in tougher races, he returned to winning form in the Golden Mile last time out.
He's hard fit and needs only hold his form to take a power of beating again.
2 Units E/W El Soleado
RACE 8 - 3:40PM: Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives Handicap (2000m)
We were with Aztec State when he only just missed on the Heath here a couple of weeks ago and I am inclined to give him another chance.
The Pierro gelding returned to action to finish fourth, beaten a little over two lengths in BM70 company, and he was unlucky to be denied by Chihuly in a photo last time out.
Fitter third-up and out to the 2000m, I think this looks a really nice race for him.
1 Unit Aztec State
RACE 9 - 4:20PM: Thoroughbred Club Australia Handicap (2000m)
Berkeley Square was a deserved winner last weekend and is on the quick back-up at Caulfield on Saturday.
A Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase winner during his three-year-old prep, Berkeley Square went off the boil a little last time in, but he has continued to improve with each run back this time, unlucky not to finish closer in an Easter Cup before winning last week.
This does look to be a drop in class and I don't think that the small rise in weights will be an issue.
3 Units Berkeley Square
RACE 10 - 4:55PM: Benchmark 84 Handicap (1400m)
Chorlton Lane returned to action an eye-catching winning at Bendigo and he can make it two in a row at Caulfield on Saturday.
The Mehmas gelding was a consistent performer last time in, ending his prep a length third over 1400m at Flemington, but his fresh effort this time in was amongst his best.
The form out of that race has been franked with Extratwo coming out and winning a lucrative VOBIS race last weekend, and this bloke is subsequently my best bet on the program.
4 Units Chorlton Lane
