The Neds Sir John Monash Stakes is a highlight of the Melbourne winter every year, and we are set for a particularly strong edition of the Group 3 feature at Caulfield on Saturday.
There are nine winners to be found in total, and you can find all of my thoughts and complete 2023 Neds Sir John Monash Stakes Day Tips below.
Take It To The Neds Level Handicap (1100m) – 11:50am
This is a quality race to kick off Neds Sir John Monash Stakes Day and there is a case to be made for a few of them, including Sensical.
Sensical hasn’t been seen at the races since February, but she was very good in both the Blue Diamond Preview and the Blue Diamond Prelude before finishing down the order in the Group 1 feature.
She clearly goes well fresh and has reportedly furnished into a stronger horse since her last race.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Sensical
Neds Open Groups Handicap (2000m) – 12:25pm
Future History clearly needed his first Australian start to blow out the cobwebs, but I am happy to give him another chance second-up this week.
The Showcasing gelding returned some lovely efforts over in France during his first couple of preps, finding form around some world-class horses.
Getting out to 2000m this week also suits, while he’ll get some relief in the weights under Luke Campbell.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Future History
Neds Punters Toolbox Handicap (2000m) – 1pm
I’m sticking with Artzino third-up on Neds Sir John Monash Stakes Day.
Artzino returned some nice performances during his debut preparation, winning at Sandown and finishing fourth behind the likes of Mr Maestro and Red Sun Sensation in the Super Impose Stakes most notably.
His two starts back this time have been sound, and I’m keen to see him at peak order and over the 2000m again this week.
Suggested Bet: No. 4 Artzino
Neds Bet Back Handicap (1400m) – 1:35pm
Hazel Baby rates as a key winning chance in another open race at Caufield on Saturday.
The Toronado filly has been a consistent performer for the Maher & Eustace yard since making her debut, and her recent form has been particularly smart, including consecutive wins at Geelong and Sandown two and three starts back.
She was last seen finishing fifth, beaten three lengths in a similar contest here at Caulfield a fortnight ago, but should receive every chance this week under in-form apprentice Carleen Hefel.
Suggested Bet: No. 6 Hazel Baby
Neds No Place Handicap (1400m) – 2:15pm
Riverplate returned a winner at Sandown last month, and this looms as another great opportunity for him to win in town.
The Flying Artie gelding returned some nice performances around some nice horses last time in, but I though that his fresh performance this time hinted at improvement.
His second-up record is very good, and he just needs some luck in running from a potentially sticky draw to be in the finish again!
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Riverplate
Neds Price Boost Handicap (1400m) – 2:55pm
Brigantine has returned to the races in typically competitive form, and I thought that this looked the perfect race for him.
Having not really fired a shot in Listed company first-up back in May, the Astern gelding has since won over 1350m at Doomben, and he was last seen filling the minors in Listed company at Eagle Farm.
I like that he has been kept up to the mark with a trial since that race, and he’s drawn an absolute peach this week under Benny Melham.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Brigantine
Neds Trifecta Rescue Handicap (1100m) – 3:30pm
The form around Flying On A Limb this time has been excellent, and she is the one to beat again in Race 7 at Caulfield on Saturday.
Flying On A Limb returned a winner in maiden company at Cranbourne back in May, and she has since recorded consecutive wins in BM78 company, and a Handicap here at Caulfield a fortnight ago, knocking off the likes of Katsu in the process.
Fitter fourth-up this week, she just needs a little luck in running from a wide draw to be in the finish again.
Suggested Bet: No. 4 Flying On A Limb
Group 3 Neds Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) – 4:10pm
The Neds Sir John Monash Stakes is always a highlight of the Melbourne winter, and this is a particularly strong edition!
That being said, I am big fan of Ingratiating, and I am confident he will build on his outstanding fresh record this week.
The Frosted entire has had five previous fresh runs for three wins and a second placing, and the form around him throughout his entire career has been excellent.
A couple of recent trials add confidence, and he’s another whose winning claims are boosted this weekend with the booking of Ben Melham.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Ingratiating
Neds Punter Assist Handicap (1700m) – 4:42pm
This is a wide-open race and not the easiest way to end Ned Sir John Monash Stakes Day from a betting perspective, but I did think that a horse like Chief Altony had claims at a price ($11 at publish).
His first two runs back from a break left a little to the imagination, but Chief Altony responded to a little drop in class at Murray Bridge last time, only just missing.
He’s in peak order this week and we can have an each way play at the price.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Chief Altony