Neds’ Saturday Best Bets have landed as we look to kick off the weekend the right way across Caulfield and Randwick!
DECLICHY BOULEVARD (1) is the pick here on class and recent form.
A multiple Stakes placegetter, this Snitzel mare worked home well in the Goulburn Cup fresh from a spell, finishing a length third to Just Party after setting up in behind the speed.
James McDonald has some experience in the saddle and from another soft gate, she should be rolling to the front again and looking to make her presence felt.
| 1. Declichy Boulevard (5) J: James McDonald 59.5kg x15x3 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months 3rd of 16 in a Goul Cup Mbm98 at Goulburn on August 23 over 1400m, 1.0 len behind Just Party with 55.5kg at $6.50. Previously second-up 5th of 15 in a Nat Clas Fm-Wfa at Eagle Farm on June 6 over 1600m, 1.0 len behind Surfin’ Bird carrying 57kg at $9. Stakes placed mare who profiles well for this. | |||
UNLEESHING (7) should have her fair share of admirers here second-up.
She’s always been a mare capable of running an honest race, and that was again the case first-up over 1200m when she held up and forced to shift out midway down the straight, eventually running on impressively into second.
Another handy gate is the key to her chances on Saturday, and we’ve seen her run some nice races over these middle-distance trips in the past.
| 7. Unleeshing (2) J: Rachel King 58.5kg 152×2 T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Second run back. First-up after six months made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 15 in a Bm78 at this track on September 5 over 1200m, 2.25 len behind Decorum carrying 58kg at $15. Previously second-up 3rd of 12 in a F&M Bm78 at this track on January 3 over 1400m, 0.9 len behind Miss Spacegirl carrying 52kg at $3.80. Sure to prove hard to beat over the extra trip. | |||
The gate is a major knock, but I’m happy to stick with PORTINARI (6) third-up in this year’s Thousand Guineas Prelude.
She was well-backed in the Atlantic Jewel at Sandown a couple of weeks ago over 100m shorter, only to be caught in an awful spot midway down the straight where she was squeezed between a pair on her way to running third.
In saying that, I thought she closed the gap nicely once clear as she went close to pinching second, so there’s reason to believe she can handle 1400m for the first time.
Providing the dry track isn’t an issue, she’ll be tough to hold out again if Blake Shinn can find some cover.
| 6. Portinari (13) J: Blake Shinn 56kg x8243 T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run 3rd of 11 in the LR Atlantic Jewel Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1300m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Pretty Baby with 56kg at $4. The start before that 4th of 16 in the G3 Quezette Stakes at this track on August 15 over 1100m, on a slow track; 5.5 len behind Natural Fling carrying 56kg at $9. Racing well, just needs a touch of luck from the gate. | |||
ZAHRANN (14) has the talent to win a race like this, and it feels as though he’s starting to put it all together now for Ciaron Maher.
Granted, the Night Of Thunder entire has placed only once from three starts since arriving in Australia earlier in the year, but keep in mind he’s had wet tracks and some awkward gates to deal with throughout.
His run fresh in the Heatherlie Handicap for fourth in behind Kingswood was an encouraging return and he should be offered a tidy run in transit this time from barrier 8 off the speed in this year’s Naturalism Stakes, which offers a ballot free ride to the winner into the Caulfield Cup 2026.
| 14. Zahrann (6) J: Ethan Brown 55kg x53x4 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months 4th of 16 in a LR Heatherlie Stakes at this track on August 29 over 1700m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind Kingswood with 57kg at $11. Previously second-up 3rd of 14 in a Bm100 at Flemington on June 6 over 2000m, on heavy track; 1.1 len behind Ghetto Supastar with 57kg at $4.60. Lovely return and sets up well here. | |||