Only two weeks remain until the first Group 1 of the 2026 Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, and with the countdown to Winx Stakes Day officially on, we shift our attention to Saturday’s nine-race program at Caulfield Heath.
Wet weather earlier in the week and a few showers leading up to race day has the track rated a Soft 7 with the rail out three metres.
Some promising spring types step out as short-priced favourites across the day, and you can find our best bets for every race in our preview down below!
LEOPARD SHARK (2) gets in well with the 1.5kg claim second-up for Clayton Douglas.
This three-year-old daughter to Churchill might have a class edge over her rivals after competing at Group 2 and 3 level earlier in the autumn, while her fresh run at Flemington was promising when she ran on late for second after being held up across heels midway down the straight.
We saw her shed the maiden tag over 1200m at Pakenham in February by nearly three lengths, so the rise in trip is working in he favour here.
| 2. Leopard Shark (4) J: Luke Cartwright 55.5kg 118×2T: Clayton Douglas | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months made ground from midfield; 2nd of 8 at Flemington 2yo Hcp on July 18 over 1000m, on a slow track; 1.5 len behind Riverina Lulu with 54.5kg at $26. Previously second-up 6th of 9 at Caulfield in the G3 Bd/Prev F on January 24 over 1000m, 4 len behind Rubi’s Choice carrying 56kg at $26. Nice return and has claims. | |||
BOTANICAL BOY (6) should take a stack of improvement into this second-up assignment.
The Freedman-trained galloper ran on strongly to finish only four lengths off at Sandown fresh over a touch shorter, winding up nicely down the outside to hit the line hard.
He was tackling a heavy track that day and would probably appreciate if the rain kept falling right through to Saturday. Drawn well and looking like he’ll handle longer for the first time, he rates a key contender in an open race.
| 6. Botanical Boy (2) J: Jamie Mott 60.5kg 114×5T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | |||
| Second-up. First-up after six months 5th of 14 at Sandown-Hillside Bm78 on July 15 over 1400m, on a wet track; 4 len behind Kahhof with 56.5kg at $6. Previously second-up 4th of 11 at Pakenham Bm66 on November 28 over 1200m, slow going 1.75 len behind Supernima with 58kg at $4.40. Did enough fresh and should take beating. | |||
CAVALRY GIRL (6) should be one of the fastest into stride after running her rivals off their feet a couple of weeks ago at Morphettville in the Listed Lightning Stakes.
Tom Dabernig’s mare rolled straight to the front and made every post a winner in an impressive display, putting up a 4.5 length margin in the end fourth-up from a spell.
She won’t know herself dropping back to 53kg for this contest and draws to do no work in the early stages from the soft gate. With similar choppy conditions expected, she’s the one to beat.
| 6. Cavalry Girl (4) J: Linda Meech 53kg x2121T: Tom Dabernig | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run favourite; scored a big 4.5 len win at Morphettville LR Lightning Stks July 25 over 1050m on a rain affected track defeating Yuuki with 57kg at $2.60. The start before that tried to lead throughout but was claimed late 2nd of 8 at Caulfield 3yo F Hcp on July 11 over 1100m, slow going 1.0 len behind Signature Scent carrying 60kg at $6.50. Flying and gets in very well, go close again. | |||
DAVIDA (2) is an interesting each-way prospect in another open race over the mile.
The daughter to Bivouac may have a decent fitness edge over a few key rivals given she’s spent her last three starts competing over 1400m.
Luck wasn’t on her side when she was held up badly at Flemington last start, finishing down the order but only beaten 2.6 lengths in the end.
This is her first go at the mile and the gate makes things tricky, but if she can work forward early and land on the speed, she’ll take catching with Blake Shinn engaged.
| 2. Davida (11) J: Blake Shinn 60.5kg x0158T: Danny O’brien | |||
| At the latest run 8th of 14 at Flemington 3yo F Hcp on July 18 over 1400m, on a slow track; 2.5 len behind Salizou with 58.5kg at $5.50. The race before that 5th of 10 at Caulfield 3yo Hcp on July 11 over 1400m, slow going 5 len behind Cruiserweight carrying 54kg at $11. Looked stiff latest, if she can jump and run she’ll go close. | |||
BEAUTIFUL BEVY (14) looks a likely improver here for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.
She’s the model of consistency this prep, winning her maiden fresh on the synthetic at Ballarat, on her way to running third at Caulfield on the course proper last time out where she finished within a length of the talented Prince Tycoon.
