The first of three Group 1 races on Caulfield’s card this Saturday is the Caulfield Stakes. A small field of six will take part with the notable omission being Underwood Stakes victor It’s A Dundeel who is recovering from a hoof injury. This has seen Atlantic Jewel, who ran a narrow second to It’s A Dundeel in the Underwood, the dominate favourite at $1.50. Should their be an upset, according to punters it will be from Mark Kavanagh’s 4yo Super Cool who is next in betting at $5.50.
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1. GREEN MOON – B Prebble (1)
Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner has had two runs back since returning from a brief autumn campaign and should be now ready to produce his best. He was doing his best work late first up in the G1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) when fifth, beaten 3 lengths, behind Atlantic Jewel and then, in a slowly run G1 Underwood Stakes (1800m), he simply got too far back from his wide gate and, in a race dominated by the leading pair, finished ninth (beaten 4 lengths). Third up last spring the 7yo by Montjeu claimed the G1 Turnball Stakes (2000m) when settling closer to the speed than he had previously. Expect him to take up a forward role today from his inside gate and from there, he’ll be able to challenge Atlantic Jewel.
2. FORETELLER – C Newitt (5)
Returned to racing after a successful autumn campaign that saw the Chris Waller galloper claim the G1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m), with a strong finish in the G2 Warwick Stakes (1400m), closing well to run eighth, 3.6 lengths behind Veyron and Streama. He then ventured to Melbourne and added another Group 1 to his resume by again producing a strong finish to claim Puissance De Lune on the line in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m). Like many others in the Underwood, he was a victim of a slowly run race and wasn’t able to match the leader’s sprint home, finishing twelfth of fourteen and five lengths behind It’s A Dundeel. A small field may not be to his advantage here either as he’d appreciate a strong tempo up front but, he is never far away in these races and cannot be ruled out.
3. SPACECRAFT – C Schofield (4)
Produced a career best effort at his favourite track Moonee Valley two starts back when he led to the shadows of the post in the WFA Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m), only to be claimed on the line by the fast finishing Fiorente. Off that effort, the 7yo trained by David Hayes, who commenced this preparation back in May of this year, started a well supported 13/2 when he next stepped out in an Open Class (1500m) race. The Dato’Tan effort may have flattened him a little as on this occasion, he didn’t show anywhere near as much fight in the run home and finished a well beaten eighth. He’ll lead and the step to 2000m will suit him better than last start’s trip but, at this level, with a couple of proven G1 performers sit off him in the run, he’ll find it too hard to hold them off over the final stages.
4. MASSIYN – J Bowman (2)
A former import now representing Team Williams, he made his Australian debut seven weeks ago in an Open class race at Moonee Valley over 1500m. He settled at the tail of the field and made little impression in the run home finishing last and well over a dozen lengths from the winner, Clear For Action. The son of Zaminder ran second in the G1 Irish St. Leger (2816m) this time last year so we know he is better than that however, it’s hard to see him making the improvement required from his first up run, to be winning here.
5. SUPER COOL – G Boss (3)
One of the leading 3yo’s of his generation last season, the son of Fastnet Rock returned with a slashing third behind Atlantic Jewel in the G1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) three starts back. He was then caught flat-footed and in traffic at crucial stage of the race at his next start in the G2 Dato’Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) but still closed well late to finish within a half length of winner Fiorente. His next and most recent start was in last week’s G1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington and again, he didn’t have a great deal of room available to him in the run home and he finished ninth (beaten 3.7 lengths) behind Happy Trails. Can easily bounce back here and from his draw, should trail Atlantic Jewel throughout. Should be no excuses for him in this race.
6. ATLANTIC JEWEL – M Rodd (6)
Outstanding mare who tasted defeated for the first time in ten starts when going down by the narrowest of margins to It’s A Dundeel in the G1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) three weeks ago. She’ll come across to sit outside of Spacecraft here and the acceleration she has shown in her previous nine wins – three of which were at Group 1 level, will be her greatest advantage here. She is the one they’ll have to run down.
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Race Overview
Small field here will produce a tactical race. Spacecraft will lead out with Atlantic Jewel coming across to sit second, closely followed by Super Cool and Green Moon – both capable of big runs here. There’ll be no excuses for Super Cool today. He’ll get the run, gets to the right distance and if they hold hopes of contesting the rich races over the next few weeks, he’ll need to step up today. Green Moon, who at $13.00 in early markets, may be the value. He’ll settle much closer than he has from two wide draws at his previous runs and his third up record reads very well. He’s not to be underestimated.
- ATLANTIC JEWEL
- GREEN MOON
- SUPER COOL
- FORETELLER
