2024 Caulfield Social Day Tips & Preview

Le Mans should be rock-hard fit for this contest fourth-up from a spell.  

The four-year-old Irish import was only fair to the line after overracing in the early stages at Flemington last time out, Mark Zahra reporting afterward that she was likely better suited over further. 

The daughter of Kodiac did a few things wrong when searching for a run approaching the final furlong, but she has run some nice races over 2000m overseas.  

With the in-form Blake Shinn taking over in the saddle, she’ll be given every chance again if the pair can settle early in transit. 

Treasurethe Moment looks to be one of the more impressive fillies in Matt Laurie’s yard.  

The three-year-old daughter of Alabama Express punched clear along the rail to win over 1400m at Sandown last start, form that has held up nicely with third placegetter Chewing Gum running a nice race again last Saturday. 

She’s only had the two starts this time in work, so there’s still scope for improvement out to the mile with fitness on her side.  

Beau Mertens has retained the ride and from a slightly wide gate, we’ll likely see the pair settle forward early on speed.  

Quantum Cat is worth sticking with after finding excuses last start over shorter.  

The American import trained by Chris Waller presented early atop the straight but was squeezed between a pair of runners and came off second-best after a brush with Flamin’ Romans.  

He responded well to finish just outside the money, but that slight bump likely cost him a stride or two in the end.  

Drawn to receive a little more room in transit this time with Jordan Childs back in the saddle, this shapes as an ideal race for him to make amends. 

Victory Tune looks like one to watch on debut.  

The colt by Too Darn Hot won a trial on the Heath track a couple of weeks ago, flying home down the outside to prevail over his final few strides.  

He looks sharp enough to win when he faces the starter for the first time.  

Ruperts and Rocket is drawn to run a nice race at a price.  

The Craig Weeding’s six-year-old returned to the winner’s circle in fine style first-up at Wagga late last month, largely thanks to 10/10 ride by Jake Duffy through traffic down the straight.  

The son of Dream Ahead showed some late toe through the line that suggested he’ll handle further, and if there is any rain about on race day, he should appreciate a little sting out of the track.  

Marble Arch just needs luck from wider out to be a factor here.  

The Hayes-trained mare by Per Incanto has been given a few weeks between runs after winning at Morphettville last start, the five-year-old storming home from last to first to put away a small field with plenty left to spare.  

She has some nice form around the likes of Lady Jones and Another Wil from earlier in the year, while she’s also been successful at this stage of her prep in the past.  

If Mark Zahra can find cover early, don’t be surprised if she runs a big race at double figures.  

Nadal is a Group 1 caliber horse who is starting to put it all together for Ciaron Maher.  

The lightly-raced four-year-old by Xtravagant led for most of the way off a lengthy spell at Flemington last month, just lacking the conditioning when a wall of horses charged the line late for him to finish outside the prize money.  

Keep in mind he was racing over 1100m after nearly a year-long spell, so there’s big room for improvement, especially since he’s been given a jumpout between starts.  

Having placed at Group 2 level in the past, this looks a nice winnable assignment for him with potentially bigger things in mind.  

Kingswood looks to have grown a leg since joining Gavin Bedggood’s stable.  

The grey five-year-old entire to Irish Group 1 winning sire Roaring Lion was enormous first-up at Sandown a few weeks ago, unleashing a powerful turn of foot to storm the line and win by 2.25 lengths over shorter.  

This is a step up in class, but he did place in a Group 3 overseas, so there’s nothing to suggest he can’t measure up.  

Drawn well and most importantly, dropping 4.5kg under John Allen, a similar performance can be expected if the pair can get back and stalk the speed.