It’s Easter Cup Day this Saturday at Caulfield and there is no shortage of value to be found.
The feature has attracted a capacity field of stayers with $200,000 on the line, while the Group 3 Victoria Handicap has also drawn the likes of Streets Of Avalon, I Am Superman, Kissonallforcheeks, and the favourite, Ayrton.
We’ve analysed the entire meeting and our best bets for Easter Cup Day can be found below!
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Race 1 – 12:20pm – Bert Bryant Handicap (1200m)
Stepping back to 1200m should suit Jamarra at this stage of his prep.
The Maher and Eustace-trained two-year-old rolled forward and finished second at Sandown over 1300m last time out, looking the winner at one point before fading late.
The winner of that race, Amenable, looks to be an above-average animal, so the form reads well with Jamie Kah jumping on board for the first time. Look for him to settle a little further back this time and save his best for late.
Race 2 – 12:55pm – Noel Rundle Handicap (1100m)
Clemenceau is a talented horse out of the Hawkes stable that put the writing on the wall during the spring with a hat-trick of wins across Hawkesbury, The Valley, and Flemington.
The lightly raced son of Capitalist has had only the one soft trial at Warwick Farm leading in, but after winning by two lengths first-up last prep, he obviously warrants plenty of respect.
Jye McNeil has been responsible for two of his wins so far and he should have no trouble finding the front from the low draw.
Race 3 – 1:30pm – Jack Elliott Handicap (2400m)
Through Irish Eyes goes on top in what is a fairly competitive race.
The son of Tavistock fought on gamely at Flemington over 2500m last month where he had to overcome a wide run in transit to finish third to Blandford Lad.
The step back in trip should help him improve, while I also like the fact he’s had a trial in between starts to keep hims harp. Jamie Kah jumps in the saddle now, and with fitness on his side, he’ll be tough to beat.
Race 4 – 2:05pm – Elvis Thurgood Galilee Series Final (2400m)
Quite like the form around Godolphin’s lightly-raced filly Mamounia here.
The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro ran a clear third to Honeycreeper a couple of weeks ago in the Adrian Knox down in Sydney, a form line that reads well with that horse going on to run sixth in the ATC Oaks last week.
Out to 2400m looks a big plus and Jamie Kah should have a good feel for the horse now.
Race 5 – 2:45pm – Geoff Murphy Handicap (1100m)
Another open race, so I’m looking to take a flier on the Matthew Ellerton-trained Star Waltz.
This is a rise in grade, but she was impressive in the late stages of her first-up run at Sandown considering she got away slowly, was caught wide, and then had no room down the straight.
The daughter of Snitzel ran some big races during the spring, most notable finishing a clear third to Espiona on Oaks Day at Flemington. Fitter now with a run under her belt, she’s in with a shout.
Race 6 – 3:30pm – Bill Collins Handicap (1100m)
Quite like this race for Juan Diva first-up.
This lightly raced daughter of Snitzel was another one that ran well during the spring, winning at Rosehill before going on to run back to back fourths in tougher races at Flemington and Doomben.
She might be in need of the run, but she’s found the money in five of her eight starts over this trip so far, while she’s also looked ing great order at the trials leading in. Craig Williams steers from an ideal barrier in what is also her first start for the new stable.
Race 7 – 4:10pm – Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives Easter Cup (2000m)
Zayydani looks up to the challenge in this year’s Easter Cup.
The Lindsay Park-trained mare ran third to Duais during the spring, a horse that has since gone on to win the Australian Cup and the Tancred Stakes in succession.
She resumed in great order a couple of weeks ago to run sixth behind Cherry Tortoni in the Golden Mile at Bendigo, and there’s real scope for improvement second-up.
Where she gets to from the awkward gate is the main knock, but it’s nothing Luke Nolen can’t handle.
Race 8 – 4:45pm – Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m)
This is a very strong edition of the Group 3 Victoria Handicap, but all signs point towards Ayrton winning.
As we’ve seen three times now, the lightly raced son of Iffraaj is unbeaten fresh, while he’s also looked in fantastic order at the jump-outs recently.
He’s drawn perfectly in gate 2 under Jamie Kah, not to mention his unblemished record here at Caulfield also. Clearly looks headed for the Brisbane Carnival and I’d surprised if he doesn’t win this.
Race 9 – 5:20pm – Robert Taranto Handicap (1600m)
Siding with the toppy Douceur in what is a fairly tricky race to wrap up the day.
Patrick Payne’s three-year-old ran some big races during the spring, the best of which came in the Oaks when she finished a very narrow second to Willowy at Flemington.
Her first-up run was a complete forgive, while she was also luckless last time out at The Valley despite running third in the Alexandra Stakes.
Out to a bigger track and with a win to her name previously third-up, this is within her grasp.
