The focus in Melbourne shifts to Caulfield on Saturday with the sprinters stepping out in a very open edition of the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes.
Another wet Saturday awaits with rain forecast across the program, and it’s worth noting the rail is out six metres as of Wednesday.
With the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival right around the corner, see where we’ve landed ahead of another nine-race program at Caulfield.
EILISH (9) is making her second start for Danny O’Brien after being pipped right on the lineby Sharaz a few weeks ago at Bendigo.
The daughter to Written By crossed and led from the wide gate, opening up a three-length gap into the straight before she was run down over her final few strides.
She deserved to win that day and has a little less work to do this time from barrier 8. With the rail out, she’ll be up on the speed and just as hard to catch with improvement still to come.
| 9. Eilish (8) J: Lachlan Neindorf 56.5kg 2T: Danny O’brien | |||
| At debut, crossed from a wide gate to lead but couldn’t hold on when 2nd of 14 at Bendigo Mdn-Sw on June 25 over 1100m, slow going long-neck behind Sharaz carrying 56kg at $16. Nice debut and sets up well here. | |||
STEALTH OF NIGHT (8) returns for the Hayes boys with a couple of nice jump outs to her name leading in.
This mare by Night Of Thunder won twice at the midweeks over the summer last year at Sandown, before venturing out over 1400m here twice at Caulfield where she ran a place behind some smart horses like Harry’s Yacht.
Having found the cash in all three of her first-up assignments in the past, she looks a real threat to get back and run on if she can find early cover from the wide gate.
| 8. Stealth Of Night (13) J: Lachlan Neindorf 58.5kg 1123xT: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of four-and-a-half months. Finished off last campaign third of 10 at this track Bm84 February 21 over 1400m, 1.75 len behind Harry’s Yacht with 55.5kg at $3.50. First up last campaign second of 8 at Cranbourne Bm70 November 22 over 1300m, a nose behind Al Prancer carrying 56.5kg at $3.50. Looks forward enough after a recent trial win. Handy mare who can win despite being better over slightly furthe | |||
JENNI GONE BONKERS (7) gets in well at the weights carrying only 54kg on return.
There are a few talented horses in this field, but she looks to have a bit of a class edge after placing at Stakes level over the spring last year.
The daughter to Maurice can mix her form, but she’s typically raced well fresh with a win and a place to her name. She might be looking for longer, but off a good recent jump out win at Cranbourne, she looks forward enough to make a statement here.
| 7. Jenni Gone Bonkers (9) J: Jett Stanley 54kg 1377xT: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of four-and-a-half months. Finished off last preparation seventh of 9 at this track in the G2 Armanasco February 21 over 1400m, 7 len behind Sheza Alibi carrying 56kg at $21. Previous preparation first-up to post a big 5 len win. Pakenham 3yo Mdn-Sw November 7 over 1400m slow track defeating Geeseven carrying 56kg at $1.50. Has ability, respecting. | |||
Feel as though SIGNATURE SCENT (2) will appreciate this drop back in class off a bit of a break.
Ciaron Maher’s filly was a handy winner at Morphettville three back in late March, before being thrown in the deep end in the Listed Redelva Stakes where she ran on well for third.
Her latest effort saw her finish only three lengths off Tycoon Star at long odds in the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes, two solid outings that read well for this off a 12 week break.
Drawn well and likely to handle any chance of a truly wet track; she appeals.
| 2. Signature Scent (2) J: Jabez Johnstone 58.5kg 8135xT: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Filly returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation fifth of 15 at Morphettville in the G2 Tobin April 25 over 1200m, 3 len behind Tycoon Star with 55.5kg at $41. When resuming last campaign fifth of 12 at this track in the G3 Peter Le Grand February 7 over 1100m, 3 len behind Alpha Sofie carrying 57kg at $5.50. Has the class and draws nicely, go close. | |||
PRINCE ERIC (9) is racing well enough to give this a good shake.
Archie Alexander’s gelding hasn’t won for some time, but he has gone close in recent efforts, last seen making up good ground for third here over the track/trip to finish a distant five lengths off Belle Savoir.
