Nine races will be run and won at Caulfield on Saturday to compliment a huge day of racing right around the country.
We’ve analysed all nine races and our best bets can be found here.
Race 1 – 11:55am AEDT – Lamaro’s South Melbourne Handicap (1200m)
Generation was sensational on debut at Morphettville a fortnight ago, winning by over two lengths from barrier to box.
This isn’t an overly deep field, so she should have no problem getting straight to the front to try and replicate that performance.
The way she kicked clear was impressive to say the least, which goes hand-in-hand with the Maher and Eustace team’s exceptional record with their two-year-old this year.
Jamie Kah booked to ride is also a huge plus.
Race 2 – 12:30pm AEDT – Emerald Hill Mission Handicap (2000m)
Skelm has accepted to race on Friday in the Wagga Wagga Gold Cup, but if he lines up here I fancy him at odds.
The six-year-old by Animal Kingdom won the Stony Creek Cup three runs back over a touch further and was strong in the finish in his last start at Caulfield over 2400m for third.
The winner of that race, Mohican Heights, has since gone on to grab a place at Flemington on ANZAC Day, so the form has been franked somewhat.
Getting back in trip at this stage of his prep also looks ideal.
Race 3 – 1:05pm AEDT – Cameron Plant Memorial Handicap (1600m)
Intellective flew home to claim a narrow win at Ballarat over the mile three back, so it’s no surprise to find her as the short-priced favourite.
The mare by Toronado faded late last time out at Sandown in a tougher race over 1300m, so she should appreciate getting back out to her preferred distance now where she’s won three times previously.
This is tougher again, but with 3.5kg’s off her back and fitness on her side, she’s the one to beat in a fairly unappealing race.
Race 4 – 1:40pm AEDT – Ian Miller Handicap (1200m)
Alburq has claimed only one win from 22 starts in his career, but he has been around the mark of late to suggest another is right around the corner.
The gelding by Rubick stuck on well for third two runs back over 1400m at Sandown and was only 1.5L off Li’l Kontra three weeks ago at Caulfield over shorter.
He’s run no worse than fourth this time in work and has fared okay on soft going in the past.
Barrier 4 should see afford him an ideal run off the speed, so look for him late.
Race 5 – 2:15pm AEDT – JRA Handicap (1600m)
Surely Holbien gets the job done here?
He’s burned punters for the better part of the last six months and is now looking to snap a run of placings that dates all the way back to February.
His run on ANZAC Day two weeks ago was full of merit though when just fading late to run a length second to Vassilator at Flemington after racing on the speed.
Despite the fact he’s been up for a while, he has held his condition well, so this looks his to lose.
Race 6 – 2:55pm AEDT – JRA Handicap (1600m)
Tricky race with most resuming from a spell, but I think Blazejowski can run well after contesting some much tougher races earlier in the year.
Greg Eurell’s six-year-old gelding won the Listed John Dillon Stakes at Caulfield over 1400m earlier in January and was far from disgraced when fifth to Streets Of Avalon in the C.F. Orr Stakes in his final run.
He’s won three-from-five starts first-up, so his fresh record reads well. A trio of wins over the mile is also a big tick.
Race 7 – 3:35pm AEDT – Fenwick Handicap (2000m)
Horrifying can be forgiven on his last start at Flemington on ANZAC Day when he just got a little too keen in the final stages to finish a narrow runner-up to Our Lone Star over 1700m.
Getting out over further now should suit him nicely, and considering Jamie Kah’s record on these lightly-raced juveniles, you just know he’s going to improve.
This is his first look at Caulfield, but this appears well within his grasp.
Race 8 – 4:15pm AEDT – Selangor Turf Club Handicap (1600m)
Looks a winnable race for Mozzie Monster to atone for her last start second over 1400m.
The filly by Sebring blew the start that day, but still managed to make up enormous ground to run two lengths second to Annavisto.
The start before saw her run second to the same horse at Bendigo where she smashed the clock with some impressive late times. Michael Dee does have his work cut out from the awkward alley, but considering she’s run over this track and trip before in the Thousand Guineas during the spring, she looks up to it.
Race 9 – 4:50pm AEDT – Darren Gauci Handicap (1200m)
Big watch on Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr’s lightly-raced gelding Ayrton in his return to the races.
The three-year-old made only two starts back in December but he couldn’t have been more impressive winning his debut at Bendigo by over five lengths before venturing to Caulfield to win by a similar margin over 1400m.
Whether this trip suits him first-up is a slight query, but after an outstanding trial win at Echuca two weeks ago, he’s impossible to back against.