Spring racing hits full stride this Saturday with a blockbuster Caulfield Guineas Day card that promises high-class action from top to tail.
The headline act is, of course, the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas, a stallion-making contest that has launched the careers of champions and cult heroes alike.
But the undercard is no less compelling, featuring a trio of Group 1s including the Toorak Handicap and the Might and Power Stakes, where Cox Plate hopefuls will stake their claims.
With the stage set and the stars aligned, let’s get stuck into the form and uncover the Caulfield winners.
MR VERSE (2) will appreciate dropping in distance and class after giving a good account of himself after settling a long way back to finish 3.28 lengths sixth to Gilded Water over 2000m here in a significantly stronger race.
The Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained gelding found the line strongly two starts back when winning over 1600m on the Hillside track.
That was his third win from his past five starts so he’s racing in super form.
He has 61.5kg to carry but is no stranger to big imposts having carried 60kg in the above-mentioned win and 60.5kg when going down by a head three starts ago.
Blake Shinn piloting is a plus.
POINT BARROW (5) produced a real eyecatcher last start in the Group 3 Scarborough Stakes when not suited by the tight Moonee Valley track.
The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained daughter of Blue Point settled at the tail after drawing the outside gate before savaging the line to finish 1.3 lengths third.
She’ll love getting back on a bigger track as she proved two and three starts ago when winning back-to-back races at Bendigo and Hillside.
She’s at peak fitness now and will take some holding out.
TARAMANSOUR (11) returns from Sydney and looks ready to return to the winner’s stall for the first time this preparation.
The Phillip Stokes-trained gelding was doing his best work late when finishing 1.05 lengths third in the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality at Rosehill.
That followed an unlucky run in the Group 3 Archer Stakes at Flemington where he was held up behind the leader in the straight and lost momentum as others went by him to finish 2.21 lengths fifth.
He’s rock hard fit and maps to get an economical run from the inside draw in the 2025 Herbert Power.
OH TOO GOOD (5) can bounce back after enduring a torrid run in the Group 2 Stocks Stakes at The Valley last start.
The daughter of All Too Hard worked hard outside the lead so it was understandable that she weakened late to finish 5.8 lengths seventh.
She returned in great order the start prior where she stormed home to finish a head second in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes.
She’ll strip fitter and is undefeated in three previous third-up races.
Damian Lane will give a beautiful run just behind the lead.
KING ZEPHYR (8) returned in good order two starts ago over 1200m at The Valley when finishing 1.05 lengths third.
The Grahame Begg-trained gelding quickly returned to his best last start when proving a class above with a 1.3 length win over 1400m on the Hillside track.
While this is his toughest test to date, he’s marched his way through the grades in style with six wins from nine starts and looks more than capable at this level.
He’ll strip fitter and won his only previous third-up race.
Jordan Childs can once again land in the A1 spot and stalk the speed.
BUCKAROO (2) signaled that he was set for a big Spring Carnival when he found the line powerfully from well back first-up to finish three lengths third to Treasurethe Moment in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding ran a super race second-up when finding the front in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes only for Sir Delius to fight back and beat him by a long neck.
That form has been franked with Sir Delius impressively winning the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at his next start.
Buckaroo will strip fitter third-up and won the Underwood Stakes last year when having his third run back.
James McDonald can stalk Treasurethe Moment in the small field and get the better of her in the straight.
FEROCE (4) caught the eye when finishing 1.1 lengths third to Sepals in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes last start.
The Dominic Sutton-trained gelding powered to the line suggesting that the rise to 1600m third-up will be ideal and that he’s close to a win.
On this day last year, he was awfully unlucky not to win the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas after being held up and going down by a nose so there is precedence for a massive third-up run over this course and distance.
He seems well over the odds for a horse that brings his credentials and form to the race, each way all day.
VINROCK (2) wasn’t suited by the tight Moonee Valley track but worked to the line well and was also found to be lame last start in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, so I’m prepared to forgive him.
The Matt Laurie-trained colt was excellent the start prior in the Listed Exford Stakes at Flemington when overcoming the outside barrier to win by 1.8 lengths.
He set the world on fire in his preparation where he went undefeated which included a win in the Group 1 Inglis Sires’ Produce Stakes.
The bigger track will be to his liking and I’m expecting him to show his best with the winkers going on back on.
NIANCE (9) was taken back last start when resuming Group 1 Moir Stakes and did well to find the line to finish 2.29 lengths seventh.
The Grahame Begg-trained mare has since been back to the jump outs where she produced a pleasing piece of work to go across the line with Tropicus and Giga Kick.
She loves racing over this course and distance having won two from two, both at Listed level.
Jordan Childs can give her a beautiful run on speed from the inside barrier in the Schillaci Stakes.
AMEENA (1) looks well placed dropping back to this level after competing in the Group 1 Moir Stakes last start.
The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained mare gave a good account of herself despite the race shape not favouring her, running on from the tail to finish 3.45 lengths fifth.
She was luckless when resuming the start prior in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes where she was squeezed in the straight when full of running and only getting clear late.
The Group 2 winner will strip fitter third-up.