Caulfield Tips & Preview – Saturday, May 3

I’m disappointed that Prestige Snitzel was scratched as I thought it was a good thing.

This two-year-old race is more open now and I’ll be with Prestige Ole (1) who is looking for his third win in a row.

The son of Ole Kirk found the line well to win two starts ago at Ballarat before producing a strong effort last start over this distance at Flemington where he was able to run on strongly off a moderate speed to win by a neck.

He’s five weeks between runs so has been kept at this distance and should enjoy a nice run from the inside barrier.

Gracie’s Rain (3) found the line nicely last start over 1000m at Mornington to finish just over a half-length third. 

The Akeed Mofeed mare had been in winning form prior to that with back-to-back victories over 1100m at Kilmore and Stony Creek. 

She rises in class but will appreciate the big drop in weight and will carry just 55.5kg following Luke Cartwright’s claim. 

From barrier 1, I’d expect her to lead and give them something to catch. 

Landmark (8) returned in great order two starts ago when running on well to finish a half-length third over 1000m on the Sandown Hillside track. 

The Kennewell & Yeomans-trained colt caught the eye last start at Bendigo where he was held up until a furlong to go at which point he got to the outside and savaged the line.  

He’ll strip fitter and went within a head of defeating First Settler when third-up at Flemington in his only previous third-up race. 

There looks to be good speed in the race which will aid his cause. 

Nostringsattached (1) returns home after encountering a chequered path in the Listed South Pacific Classic at Randwick and finishing a neck second. 

The Busuttin & Young-trained Extreme Choice colt was in fine form prior to that with three wins to start the preparation. 

That included a strong win in the Future Stars Final at Pakenham over this distance where he won by just under a length, but the margin should have been a lot bigger given he was held up. 

He was six weeks between runs last start so will have come on greatly since then. 

While he has a big weight to contend with, top jockey Blake Shinn remains in the saddle. 

Oak Hill (4) caught the eye last start when finishing just under a length second in the Country Discovery at Echuca. 

The Team Hayes-trained gelding didn’t have the clearest path, but stormed home once clear and probably should have won with no hinderance.  

He’s been racing in great form this preparation with two wins over 955m at The Valley. 

There looks to be good speed in the race which suits and if he doesn’t encounter traffic then he can win with Blake Shinn riding. 

Immediacy (3) was scratched from Thursday’s Warrnambool Cup in favour of this and that needs to be respected. 

The Busuttin & Young-trained gelding caught the eye when resuming over 1600m at Flemington two starts ago where he produced the quickest final 600m of the race, to finish 3.6 lengths sixth despite the race being on-pace dominated. 

He loved the rise to this distance last start at Mornington where he won comfortably by 1.5 lengths despite wanting to lay in.  

He’ll strip fitter third-up and won the G2 Autumn Classic at his third start. 

Blake Shinn is a key booking for the talented stayer. 

Oxford Blue (3) has come back this preparation in good form and looks well placed returning to his own age. 

The son of Fiorente did his best work in the final furlong when finishing just under a length third first-up before he proved too strong second-up at Sale. 

He looks ready for 2000m after savaging the line last start over 1800m on the Caulfield Heath track to miss the win by a nose.  

He’s at peak fitness now and should settle in a prominent position for Blake Shinn. 

Pride Of Jenni (1) faces the easiest opposition she’s encountered in three years, and I have to be with the multiple G1 winner. 

The Ciaron Maher-trained was excellent first-up when leading all the way in the G2 Peter Young Stakes here for a 2.8 length win. 

She was well beaten in the G1 Australian Cup which will turn people off her, but I think at this point in her career, 2000m is a stretch. 

The drop back to a mile suits given she has won or finished runner-up in seven of 12 starts over the distance including last year’s All-Star Mile here.  

Craig Newitt will look to control the race and if that eventuates then she should prove hard to run down.  

Hughes (7) is a progressive five-year-old that has been racing in super form this preparation. 

The Gavin Bedggood-trained son of Russian Revolution finished a close second when resuming at Seymour before winning second-up at Cranbourne despite being held up. 

Last start he let down powerfully to win over this course and distance by a neck. 

That was four weeks ago so he’s been back to jump outs where he produced a slick piece of work to finish strongly under his own steam to win easily. 

Logan Bates, who claims 3kg, can stalk the speed similar to how he won last start.