The eighth race on the card at Caulfield racecourse on Saturday is the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes. The race is to be run over 2000m with Zurella heading the market at $4.80 in an eighteen horse field. View our Naturalism Stakes 2012 tips and runner by runner preview.
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1. SEVILLE
He didn’t handle the Heavy conditions first up in the P B Lawrence (1400m) finishing down the track. Second up last prep ran 1.9 lengths fourth to Linton in the R A Lee Stakes (1600m). Comes from an astute yard and the 2000m is a positive and a dry track would also assist.
2. UNUSUAL SUSPECT
He came to Australian last spring before heading over to Dubai earlier this year for four very average runs. Resumed in the Slickpix (1700m) here at Caulfield three weeks back and made good ground from the tail of the field to finish ninth, beaten 4.1 lengths. Will get back from 1 and need some luck – and a dry track.
3. SHENZHOU STEEDS
Won the Ipswich and Caloundra Cups in good style over the Brisbane carnival before a freshen up. Returned with a solid sixth (beaten 3.4) in the Makybe Diva Stakes behind Southern Speed and Manighar. Better suited here, enjoys any sting out of the track and has a healthy winning strike rate.
4. SHEWAN
Last two starts this track and trip resulted in a win in the G3 Herbert Power and a third in the G3 Easter Cup. Has had to runs in this time making good ground on both occasions suggesting he’s ready for this and doesn’t mind the sting out.
5. NORSQUI
Winner of the Mornington Cup in February, accounting for Drunken Sailor in the process. Has had two runs this time in getting well back in both and making little impression on the leaders in the run home.
6. RIALYA
The winner of G2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) in March who has had two runs this time in. On both occasions she has settled well back in the field and expect her to do the same here.
7. ZURELLA
Promising NZ mare who came to Australia with an impressive 3yo record to her credit including a G3 win and a close second in the NZ Oaks. Was impressive in her Australian debut when G2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) Flemington. Should be only further improved by that run, and will be a leading chance in this.
8. CUBAN SUNDAY
He made it two wins from three starts at this track when taking out the Listed Slickpix Stakes (1700m) last start. Enjoys it here and lining up for his fifth run this time in, there’ll be no queries over his fitness but will be giving them a big start from his wide draw.
9. SINGLE MINDED
Another NZ’er who led the field when having his first run in Australia in an Open Class Handicap at Flemington before capitulating and finishing seventh of ten. NZ form reads ok but both runs this time in leave a lot to be desired.
10. EXCEPTIONALLY
Showed promise early in his career and his last three starts suggest he may be back near his best. Dominate in winning at Flemington (2600) and then, after a nine week freshen up, was good again when closing from well back to run second to Excluded. Barrier means he’ll be near to last but can produce a finish.
11. FOLDING GEAR
Lightly raced 5yo who has a better record than his two runs this prep suggest. Got too far back last start and no luck in getting a clear run in the Slickpix Stakes (1700m) finishing sixth, that was the only time from four start that he hasn’t won her placed here. From a better draw today, expect him to be ridden a bit more aggressively.
12. STREETS AWAY
He has won two of his past three with the latest effort a solid third in the Slickpix Stakes, after sitting up on the pace. Only concern here is that of his record over the 2000m is not has strong as you’d like it to be with only the one of his nine wins at this trip.
13. SEA GALLEON
Won the Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) at Rosehill in December before rounding out that campaign with a third in the Mornington Cup behind Norsqui. Has had three runs this time in and the latest, a closing fourth behind Excluded, suggests he may be able to produce something here and has already been well supported in betting, firming from $12 into $9.
14. SILENT SURROND
Won two of his first four starts and despite only have registered one further win from from his next twenty starts, that was two starts back in a Restricted 94 event at Morphetville Park, he hasn’t been too far off in races similar to this. At a big price, might be one for multiples.
15. BUDAI
Former import who has yet to register a win from six starts in Australia. He was good two back on the Heavy in a Open Class event at Caulfield, finishing second but went backwards from the turn at his next and most recent start, where he was beaten over eight lengths.
16. MR. O’CEIRIN
Former NZ’er who his building a good stayer record under the guidance of Trainer Ciaron Maher. He was solid last start in the Slickpix where, after racing on the pace throughout, he held on gamely for fifth, beaten 2.4 lengths. That was his first run in nine weeks so expect to be fitter and doubt he’d have to improve much to figure predominately here.
17. FRUEHLING
Very promising type who has won four from five starts since arriving at the Freedman yard from overseas last year. His latest run was her first for 12 weeks and she lugged 60kgs when winning a Restricted 82 race at Mornington over 1600m. Draw is no help but he has more than his fair share of ability.
18. PACINO
9yo who has won six from seventy career starts. Safely accounted for by Fruehling last start at Mornington and meets her worse at the weights but does safe his best for this course/trip with having only missed a place once from six attempts.
OVERVIEW
Early joint favourites in an open race are Mr. O’Ceirin and Fruehling at $5.50. Prefer the former of the two given that he’s drawn well enough to take a forward spot and will have benefited from his last start hit-out. Expecting a much better effort here from Folding Gear ($9). He is third up today and had no luck last start when ridden too far back and has a fantastic record at the track. Shewan ($15.00), Exceptionally ($10.00) and Sea Galleon ($9) for the trifecta players.
