2020 Christmas Stakes Day Tips & Preview
King Of Hastings can win the Wangoom Handicap. Photo: Steve Hart

2020 Christmas Stakes Day Tips & Preview

We’re back to Caulfield for another quality nine-race program on Boxing Day, which also happens to be a Saturday!

Two black type races will be run and won, both baring our name, and you can find a preview of every contest and our 2020 Christmas Stakes Day Tips below.

Caulfield – Home Of Outdoor Events Handicap (1200m) – 12:45pm AEDT
No Bet

Just four of the twelve confirmed starters in Race 1 at Caulfield on Saturday have race day experience.

These contests simply are not for me, and I am happy to watch.

Happy 50th Birthday Claudio Aranibar Handicap (1100m) – 1:20pm AEDT
No. 1 Esta La Roca

Esta La Roca has recorded two wins from as many starts this time, and I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish again at Caulfield on Boxing Day.

The El Roca filly won with something in hand at The Valley earlier this month and repeated that effort and result over 1000m last time.

Fitter third-up, she’ll take plenty of beating again.

Ken Sturt Handicap (1400m) – 1:55pm AEDT
No. 3 Ayrton

Ayrton looks to be an above-average athlete and he can record another win at Caulfield.

The three-year-old son of Iffraaj showed ability at the trials and put the writing on the way with a five-length domination at Bendigo a couple of weeks ago.

This is harder, but any improvement on that would surely see him winning.

Frank O’Brien Handicap (1400m) – 2:30pm AEDT
No. 11 Promotions

Promotions has been consistent without winning this prep, but he gets another chance at Caulfield this week.

The Godolphin-trained galloper finished second behind Enchanted Heart when resuming at Randwick-Kensington and finished third in his next two starts, both in decent Saturday races in Sydney.

He was just a length and a half from the winner at Randwick last time out, and I’m looking forward to seeing him at the Victorian way of going.

each way
Allan Wicks Handicap (1200m) – 3:10pm AEDT
No. 6 Sassy Salitage

Sassy Salitage returned her best effort for some time at Flemington a couple of weeks ago, and I am happy to have something on each-way at the big price this week ($20 at publish).

She showed plenty during her debut prep, but she simply didn’t come up last time in, and appeared to be on a similar footing when she failed to fire first-up at Pakenham.

She stuck on well to finish fourth behind Paul’s Regret last time though, and I’m confident that there is still improvement to come.

Joe Brown Handicap (1100m) – 3:50pm AEDT
No. 14 That Girl

That Girl returned an eye-catching effort to finish second at Pakenham when resuming, and she looks well placed to go one better at Caulfield second-up.

The Phillip Stokes-trained mare didn’t show her best form last preparation, but her resuming run this time suggested that she has returned a far more furnished prospect.

She’s drawn to receive a lovely run from the inside draw, and this is a winnable race for her.

Listed Neds Christmas Stakes (1200m) – 4:30pm AEDT
No. 2 Sansom

A talented field will contest the Neds Christmas Stakes, but I am a huge fan of Sansom, and I am happy to stick with him here.

Sansom has recorded eight wins and a further four minors from just eighteen career starts so far, and he resumed in October for a lovely win over 1200m at The Valley, and backed that up with a Group 3 win in the Chatham Stakes.

Here’s about 6 weeks between runs, but flies fresh and the $6 available at publish could prove to be big overs.

Listed Neds Lord Stakes (1700m) – 5:10pm AEDT
No. 7 Tavidance

Another exceptionally well named feature race and some quality horses engaged, including Tavidance.

He rarely runs a bad race, but there’s no doubt that Tavidance has continued to improve with each effort back this time, culminating in a dominant win at Pakenham a few weeks ago.

The small rise in trip suits and this looks a lovely bit of black type for him.

Dennis Hanrahan Handicap (2000m) – 5:50pm AEDT
No. 4 Astraeus

Astraeus has clearly found his best form this preparation, and I am happy to stick with him in the last on Neds Christmas Stakes Day.

Astraeus has always hinted at above average ability, but it is fair to say that he has really started to show it this time, winning two of his last three in impressive fashion.

He clearly enjoys racing at this track and distance and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.