Ten races will be run and won at Melbourne’s Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday, December 16th.
I’ve dug deep into the form of every galloper engaged and you can find my thoughts and Caulfield Tips below!
IVE Handicap (1000m) – 12:15pm AEDT
Express Yo’self turned in a decent performance on debut and I thought that she looked a winning chance this week on exposed form.
The Alabama Express filly did race greenly in the Listed Merson Cooper, but she ultimately filled the minors behind exciting prospect Eneeza.
With natural improvement for that experience, I’m happy to have something on this week.
Suggested Bet: No. 5 Express Yo’self
Evergreen Turf Handicap (2400m) – 12:45pm AEDT
I’m going to have something on Herman Hesse second-up from a spell this week.
Herman Hesse has picked off plenty of nice races throughout his career, and while he didn’t manage to record a race win during his last preparation, he performed admirably in races like the Neds Mornington Cup.
He was beaten three lengths in the Taree Cup first-up last month, but he’s a horse that tends to enjoy sharp improvement with a run under his belt, and we can have an each way play at current odds ($8 at publish).
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Herman Hesse
Millennium Services Group Handicap (1600m) – 1:20pm AEDT
Fullproof is yet to turn in a poor performance and strikes another winnable race at Caulfield this weekend.
The Lonhro gelding has recorded two wins and as many minors from his four appearances and went to another level with a dominant effort over a mile at The Valley most recently.
This is another rise in class, but he’s open to further improvement and can fight out the finish again.
Suggested Bet: No. 5 Fullproof
Bertocchi Simply The Best Handicap (1400m) – 1:55pm AEDT
Running By only just missed at her first run back from a break and looks well placed to strike at Caulfield this week.
The Maher & Eustace-trained galloper ended her last prep a head second in the Bendigo Guinead, and picked up where she left off when finishing just off the pace of a fit South Of Houston at Sandown.
She has raced well at this point of her prep previously, and this looks a really nice opportunity for her to transition back into Saturday metro company.
Suggested Bet: No. 8 Running By
Schweppes Handicap (1200m) – 2:30pm AEDT
The talented Is It Me returned to winning form on Cranbourne Cup Day and can go on with the job at Caulfield on Saturday
The Iffraaj gelding has recorded three wins from eight career starts so far, finishing second a further three times and finding form around some classy opposition.
Her improvement with each of three runs back this time has been obviously, and there’s simply no doubt that her last-start win was the best performance that she has mustered to date.
She looks to be in peak order now and I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish again.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Is It Me
Quayclean Handicap (2000m) – 3:05pm AEDT
Blue Moon returned a winner in BM64 company at The Valley last month, and something like this looks the next logical target for her.
The Shocking mare was a consistent performer over in New Zealand through autumn and winter of this year, and wasn’t out of her depth in Group 2 company.
She’s drawn ideally this week under Carleen Hefel, she gets some relief in the weights and she will relish getting out to 2000m.
Suggested Bet: No. 7 Blue Moon
Neds Supersized Saturday Handicap (1200m) – 3:40pm AEDT
Jambalaya won on debut and can keep alive that unbeaten record at Caulfield on Saturday.
The Shooting To Win was sent off a popular favourite in the 1200m contest at The Valley and didn’t disappoint, kicking clear to win by nearly two lengths.
He’ll only improve off that and understandably, Jamie Kah keeps the ride.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Jambalaya
Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1400m) – 4:20pm AEDT
Bel Air has been knocking on the door of another win recently, and he gets a great chance at Caulfield on Saturday.
The Written Tycoon gelding finished midfield in BM70 company in his first start back this time and has been denied by just one horse in each of two subsequent starts.
He’s hard fit and might not be offered a better opportunity in Saturday metro company than this.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Bel Air
Stow Robotics Handicap (1400m) – 5pm AEDT
He’s yet to show his best this time in, but I am inclined to give Gravina another chance at Caulfield on Saturday.
Gravine didn’t beat a runner him in Group 3 company at his first run back on Derby Day, but has since finished seventh in The Hunter and fifth in the Listed Doveton Stakes her a fortnight ago.
1400m does suit, he is reportedly in peak order for this contest, and it looks to be an appropriate drop in class.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Gravina
Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (1200m) – 5:40pm AEDT
Another winning chance for Godolphin at Caulfield on Saturday is Capo Strada in the last.
Capo Strada was a little luckless but still managed to finish fourth in BM94 company at Newcastle last time out, but did record an impressive victory at Randwick his start prior.
He’s a month between runs which suits, but he will require some luck in running after drawing wide.
Suggested Bet: No. 4 Capo Strada