Caulfield Tips & Preview – Saturday 25th June
Grandslam will contest the Australia Day Cup. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Caulfield Tips & Preview – Saturday 25th June

Racing returns to Caulfield on Saturday, and we’ll be treated to nine talent-rich contests.

With races like the Neds Punters Toolbox Handicap and Neds Same Race Multi Handicap appearing in the program, we think that this is just about as good as it gets in winter, and you can find our complete Caulfield Tips below.

Take It To The Neds Level Handicap (1200m) – 11:50am
No. 2 Unusual Culture

Unusual Culture hasn’t been seen at the races since December and she will be making her debut in Australia this week, but her debut prep suggested she could be something special.

The Unusual Suspect filly won on debut at Otaki in November and filled the minors of a couple of Group 3 races subsequently.

She clearly goes well fresh and can begin her Australian career in style.

Neds Punters Toolbox Handicap (1100m) – 12:25pm
No. 3 Ghaanati

Ghaanati was an impressive winner on debut and rates as a key winning chance again in the second at Caulfield on Saturday.

The Team Snowden-trained filly showed promise at the trials prior to debuting and put the writing on the wall with a dominant win at Flemington earlier this month.

She’ll only improve for that effort, and she’s certainly the one to beat on exposed form!

Neds Fully Loaded Handicap (1100m) – 1pm
No. 1 Rainbiel

She didn’t show a lot when resuming in the Golden Topaz, but Rainbiel has an outstanding second-up record, and this looks a very winnable race for her.

The Toronado mare has been outstanding for the Chibnall yard since debuting and has picked off some nice races, including the Listed Black Pearl last time in.

She has recorded two wins and as many placings from four previous second-up attempts, and she’ll enjoy some relief in the weights this week under Thomas Stockdale.

Neds Whatever You Bet On Handicap (2000m) – 1:35pm
No. 1 Grandslam

Grandslam can return to winning form in the fourth at Caulfield on Saturday.

The full brother to champion mare Jameka hasn’t matched the feats of that talented sibling, but he has proven to be a smart galloper in his own right.

He recorded a lovely win in the VOBIS Gold Heath here three starts back, and has since finished fifth the Warrnambool Cup and in BM100 company.

Rock-hard fit, this looks his race.

Neds Same Race Multi Handicap (1600m) – 2:10pm
No. 1 Chief Altony

Chief Altony will take beating in the Neds Same Race Multi Handicap.

Alex Rae’s stable star has been a typically competitive performer this time in, and he was rewarded for his condition with a lovely win at Sandown two back, before only just missing last time out.

He strikes this race in peak order, is drawn well, and is another galloper that will relish some relief in the weights.

Lamaro’s Hotel Handicap (1000m) – 2:45pm
No. 4 Squid Game

I concede that the classy favourite Inundation will be tough to toss, but I am a big fan of Squid Game, and this looks the perfect race for him.

Squid Game hit the ground running and stamped himself as one to watch with consecutive wins at Sandown and Flemington when debuting in spring, and he went to the paddock after filling the minors in another strong Saturday race.

He’s improved for two starts back this time and only just missed beaten Dragonstone earlier this month, who has since franked the form by winning at Listed level.

Miss Liddy’s Giddyap Lap (1200m) – 3:20pm
No. 3 Blaze A Trail

Blaze A Trail was an impressive winner here first-up from a spell, and he looks well placed to make it two in a row on Saturday.

The Criterion entire has been arguably the best progeny of that sire’s limited batch, and has missed placing only a handful of times in thirteen trips to the races.

He’s won at this point of his preparation previously, he’s drawn a peach under Jye McNeil and won’t be lining up against any real stars this week.

Stephen Howell Memorial Trophy (1400m) – 4pm
No. 3 Arran Bay

Arran Bay has returned three competitive efforts without striking this time, and I am happy to give him one last chance at Caulfield on Saturday.

The Phillip Stokes-trained gelding has finished second twice in three starts back, and he was only just denied by Jimmy The Bear at Flemington last time out.

The conditions of this race look perfect for him, and with appropriate luck from the draw, he can win.

Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (1400m) – 4:33pm
No. 4 Mr Exclusive

I’m going to have something on Mr Exclusive in the last at Flemington on Saturday.

Mr Exclusive hasn’t won for some time, but he has stepped out in some tough races during his recent preps, and I thought that he was really good when third, beaten half a length here first-up.

He’s a multiple second-up winner, and I thought that this looks a lovely target for him.