The racing purists will have their eyes down south as the time-honoured Caulfield Cup is run and won at Caulfield on Saturday.
The traditional Melbourne Cup lead up race is again an open affair with a few internationals in the mix just to make it that much harder from a punting perspective.
We’ve run through the feature event and every race on the program to offer a leg up to those having a lash below.
So You Swing had no luck when third at Sandown two back but came out and won impressively over the 1500m at Mornington last start. She is a mare with a fair amount of ability and although she will have to lift again, she looks over the odds.
Tubby Two Tracks won on debut in open class grade by four lengths back in June showing plenty of class for such a young horse. Her next two runs have been okay and I think the step up to 1400m will suit. Worth an each way play.
Lord Markel broke through for his maiden race win last start at Geelong and he could not have been much more impressive. He was eased down to win by just under two lengths and he should get a lovely run in transit here from barrier two. Each way.
Huntly Castle raced a little dour when third behind Warning last time out at Flemington which suggests to me that he’ll be better over the 2000m. The double figures seems overs to me and is worth a small each way play.
Prophet’s Thumb is a mare that looks to have turned the corner to me. She dropped down in class last start to score impressively at this track and distance and I think she can again be competitive in a race of this quality.
I’ve loved the past two runs from this grey filly and I’m tipping she takes a big step forward now she gets out to 2000m. She has drawn perfectly in barrier 2 so Brett Prebble can give her a loving run in transit. The double figures on offer seems overs the me!
Tactical Advantage is a better horse than he showed at The Valley last start and will appreciate the step down in class. $10 seems overs to me.
I don’t want to lose on the race if God Of Thunder wins either. He should be plenty fit for this race and if he produces another effort like he did behind Humma Humma at The Valley, he’ll be right in this race.
Through process of elimination I have landed on Royal Meeting in this event although it is one I’ll be staying out of. I’m not a fan of the fact that the horse has not raced in over a year and he gives most of these a big weight advantage however he is a group 1 winner and none of the others stand out to me.
The overseas form once again tumps the locals in my opinion. The Japanese horse Mer De Glace has won his last five straight and although this is his first go beyond 2200m I think class will take him a long way.
The Australian Bloodstock import Mustajeer has been mixing it with the best in the UK and has a quick turn of foot at the end of his races. He won the Ebor handicap leading in his trip to Australia which has been a good guide in recent times.
This is a tricky race to finish the day. These mares races are always so difficult because they are all so even. It doesn’t help that the leading chances have all drawn wide. Naantali is never beaten far at this grade and I thought her first up run was excellent. She was aggressively asked to chase Sunlight in the Gilgai which just took away her sprint when she needed it late which made the run look worse than it actually was. She can get a soft run from barrier 4 and be there abouts at nice each way odds.