Nine races have been assembled this Saturday at Caulfield where it is Victorian Owners & Breeders Day.
There’s no shortage of prize money on offer with the $1 million Showdown headlining the card, and our best bets for the entire day can be found below.
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Race 1 – 12:10pm – Yulong Stud Handicap (1400m)
Deep race to begin the program with a case to be made for a handful.
Vasmee looks a promising type out of the Nathan Dunn yard and if he presents anything like he did at Sandown a few weeks ago he’ll be tough to beat.
The son of Fastnet Rock went forward and led all the way to win by three-quarters of a length, a performance he’ll look to replicate under Thomas Stockdale from out wide.
His win at Pakenham three back over this trip was equally impressive, and he was far from disgraced out to the mile in his next start at Flemington in tougher company.
Race 2 – 12:45pm – Blue Gum Farm VOBIS Gold Distaff (1400m)
Starelle returns to the races and looks to have a class edge over some of her rivals.
Danny O’Brien’s mare raced well without winning during the spring, most notably running third in both the Group 2 Matriarch and the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes over further.
She’ll definitely be looking further later in her prep, but she has placed twice previously in her first run back, while she’s also raced well here at Caulfield in the past. Looks a genuine chance back in class.
Race 3 – 1:30pm – The VOBIS Sires Guineas (1600m)
Out to the mile third-up looks ideal for Chartres.
The lightly-raced son of Toronado gave a good sight first-up in the Zeditave over 1200m and was equally impressive when fourth to Gundec in the Bendigo Guineas given he had plenty to do along the rail.
He strips fitter for those two runs and Ethan Brown should be able to find the box seat from a wide barrier this time.
Race 4 – 2:00pm – Surewise VOBIS Gold Heath (2000m)
He has some work to do from the barrier, but this does look a nice race for Grandslam third-up.
The Maher and Eustace-trained four-year-old stuck on well for third over 2000m at Flemington last time out after settling in behind the pace, and I expect Jamie Kah to take a similar sit here in what is a slightly easier contest.
His third-up form (one win, one place) reads well, and he’ll only be fitter for recent efforts.
Race 5 – 2:40pm – Avenel Equine Hospital VOBIS Gold Dash (1100m)
Lots to like about a few here, but I’m with Arcaded to continue Godolphin’s winning ways.
This lightly raced daughter of Street Boss ran well for third in the PJ Bell at Randwick last time out, but she probably deserved to finish much closer, if not win, after copping some interference at the top of the straight.
Back on firmer footing and back to 1100m are two big ticks, while the recent form of Damien Oliver speaks for itself.
Race 6 – 3:20pm – The Showdown (1200m)
$1 million goes on the line in The Showdown, and it’s far from an easy race to try and line up.
I’ve gone with the Tasmanian favourite Bello Beau on top despite his struggles at The Valley last time out in a Stakes race.
If he didn’t find traffic down the straight he’d probably be undefeated still, but alas, this still looks a lovely race for Adam Trinder’s two-year-old.
How he handles Caulfield is the main query, but back in class with the blinkers on for the first time, I’m confident he can atone.
Race 7 – 3:55pm – Spendthrift Australia VOBIS Gold Sprint (1200m)
Another good race with some quality types engaged.
One of those is The Astrologist, who tried his hardest two back in the Newmarket Handicap where he was narrowly denied by the fast-finishing Roch ’N’ Horse.
The form from that reads okay with September Run coming out and winning the William Reid Stakes in her next start, a race that saw The Astrologist doing his best work to the line.
The wide draw should suit his racing style, and the fact he’s won four times on soft going previously is also a big plus.
Race 8 – 4:35pm – IRT VOBIS Gold Mile (1600m)
Junipal has been a frustrating horse to follow, but there’s no denying he has merit over the mile as a four-time winner.
The son of Reset hasn’t done a lot of racing over the last 12 months, but he was good first-up in a Stakes race at Flemington before another disappointing performance second-up in a Group 3 behind Kissonallforcheeks.
He might be worth forgiving on that effort considering he raced with throughout, and he does own a winning third-up record. His form on soft going also makes for easy reading, so this is his chance to win some trust back.
Race 9 – 5:10pm – Widden Stud Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m)
This looks a clear target race from Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr with Extreme Warrior.
The lightly-raced three-year-old put the writing on the wall during the spring when he won his maiden by four lengths at Echuca, proving that was no fluke a fortnight later winning the Blue Sapphire Stakes over 1200m at Caulfield
He was outclassed in the Coolmore behind Home Affairs to wrap up his prep, but his recent hit-outs suggest he’s in good knick ahead of his return to the races. Jamie Kah steers for the first time and he looks to have a clear class edge over some of these.