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 line by 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 (7) J: Lachlan Neindorf 56.5kg 2 T: Danny O’brien |
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 (11) J: Lachlan Neindorf 58.5kg 1123x T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
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 in the third on Monash Stakes Day.
| 7. Jenni Gone Bonkers (8) J: Jett Stanley 54kg 1377x T: Ciaron Maher |
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 8135x T: Ciaron Maher |
PRINCE ERIC (9) is racing well enough to give this handicap event 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 (12) J: Luke Cartwright 56kg 6×843 T: Archie Alexander |
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 weeks 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 7×932 T: Danny O’brien |
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 in the feature race at Caulfield on Saturday.
| 6. Watchme Win (6) J: Lachlan Neindorf 58.5kg x228x T: Andrew Gluyas |
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 0x311 T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
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 29156 T: Lindsey Smith |