The daughter to Exceed and Excel just lacked the late speed to go on with the job that day, but down at the weights and proving she can handle wet conditions, she’s right in the mix here.
| 14. Beautiful Bevy (7) J: Luke Cartwright 53kg 8×123T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |||
| Recent form sound. Last start held ground to the line 3rd of 13 at Caulfield 3yo Hcp on July 25 over 1100m, on a slow track; 0.9 len behind Prince Tycoon carrying 51.5kg at $12. The race before that raced on the pace when 2nd of 9 at Sandown-Lakeside 3yo F Bm64 on July 8 over 1200m, on rain affected going; 6 len behind Queen Peta with 59kg at $12. Progressive and should go close. | |||
CUSTOM (9) looks one of the better bets after gapping her rivals by three lengths here on the course proper two weeks ago.
She’s in well with the 2kg claim at the weights and still has good improvement to come with two runs under her belt this prep.
Stripping fitter, she’ll be very hard to hold out if she’s given the right ride off the speed again with similar track conditions expected.
| 9. Custom (6) J: Jabez Johnstone 54kg 44×21T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 9 at Caulfield 3yo F Hcp on June 27 over 1200m, slow going long-neck behind Afterberna carrying 59kg at $5.50. Last start favourite; won by 3 len at Caulfield F&M Bm74 July 25 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Sun Setting with 56.5kg at $2.35. Dominant last time and should be winning again. | |||
ZORRO’S FLIGHT (13) is airborne right now for Patrick Payne and looks a leading hope if he earns a spot in this field as the first emergency.
The Toronado gelding angled into the clear out wide at Sale last start over the mile, letting down with a sensational turn of foot at the 200m mark to go 2.5 lengths clear.
This is a big step up to Saturday grade for his first look at 1800m, but we did see him run well here as a four-year-old when he just missed out on a place in the VOBIS Guineas.
| 13. Zorro’s Flight (1) J: Jake Noonan 58.5kg x2121T: Patrick Payne | |||
| Recent form sound. At the latest run favourite; won by 2.5 len at Sale Bm66 July 26 over 1600m in soft going defeating Nearing Liberty carrying 60.5kg at $3.70. The start before that made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 11 at Mildura Bm66 on July 17 over 1400m, 2 len behind El Tercero with 60.5kg at $2.90. Far too good latest and can measure up. | |||
Group 3 winner LITZDEEL (5) is quite obviously the class runner in this field first-up, given she also ran fifth in the Sydney Cup last time we saw her.
The fact she’s wanting much longer is the obvious query as she warms into her prep, but the decision to tackle 1800m off a decent break also suggests she’s ready to rock ‘n’ roll with only the one trial leading in.
Her wet track form gets a tick providing we’re not racing in the heavy range, and if she’s afforded some early running room along the rail, she should get a lovely sit in behind the speed.
| 5. Litzdeel (1) J: Blake Shinn 57kg 0225xT: Danny O’brien | |||
| Resuming today after a break of four months. Finished off last preparation fifth of 14 at Randwick in the G1 Sydney Cup April 11 over 3200m, 2.25 len behind Changingoftheguard carrying 51kg at $10. First up last campaign tenth of 14 at Caulfield in the G3 Carlyon Cup February 7 over 1600m, 4 len behind Light Infantry Man with 56.5kg at $51. Good stayer, just wonder if they’ll be a bit sharp for her. | |||
CHANGING COLOURS (8) should take beating here back slightly in trip third-up.
The daughter to The Autumn Sun let rip with some outstanding changeup speed to win by two lengths over the mile at Flemington a few weeks ago, and there’s more where that came from given she won a fillies and mares race over the track and distance as a four-year-old.
In good form and showing no signs of slowing down, she’s an easy on-top selection with barrier 2 offering Blake Shinn every opportunity to work his way home from well back in the field.
| 8. Changing Colours (2) J: Blake Shinn 56.5kg 27×41T: Lucy Yeomans | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming 4th of 13 at Flemington F&M Bm90 on June 20 over 1420m, slow going 2 len behind Stylish carrying 52.5kg at $14. Second-up favourite; won by 2 len at Flemington F&M Bm78 July 18 over 1600m on a rain affected track defeating Street Lark carrying 57.5kg at $4.40. Dominant latest and should be very hard to hold out again. | |||