Group 1 racing returns to our screens on Saturday with the C.F. Orr Stakes headlining the 10-race program at Caulfield.
A handful of Australia’s top talent will be on display, including Mr Brightside in the feature, as well as a crop of promising two-year-olds in both Blue Diamond Prelude races.
For our thoughts on every race, continue reading below!
Premier Signs Handicap (2000m) – 11:15am AEDT
Flash Feeling came off second-best to Independent Road at The Valley a couple of weeks ago, failing to reel in the leader where he was beaten by no more than a nose in the end.
There was plenty to like about that run off a three-week break, and I do think his fitness will show on this occasion with less of a gap between starts.
The son of Iffraaj meets Independent Road much better off at the weights this time, and now that Craig Williams has a feel for him, I think the pair might settle a little further back this time in the hopes of launching late.
Suggested Bet: No. 9 Flash Feeling
Herald Sun Handicap (2040m) – 11:45am AEDT
Wertheimer has been up for a while but continues to race well for trainer Matthew Enright.
The Tavistock gelding was back in the winner’s circle two back at Geelong, competing in the blinkers for the first time where he took over and won from the 200m onward.
He seemed to find the rise to 2500m a step too far at Flemington a fortnight later, chasing hard but never really a threat after being caught wide in the early stages.
Drawn another inside gate, we should see an improved effort under the in-form Blake Shinn.
Suggested Bet: No. 5 Wertheimer
MRC Clip Clop Club Handicap (1600m) – 12:20pm AEDT
Jamie Kah sticks aboard Another Wil after the pair won in dominant fashion together first-up at Sandown last month.
The smart four-year-old by Street Boss was afforded a lovely ride three back along the rail, letting down with a serious turn of foot to win under hands and heels by a clear 3.5 length margin.
There’s still scope for improvement in just his second run back, and based on that effort, the rise to the mile looks more than ideal.
If Kah can offset the gate and settle midfield, this should be well within their grasp.
Suggested Bet: No. 9 Another Wil
Group 2 Hyland Race Colours Autumn Stakes (1400m) – 12:55pm AEDT
Southport Tycoon is a promising three-year-old on the up for Ciaron Maher.
The colt by Written Tycoon blew the start first-up in the Australia Stakes at The Valley, caught four deep rounding the turn before letting down strongly to finish second in a good go for the line.
He was beaten only narrowly by Veight in the end, a horse that could give Mr Brightside a run for his money in the feature later on the program.
Damian Lane gets a crack in the saddle now, and if the pair jump on time, they should be fighting out the finish in the Autumn Stakes.
Suggested Bet: No. 4 Southport Tycoon
Group 3 The Big Screen Company T.S. Carlyon Cup (1600m) – 1:30pm AEDT
Foxy Cleopatra has been well-backed since TS Carlyon Cup betting markets opened, mainly due to her recent jump out at Cranbourne.
The Busuttin and Young-trained mare hasn’t been since December when beaten over 18 lengths on a bottomless track at Ballarat, a race that clearly didn’t suit given the conditions.
Before that, she was placed twice in tougher company at Flemington and Cranbourne, resuming now with Blake Shinn riding well of late.
The early speed is a little unclear, but I wouldn’t be shocked if the pair push forward and look to run the race on their own terms.
Suggested Bet: No. 6 Foxy Cleopatra
Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) (1100m) – 2:05pm AEDT
High Octane is a classy colt that looks capable of securing the Preview/Prelude double for Team Snowden.
He was strong to the line on debut a couple of weeks ago, driving through late after racing three-wide in transit to win by nearly a length.
The son of Deep Field may have won by more if he didn’t over-race at a key stage, but with Blake Shinn stepping into the saddle now, I think we’ll see further improvement in the Prelude for colts and geldings.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 High Octane
Blue Diamond Prelude (F) (1100m) – 2:40pm AEDT
Bold Bastille impressed on debut at The Valley last year when winning the 2YO Inglis Banner by a clear three-length margin.
The filly by Brazen Beau was fast away under Mark Zahra, parking up front along the fence where she drew clear out of the turn to win real authority.
The form from that has been franked with runner-up Hayasugi coming out and winning the Preview race on Australia Day, and based on her recent jump out at Flemington, a similar effort on return can be expected from the Lindsay Park three-year-old in the Blue Diamond Fillies Prelude.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Bold Bastille
Group 2 McCafe Rubiton Stakes (1100m) – 3:15pm AEDT
Hypothetical has gone up a big price for a mare coming off a Stakes win during the spring.
The Pride of Dubai three-year-old is yet to win at Group level, but she’s no stranger to the winner’s stall at Caulfield, relishing the hot tempo last time out where she gave a kick to draw clear and win over the same track and journey.
Like a few others, she’s jumped out well in the lead up to her return and is likely to roll straight to the front and give a good sight on the speed.
Michael Dee sticks, and at the current price, I’m happy to have an each-way play in the Rubiton Stakes.
Suggested Bet: No. 14 Hypothetical
Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) – 3:55pm AEDT
Hard to get away from multiple Group 1 winner Mr Brightside in the feature.
The Lindsay Park-trained galloper is a proven first-up performer, also doing some of his best work here at Caulfield with three wins to his name from four attempts.
His last few starts during the spring didn’t go to plan, but this does look like a lovely leadoff race if Craig Williams can land just off the speed from the soft gate.
Seemingly in good order during a recent Flemington jump out, he should prove very hard to beat.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Mr Brightside
Group 3 Senet Peter Le Grand Stakes (1100m) – 4:35pm AEDT
Keen to see Blanc De Blanc back at the races for the first time in close to a year.
Mitch Freedman’s filly hasn’t raced since she finished four lengths off Shinzo in the Golden Slipper, looming up until the 200m mark where the wide run in transit eventually told.
She struggled at the barriers right through her two-year-old prep, but has shown plenty in a pair of recent trials to suggest her best is yet to come.
Drawn a handy gate this time under Mark Zahra, she should settle toward the tail and prove hard to hold out if she brings her best in the Senet Peter Le Grand Stakes.
Suggested Bet: No. 7 Blanc De Blanc