Spring is in the air again this Saturday at Caulfield with four black-type races scheduled on the card.
The Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes headlines the program, and there’s no shortage of value to be found with Doncaster Mile winner Mr Brightside lining up alongside I Am Superman and recent Bletchingly Stakes place-getter, Scallopini.
Some of the country’s most promising colts and geldings will be on display in the Vain Stakes, while the Quezette Stakes has attracted a lucrative field of three-year-old fillies.
We’ve run the rule over the entire meeting and offer our best bets below.
Preview brought to you by Ladbrokes. Learn more about Ladbrokes HERE.
Race 1 – First Renewal Michael Grumley Handicap (1600m)
Chief Altony has been up for a while, but he does look well-placed stepping out over the mile again.
The son of Rebel Raider was beaten by all-the-way winner Lackeen at The Valley a fortnight ago and was never really a chance given he settled far back in the run.
That was his fourth place from his last four starts though and does get the experienced hand of Craig Williams in the saddle now, who was in good form at Flemington last week. A firmer track should be more to his liking and I expect him to be a little closer to the speed this time.
Race 2 – Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1600m)
Americain Angel looks set to peak now in her fourth run back for Danny O’Brien.
The five-year-old resumed in good order at Flemington when only beaten narrowly in a fillies and mares race, and she’s worth forgiving on her most recent run at The Valley given she was held up at a crucial stage down the straight.
She’s the type of horse that tends to take a few runs to warm up, and she has performed well at Caulfield in the past. Damian Lane sticks, and if he can offset the wide gate early, they’ll be right in this.
Race 3 – Fierce Impact Breed Elite in 2022 (1100m)
This lines up pretty well for the promising Maher and Eustace-trained mare, She’s All Class.
The daughter of I Am Invincible gave good chase behind Peter Moody’s unbeaten mare Chain Of Lightning over further last time out, form that obviously reads well with that horse going on to win again at Flemington last week.
She’s nearly two months between runs now, but dropping 4kg’s with Jye McNeil retaining the ride, I can’t see anything beating her.
Race 4 – ive > Handicap (1200m)
Siding with the South Australian I Am Bene here.
This daughter of I Am Invincible resumed from a five-week freshen-up in the Lightning Stakes at Morphettville a couple of weeks ago where she found herself in a tricky spot finishing nearly five lengths behind impressive type Extremely Lucky.
Her run prior for second over 1200m in the Proud Miss was full of merit though, and I think getting out to the same trip now with Ben Melham steering is ideal.
Race 5 – Group 3 Stow Storage Solutions Vain Stakes (1100m)
Cannonball steps out in search of his hat-trick and we’re getting quite a nice price at time of publish.
The son of Capitalist resumed a winner of his maiden first-up at Geelong back in March and then proved that was no fluke by winning the Redoute’s Choice here at Caulfield over the track and distance two weeks later.
He recorded the eighth-fastest final 200m of the meeting that day and I think he’ll appreciate another firm track here with Mark Zahra back in the saddle. There looks to be plenty of early speed on offer in this race, I suspect this boy will be among those rolling forward.
Race 6 – Group 3 Neds Quezette Stakes (1100m)
I think the Blue Diamond is the form to follow here, so that’s why I’m going with Miss Roseiano on top.
The Exceed and Excel filly won the Fillies Preview on debut by half a length here at Caulfield back in January and was unlucky to make it a Prelude double when she was simply beaten by the fast-finishing Revolutionary Miss.
A wide run in transit cost her in the big one and she hasn’t been seen since, but there’s still plenty to like this early in her career. Mark Zahra takes the reins for the first time and her recent jump-outs have been good.
Race 7 – Listed Evergreen Turf Regal Roller Stakes (1200m)
Showmanship hasn’t done a ton of racing over the last couple of years, but on pure talent, he’s capable of winning an open race like this.
The son of Showcasing rattled off six wins in a row back in 2020 and only returned to the scene at the ‘Bool back in May where he finished less than a length off Frankie Pinot in the Wangoom.
He’s always been a good fresh horse with two wins and a place to his name, and he does get in nice light from an ideal draw. If McNeil can save his best for late, he should be very strong in the finish.
Race 8 – Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m)
Mr Brightside looks well-placed to make a winning return to the races.
The Lindsay Park-trained five-year-old is looking to make it a double after winning the Doncaster back in April, and his recent jump-out suggests he’s in for another big prep with Craig Williams sticking in the saddle first-up.
His run behind Zaaki in the All-Star Mile the start prior was enormous, and he maps to get a nice run off the speed from barrier 4. With a slight class edge over some of these, he goes on top.
Race 9 – Millennium Services Group Handicap (1400m)
Incredulous Dream doesn’t win out of turn, but 1400m has typically been her go.
The Press Statement mare ran on fairly at Flemington first-up three weeks ago where she looked well on her way to finding the money before her fitness gave out in the late stages.
She’ll only take improvement away from that run, and she did win a Listed race in South Australia over this trip last year. Drawn well, she’s a nice each-way bet in a tough race.
