A Shin Rook posted his second win in Australia at a nice price last time out and I am confident that he can repeat that effort and result this afternoon. The Heart’s Cry stallion has always promised plenty since arriving in Australia and while he is yet to justify all of the hype, his win with 61kgs in tow last time out suggested that the penny might be starting to drop. Clayton Douglas can tuck in behind the early pace from barrier 4 and with even luck in running, the horse can finish over the top of his rivals again.
Champion sprinter Written By will contest the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) second-up this afternoon and is clearly the one to beat. The Written Tycoon colt was simply outstanding throughout his two-year-old campaign and won each of his first four career starts, including the Group 1 Blue Diamonds at this track and distance most notably. Having returned to the paddock after finishing fourth in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m), Written By was too good for a decent field in a 1000m sprint here at Caulfield first-up and will only improve off the effort.
Oregon’s Day is a mare with immense talent and she will be extremely difficult to beat in the Ladies’ Day Vase at Caulfield this afternoon. A multiple Group 1 placegetter, Oregon’s Day was unlucky not to score a maiden win at the highest level in autumn, and she has been racing in far company than she finds this afternoon this time in, having placed fifth in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) two runs back and eighth in the Group 1 Sur Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) last time out. She’s ready to peak fourth-up and has the bonus of champion hoop Damien Oliver aboard.
Danon Roman is ready to peak third-up this afternoon and should relish a step up to 2000m at Caulfield. The Deep Impact entire ran an eye-catching third at Flemington on debut in Australia in September and savaged the line for fifth over 1700m here at Caulfield when he was finally offered clear running, late in the picture. With James McDonald in the saddle, he can take a position just behind the pace from barrier 3 and on his Japanese form, he will be extremely difficult to hold out.