VOBIS Race Day at Caulfield is a particularly lucrative card for trainers and connections, and it is also an exciting day of racing from a betting perspective.
All nine races on VOBIS Race Day boast lucrative purses and subsequently, each has drawn an open field of contestants.
We have analysed every horse in all nine races on VOBIS Race Day in detail, in order to hopefully help you find a winner or two.
Eleven fillies and mares have been confirmed for a strong edition of the Gold Distaff, but it really does look like French Emotion’s ($2) race to lose. A Group 1 placegetter, French Emotion resumed this time for a smart second behind Quilista in a 1200m race at Flemington before running fourth in the Bendigo Gold Bracelet last time out. It will have almost been a year to the day since the mare last won a race but interestingly, it was this one. She’s drawn well and should be winning.
My True Love ($4.60) has not been seen at the races since October, but she is a proven first-up performer and looms as French Emotion’s main danger.
The Gold Mile has only drawn eight runners, but there is several quality gallopers within the group and plenty of value to be taken from a betting perspective.
Widgee Turf ($3) has returned to racing in outstanding form this time in and looks as though he’ll enjoy getting out to a mile. The Turffontein gelding won four-consecutive races through summer and returned from a freshen-up for third in the Eldorado Handicap (1300m) at Wangaratta on March 4th. Having beat a classy field to the line in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) last time out, he’ll be extremely tough to beat again – this is perfect placement by trainer Patrick Payne.
So Si Bon ($5.50) finished fifth in the Victoria Handicap and with improvement, can go close in what looks-to-be an easier race. He’s drawn ideally in barrier 4 and with even luck, looms as the biggest danger to Widgee Turf.
A capacity field of two-year-olds will contest the Sires and of those horses, five are on debut.
Of the horses with exposed form, the Team Corstens-trained Thrillster ($4.60) has shown above-average ability and looks capable of winning this race. The daughter Starspangledbanner ran a smart second in the Listed Valley Pearl on debut in March before breaking her maiden in the Bendigo Gold Rush Plate a fortnight ago. She’s drawn ideally in barrier 5 and will take plenty of beating.
There is just too much that could potentially happen in a race rich with new two-year-olds and I am happy to stay out from a betting perspective.
Eleven horses will step out in the Gold Heath following the scratching of Sagaab.
Master trainer Darren Weir always has his horses peaking at the perfect moment and Kiwia ($2) will be extremely difficult to beat under the conditions of this particular race. Kiwia produced a number of outstanding performances and results in spring and has steadily built to the task through two starts this time. He will be rock-hard for this race and finally gets out to an appropriate trip.
Montoya’s Secret ($5.50) is yet to show her best this time, but she is another horse will find her pet trip here and she is a live chance after drawing ideally. The daughter of High Chaparral won the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes over the distance of this race last year and will link up with jockey Noel Callow for only the second time since that run on Saturday.
The Gold Dash has drawn several talented sprinters, but this looms as another race that is Nature Strip’s to lose. Nature Strip ($2) has posted four wins and a close second through only five career starts to date and has made a habit of absolutely destroying his rivals. The son of Niconni boasts an electric turn of foot and is drawn ideally in barrier 2, with Craig Williams in the saddle. He will take up the running and will be extremely difficult to get past.
Godolphin gelding Deprive ($5.50) is building a nice record and he is a live chance of finishing in the money again on Saturday. The son of Denman resumed this time for an easy win at Canterbury before finishing second to True Excelsior at Moonee Valley last time out.
Cliff’s Edge ($1.50) has returned to racing in typically smart form this time and has found a perfect racing in the 3YO Sires on Saturday. The Canford Cliffs colt has won both the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) and Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) most notably this year and was last seen running a credible fifth in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m). This is a clear step back in class and from barrier 5, he won’t have an issue in taking up the running.
Cliff’s Edge will probably just win, but there is little value left in his $1.50 quote and I am happy to watch.
is a case to be made for nearly every runner.
Sprightly Lass has returned to racing in smart form this time and at the time of publish, is the $3.80 favourite. The Snitzel mare has posted four wins and two second-placings through her six career starts to date and was last seen finishing second behind seasoned sprinter Dothraki in the Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m). Perhaps most importantly, she has a fitness edge on several of her rivals here.
The resuming Property ($4.60) is drawn ideally in barrier 3 and has already experienced plenty of interest in betting, having firmed from $6.50. The Starcraft gelding is a multiple black type winner, as well as at the course and distance and he will carry only 54kgs in what looks like an ideal campaign launchpad.
Popular five-year-old Rich Charm ($3) will step out in the Gold Sprint and he is a live chance of saluting for punters. The Danerich gelding captured the Australian racing community through an impressive Spring Carnival campaign which resulted in winning both the Listed Italktravel Stakes (1200m) and Group 2 Multiplier Stakes most notably. He has performed well in much tough company than this during the two starts this time and was last seen working home well for sixth in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap.
Keen Array ($4.80) has not been seen at the races this year, but on class alone can win this race while Lucky Liberty ($8.50) is another horse the appeals at each-way odds.
An open field will step out for the final race on VOBIS Raceday and it looms as a good opportunity for punters to take advantage of some late value.
Two horses that are worth consideration in this field are the consistent Theanswermyfriend ($4.60) and Top Me Up, who looks to be over the odds at his current $16 quote.
Theanswermyfriend put in an out-of-character flat performance in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap last time out, but he’ll enjoy a drop in the weights and will be far-more effective third-up on Saturday.
Top Me Up simply did not handle the soft-going at Mornington first-up and will relish a return to a firm track. The Exceed And Excel gelding will take a position within the pack from his wide draw before looking to run on in the straight.