Melbourne racing this weekend will be headlined at Caulfield with a good quality card to go around for a mid winter meeting. View our Caulfield tips and preview.
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Race 1 – 11:50AM – 2YO Handicap, (1100m)
There is not a lot of exposed form to dissect in the opening race of the day at Caulfield.
Jigsaw was not far away in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude back in February and looks tough to beat but I can’t recommend diving in at the even money on offer.
Race 2 – 12:25PM – 3YO Handicap, (1200m)
Veranskova was excellent when resuming for the second prep of her short racing career when winning at Sale two and a half weeks ago.
She won that race by just half a length but they beat home third place by a huge six lengths.
The one to beat.
Race 3 – 1:00pm – 3YO Handicap, (1000m)
All Of Brighton has put together a nice little racing resume in his short career to date having been unplaced just once in seven starts.
And impressive win at Flemington was followed by a third behind the smart Curran who has come out and finished less than a half a length of the winner at Listed level since.
Race 4 – 1:35pm – Benchmark 78 Handicap, (1600m)
Falls could not have been much more impressive when winning by over four lengths at Sandown by over 1600m on the heavy track last start.
He will be very fit at this stage in his prep and that fitness advantage will play a big part in this event.
Race 5 – 2:10pm – 3YO Handicap, (1400m)
The only blemish on I’m Thunderstruck’s racing resume from three career starts was a fifth in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes back in February.
The talented three year old by Shocking won by 3.5 lengths on the heavy track when resuming on a heavy track at Sale and it will take a very good one to beat him now stepping up in distance.
Race 6 – 2:50pm – Benchmark 84 Handicap, (1100m)
Absolute Flirt has been a very consistent galloper throughout her 16 start career to date with three wins and a further eight placings.
She is yet to miss a place from four first up runs which has included two wins and this looks a perfect race to kick start her campaign in.
Race 7 – 3:30pm – 3YO & Up Handicap, (2000m)
Excelman has been placed in four of his six runs so far this prep and this includes a win at this track and distance just two back.
It is clear that he prefers Caulfield and he represents really good value at the double figure odds.
Jamie Kah retains the ride and will steer from barrier 13.
Race 8 – 4:05pm – Benchmark 84 Handicap, (1440m)
Corner Pocket is a very progressive four year old gelding who has now managed five wins on the trot including all three so far this prep.
This is a very open race with a few handy gallopers but he will have a fitness edge on a few of them.
Declan Bates has ridden this horse in all of his wins and thus knows the horse very well.
Race 9 – 4:38pm – Benchmark 84 Handicap, (1200m)
Aside from his 12th at Listed level two starts back, Ocular has been really competitive all throughout this prep so far.
He was last seen at Flemington when finishing within 1.7 lengths behind Yulong January three weeks ago and he will appreciate the step back in grade for the last of the day.