2024 Caulfield Members’ Day Tips & Preview

2024 Caulfield Members’ Day Tips & Preview

Caulfield is on the quick back-up this Saturday for Caulfield Members’ Day where ten races will be run and won. 

The rail is out 8m the entire course and a good surface should be presented with a positive weather forecast. 

After delving deep into the form, we’ve provided our top selections in each race below. 

Race 1 - 11:45AM AEST Two-Year-Old Open Handicap (1400 METRES)
No. 3 Signor Bill

Signor Bill loved the rise to this distance last start when bolting in by five lengths to break his maiden status at Ballarat. 

The Saxon Warrior gelding was racing well before that with a 1.8 length second at Sandown Lakeside on debut before going down by a nose over 1200m at Pakenham two starts ago.  

He has a fitness edge over most of his rivals and maps to get a beautiful run on speed from barrier 1 for Billy Egan. 

best bet
Race 2 - 12:15PM AEST Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100 METRES)
No. 1 Mawallock

Mawallock looks primed for a bold showing first-up following a 29-week spell. 

The Lindsay Smith-trained mare has won four of her five career starts including an easy two length win over this distance at Hamilton last start. 

She has warmed up for this first-up assignment with two jump outs with the most recent piece of work resulting in a huge win despite being under a hold.  

Tayla Childs’ 3kg claim is beneficial and she maps to get a beautiful run.  

each way
Race 3 - 12:45PM AEST Benchmark 70 Handicap (1700 METRES)
No. 8 Blue Moon

Blue Moon returns here on the back of three jump outs so she should have a good level of fitness. 

The Matt Laurie-trained former kiwi mare impressed in her first start in Australia when kicking off last preparation at The Valley. 

She was held up badly and only got clear with 150m to go in the 1600m contest but let down powerfully to win by half a length. 

Her preparation ended after her second start when found to be lame, but she looks to be over any problems given the concussion plates have come off. 

Celine Gaudray’s 1.5kg claim is a plus. 

each way
Race 4 - 1:20PM AEST Three-Year-Old Open Handicap (1100 METRES)
No. 3 Pantelone

Pantelone has come back this preparation in good style. 

The Godolphin-owned son of Street Boss was held up when resuming on the Hillside track before finding the line well for a 1.3 length third. 

Last start he shot through a gap on the fence to finish off strongly and win by a nose over 1200m on the Lakeside track. 

He’ll strip fitter and did win third-up last preparation at Mornington. 

He’s drawn to get a sweet run for Billy Egan. 

each way
Race 5 - 1:55PM AEST Benchmark 90 Handicap (1000 METRES)
No. 4 Twin Perfection

Twin Perfection resumes from a short let up looking to add to his already impressive record. 

The Phillip Stokes-trained gelding won his past two starts including a strong on speed win over 1100m here. 

He’s tuned up for this with two jump outs with the most recent indicating he is set for a bold showing. 

Brian Higgins is undefeated in four rides on him and should give him every chance from the kind draw. 

Race 6 - 2:30PM AEST Three-Year-Old Open Handicap (1400 METRES)
No. 2 Grinzinger Belle

Grinzinger Belle has been freshened after giving subsequent Group 1 winner Vibrant Sun a fright in the Group 3 Alexandra Stakes. 

The Shamexpress filly led and fought bravely to go down by half a length with four lengths back to third. 

She races well fresh and did win the Group 3 The Vanity over this distance when first-up this preparation.  

The outside gate isn’t ideal but as she demonstrated in that black-type win, she has the early speed to cross and lead.  

Race 7 - 3:05PM AEST Benchmark 100 Handicap (1600 METRES)
No. 3 Here To Shock

Here To Shock has returned this preparation in fine fettle and looks set for a peak performance third-up. 

The Team Hayes-trained gelding stormed home down the outside to win the Group 3 Victoria Handicap last start at this track. 

The form from that race has been franked with the runner-up, Seonee, winning the Group 2 Queen Of The South Stakes at her next start.  

He’s since been back to the trials where he cruised around in a nice piece of work. 

He loves Caulfield and does his best work third-up, having won three of five starts. 

each way
Race 8 - 3:40PM AEST Three-Year-Old Open Handicap (2000 METRES)
No. 7 Steel Run

Steel Run settled in the first half of the field but was forced to sustain a long run when winning on debut over 1600m on The Heath track last start. 

The way he picked up in the concluding stages to power through the line suggests that the rise to 2000m here looks ideal.  

Ethan Brown sticks and should be able to settle in a prominent position from barrier 4. 

Race 9 - 4:20PM AEST Benchmark 100 Handicap (2000 METRES)
No. 1 Berkeley Square

Berkeley Square is on the quick back-up after winning over this course and distance last Saturday. 

The four-year-old gelding was thrown in under the set weight conditions of the race but did well to finish off strongly for a 1.3 length victory. 

It had been some time since his previous win, but he had been competing in stronger races and he does look well placed again.  

Luke Currie was aboard for last start’s win and if he gets clear running in the straight, then he’ll be fighting out the finish. 

best bet
Race 10 - 4:55PM AEST Benchmark 84 Handicap (1400 METRES)
No. 2 Chorlton Lane

Chorlton Lane impressed when resuming at Bendigo last start. 

The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old gelding had a solid fitness base leading into his first-up assignment which helped him let down powerfully from the back to win easily by 1.5 lengths. 

The form from the race has been franked with Extratwo and Green Fly, who were second and third, winning their next starts well. 

He remains in the same class and with Celine Gaudray’s claim, he’ll carry just 1.5kg more than last start.