Settling close to the speed is the key to his chances on Saturday and he’s another won that should appreciate some give in the track.
| 9. Prince Eric (13) J: Luke Cartwright 56kg 6×843T: Archie Alexander | |||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run 3rd of 14 at this track Bm78 on June 27 over 2000m, slow going 5.5 len behind Belle Savoir with 57.5kg at $17. Before that 4th of 9 at Rosehill Bm78 on June 13 over 2000m, on a slow track; 2.75 len behind Nobler carrying 59kg at $16. Made headway last time. | |||
OUR CHIEF (3) rates a key chance in an open staying contest.
The three-year-old son to Tagaloa has gone close in two recent tries at Flemington, finishing third over the mile two back, before running on extremely well for second out over the 2000m a few weks ago from very sticky gate.
The heavy track never helped him that day, but he does look better suited here on a slightly firmer deck. A little luck from barrier eight this time would see him go close.
| 3. Our Chief (8) J: Jamie Mott 56kg 7×932T: Danny O’brien | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start set the pace for much of the race 2nd of 15 at Flemington 3yo Qlty on June 20 over 2000m, on rain affected going; 2.25 len behind Decalogue carrying 58kg at $7.50. The start before that made ground from midfield; 3rd of 12 at Flemington 3yo Hcp on June 6 over 1600m, on heavy track; 1.3 len behind Kaleo carrying 56.5kg at $15. Has been racing well. | |||
WATCHME WIN (6) hasn’t been seen since The Goodwood and typically flies fresh off a bit of a break.
He was runner-up twice at Group 3 level before drawing an awful gate in The Goodwood and now gets another crack at Caulfield after running fourth here last year at Listed level.
Lachlan Neindorf has some experience in the saddle and will likely look to settle handy to the speed in the early stages. Back a level, the pair look a strong chance.
| 6. Watchme Win (6) J: Lachlan Neindorf 58.5kg x228xT: Andrew Gluyas | |||
| Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation eighth of 14 at Morphettville in the G1 The Goodwood May 9 over 1200m, soft track; 1.75 len behind Desert Lightning carrying 56kg at $17. Previously first up; second of 10 at Morphettville in the G3 R N Irwin April 11 over 1100m, soft track; a neck behind Super Smink with 58.5kg at $2.80. | |||
COEUR VOLANTE (3) can go on with the job now in search of her hat-trick.
Jackson Radley has proven the difference in the saddle aboard the mare this time in work, timing his run to perfection here a fortnight earlier over the track and trip, where the pair let rip with a devastating turn of foot down the outside to go a length clear.
She gets in well with the 2kg claim again on Saturday and maps to get a similar run in transit from a nice soft gate. If she finds clear air when it counts, there won’t be much stopping her.
| 3. Coeur Volante (4) J: Jackson Radley 60.5kg 0x311T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Chasing a hat-trick. At the latest run came from midfield and won by 1.0 len at this track Hcp June 27 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Big Swinger carrying 58kg at $6.50. The start before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 1.3 len at Sandown-Hillside Hcp June 13 over 1400m in soft going defeating Boltsaver with 53.5kg at $4.60. | |||
FIRST CHORUS (9) has claims after finishing within two lengths of Stop The Rock over the track and distance only two weeks earlier.
Lindsey Smith’s mare ran on well to just miss out on the money from a very wide gate, and she’s likely to find this a more winnable assignment having drawn barrier three this time.
It is tougher in terms of class, but the wet track and Jamie Mott stepping back in the saddle are two ticks in the right box.
| 9. First Chorus (3) J: Jamie Mott 56.5kg 29156T: Lindsey Smith | |||
| At the latest run 6th of 15 at this track Bm78 on June 27 over 1700m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind Stop The Rock with 57.5kg at $6.50. The start before that 5th of 13 at Flemington F&M Bm90 on June 20 over 1420m, on a slow track; 2.5 len behind Stylish with 55.5kg at $4.80. | |||