2024 Spring Classics Day Tips & Preview

Caesar Cipher is second-up for Godolphin coming off a handy win on debut at Benalla.  

The son of Encryption settled third in the run before making his move out of the turn, finding the middle of the straight and kicking clear to win by a handy two lengths in the end. 

This is tougher again, but he maps to get a similar ride in transit up on the speed with Blake Shinn taking over from Fred Kersley.  

Le Mans looks ready to peak third-up.  

The five-year-old Irish mare has shown plenty of ability in two starts since arriving in Australia, debuting at Caulfield last month in a BM78 where she made up a stack of late ground for third down the outside from a long way back.  

Her latest effort over the mile at The Valley was equally full of merit, adopting similar tactics and rattling home late to finish midfield among a wall of horses charging the line.  

Looking for longer and having won over 2000m overseas, this looks the perfect race for her to break through. 

Privileged Son could prove a factor if he gets the right run off the speed.  

The son of Savabeel was super impressive winning two back at Morphettville, overcoming some early traffic issues and really knuckling down to find top gear over the final furlong.  

He went close to repeating that effort a couple of weeks later at Sandown, charging home for third down the outside in a similar contest.  

Having races at Group 1 level in the past, he’s a decent each-way chance based on recent form, especially in a wide-open race featuring a number of chances.  

Eye Of The Eagle returns to Headquarters second-up for John McArdle.  

This son of Alpine Eagle fought on bravely to deny the fast-finishing Sunset Dreaming fresh at Sandown earlier in the month, form that has already been franked with the latter going on to win over her final few strides last Wednesday.  

Jamie Mott sticks and appears to have options from the middle gate and with improvement to come, there’s no reason he can’t go on with it.   

It feels as though Chipilly is starting to put it all together now for Symon Wilde.  

The filly by Shooting To Win is still winless through three starts, but she has found the money in her last to outings at Sandown and the ‘Bool.  

A slow start cost her two back on her way to finishing runner-up, while she probably could have won her latest if she wasn’t bumped at a crucial stage down the straight.  

Back on a dry deck and drawn well with Jamie Kah in the irons for the first time, she rates a major player at good odds.  

Quite keen to see Lavalier back out on a bigger track for the first time.  

The Godolphin colt was given a month between runs ahead of his assignment at The Valley a few weeks ago, struggling to find room at the top of the straight, but eventually finding the clear to run on for third.  

He’s by Microphone, so he’s bred to see out these longer trips and is still open to improvement in what will be his fourth start.  

With that recent run around the impressive Evaporate under his belt, this looks the right race for him to make a statement.  

The unbeaten Boardrider should have his fair share of support third-up.  

Clinton McDonald’s gelding by Preferment showed his debut win at Moe was no fluke, coming out and winning from a long way back at Sandown two weeks ago with a sensational turn of foot down the outside. 

This is harder again out to the mile, but after clocking some blazing late sectionals last time out, there’s nothing to suggest he can’t handle it.  

Isthmus is a little on the short side for mine, but you have to expect that for a horse that came and won so well on return at Sandown a couple of weeks back.  

A daughter of I Am Invincible, this smart four-year-old made it look easy when stoking up from a midfield position to grab the lead approaching the 100m mark, kicking clear to win by over two lengths in the end.  

This is harder, but she did handle Group 3 level quite well during the autumn, notably finishing midfield in the Casboult Classic at The Valley when 2.5 lengths off the winner.  

In well at the weights and just needing a touch of luck1 early from the gate, good luck beating her.