Get our Caulfield, Rosehill and Eagle Farm best bets for Saturday October 10, including key runners, race analysis and betting opportunities across both meetings.
BARRENGARRY (9) has returned in sparkling form, winning his past two starts.
The Joseph Ible-trained gelding impressed over a mile at Randwick last start. Despite racing three-wide throughout and carrying 60.5kg, he put his rivals away with ease.
This is a stronger race, but he’ll appreciate carrying 5kg less. He looks ready for 2000m and finished three lengths fifth in his only previous start over the distance, in the Group 3 Frank Packer Plate last preparation.
Zac Lloyd stays aboard and should be able to give him every chance stalking what looks like a decent speed.
| 9. Barrengarry (6) J: Zac Lloyd 55.5kg 15×11 T: Joseph Ible | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming favourite; won by 1.2 len in a Midway Bm72 at Randwick on September 5 over 1400m defeating Vexxy with 58kg at $5.50. Last start favourite; won by 0.7 len in a Midway Bm72 at Randwick on September 19 over 1600m defeating All Star carrying 60.5kg at $1.65. Racing well. Well placed to bring up the hat-trick. | |||
GRAFFITUDE (6) has already shown what a difference a stable change can make.
The son of Graff was beaten 1.61 lengths when fourth on debut over 1200m at Bairnsdale, then moved to Tony Gollan’s stable and quickly bounced back with a win over this course and distance.
He raced greenly, yet still proved too strong for his rivals, which points to further improvement.
Angela Jones has drawn well and should be able to give him a soft run.
| 6. Graffitude (1) J: Angela Jones 56kg 41 T: Tony Gollan | |||
| Progressive gelding who put away a 15-runner 3yo Maiden at this track on soft ground, beating Budda Bar by a length and a half after looming up strongly. His debut fourth at Bairnsdale had merit after being held up passing the 300m, and he now gets weight relief from that latest win. Lightly raced, progressive and clearly the runner to beat. | |||
SAMARELLE (8) is in the right form to make it back-to-back wins after arriving from Sydney.
The O’Shea and Charlton-trained mare got a long way back over 1400m at Warwick Farm two starts ago but made ground for second, beaten 3.26 lengths.
She settled off the pace again last start, though the rise to a mile suited and she finished strongly to win by a length.
This 1800m assignment looks a natural next step. Anna Roper’s claim brings her down to 55kg, and barrier 4 should give her every chance.
| 8. Samarelle (4) J: Anna Roper 55kg 60×21 T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton | |||
| Made the right progression second-up at Warwick Farm, winning over 1600m on soft ground as favourite despite early crowding and a bump on the home turn. She had worked home well for second there first-up in a 3yo+ FM Benchmark 72, and now arrives third-up with a 1.5kg claim. First go at 1800m is a query, but she sets the standard. | |||
PARADOXIUM (1) returned in magnificent order last start, winning the Poseidon Stakes at Flemington.
The Bjorn Baker-trained colt jumped straight to the front and was never headed, running quick time to win by a length.
He’s a month between runs, but a recent exhibition gallop pleased Jason Collett and should have him tuned up nicely.
The rise to 1200m shouldn’t faze him, given he won the Todman Stakes over this distance first-up last preparation. From the inside barrier, Collett should be able to land on speed and prove hard to run down.
| 1. Paradoxium (2) J: Jason Collett 56.5kg 106×1 T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months won by 1.0 len in the G3 Poseidon Stakes at Flemington on September 12 over 1100m defeating Mbube with 58.5kg at $3.50. Previously second-up 11th of 16 in the G1 Golden Slipper at this track on March 21 over 1200m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Guest House with 56.5kg at $13. Back in good order and hard to stop from the draw. | |||
BLIND RAISE (5) has tasted defeat only once in five starts, when he had excuses in the Group 2 Sires’ Produce at Eagle Farm last preparation.
The Busuttin and Young-trained gelding has returned in fine style this time in, with his last-start win in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude making quite an impression.
He was forced to work to share the lead, then came under pressure approaching the home straight as rivals tried to go around him. Blake Shinn stayed calm, allowing them their moment before asking the exciting three-year-old to respond. Blind Raise surged clear to win by 2.75 lengths, seemingly with another gear or two to use.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and looks more than capable of handling a mile for the first time.
Shinn is likely to try to control the race, and if he’s allowed to do so, Blind Raise should be hard to stop.
| 5. Blind Raise (2) J: Blake Shinn 57kg 19×11 T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | |||
| Third-up today. First-up favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 1.75 len in the LR Mitchell McKenzie Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1300m in soft going defeating Wolf Gap carrying 57.5kg at $3. Second-up favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 2.75 len in the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude at this track on September 19 over 1400m defeating Tornado Valley carrying 57kg at $2.40. Dominant latest and gets map favours, can upset the Sydney colts. | |||
LADY SHENANDOAH (2) looks ready to fire over a mile after two very good runs to start this preparation.
The Chris Waller-trained mare chased home Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi first-up in the Group 1 Winx Stakes when finishing fourth before an excellent effort last start in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes where she raced handy and held her ground to the line for a 1.27 length fourth.
She has an excellent record over 1600m having won the Group 1 Flight Stakes as a three-year-old and finishing second to Idle Flyer in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes when rounding out last preparation.
James McDonald returns to the saddle for the first time this preparation and should land in a prominent position.
| 2. Lady Shenandoah (9) J: James McDonald 58kg 42×44 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 4th of 11 in the G1 Winx Stakes at Randwick on August 22 over 1400m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 57kg at $19. Second-up sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 16 in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at this track on September 19 over 1400m, 1.3 len behind Angel Capital with 56kg at $4.80. Rock solid, no issue to a mile, she’ll run well. | |||