The following is a survey of Australian horse racing tips for Saturday, October 9. The focus is on the race cards at Caulfield and Randwick. The Group 1 races on the day are the Might And Power (Race 6), Caulfield Guineas (Race 8) and Toorak Handicap (Race 9) at Caulfield, plus the Spring Champion Stakes (Race 8) at Randwick.
More tips will be added as they become available.
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Best bets
Caulfield Race 3: 7. Lombardo
Caulfield Race 5: 4. September Run
Caulfield Race 6: exacta: 2. Zaaki 1st, 5. Probabeel 2nd
Caulfield Race 8: 2. Artorius, saving on 1. Anamoe
Caulfield Race 9: 11. I’m Thunderstruck
Randwick Race 2:Â 10. Different Strokes
Randwick Race 3:Â 2. Herman Hesse and 7. Solar Apex
Randwick Race 4:Â 2. Coastwatch
Randwick Race 5:Â 2. Paulele, saving on 1. Sword Of State
Randwick Race 8:Â 1. Head Of State and 2. Profondo
Randwick Race 9:Â 10. Great News
​Randwick Race 10: 3. On The Lead
Caulfield
Race 5: September Run (3.10) (win)
Race 6: Zaaki (1.24) (win)
Race 8: Artorius (4.00) (win)
Race 9: Dice Roll (9.50, 2.80) (each way)
Race 1:
BRERETON (1) Having first start for Peter G Moody 2yo by Zoustar. Expect support. MAGIC CARPET (12) Lonhro 2yo having first start for trainer James Cummings. No surprise to see this winning. IMMORTALITY (4) Michael Kent Jnr & Mick Price trained 2yo by I Am Invincible on debut. Holds a major chance. COMMODITY (2) Initial appearance for Michael Kent Jnr & Mick Price 2yo by Capitalist. Trainer has gone for the blinkers on, take note. Place chance and can measure up.
Race 2:
BUFFALO RIVER (2) Lost ground in the run home when 10th last time around here. Should bounce back and displays good tactical speed. Genuine threat. JUSTACANTA (4) Fought on well to win last run at Flemington and shows very good closing speed. Good enough for this and worth a bet. SO SI BON (1) Jumped at $8 and ended up 1 1/2L from the winner at Sandown last run on a good track but second up from a spell. Should get a lovely cart into it from just behind the leaders. Key player. NEWHART (3) Having second run back from a break. Landed the spoils when winning two runs back at Launceston. Drawn to sit just in behind the speed. Each way prospects.
Race 3:
LOMBARDO (7) Spaced the field to win last time at Moonee Valley and shows good early pace. Going well this preparation. Should simply breeze past them to win. PANDEMIC (3) Charged home into 2nd last start at this venue and blinkers go off for the first time. Likely to get a nice run behind the speed. Can surprise and by no means out of it. WAR CORRESPONDENT (8) Having second run back from a break. Nice effort when winning three runs back at Moonee Valley and suited by the weight drop. Minor claims. OCEAN BEYOND (9) Having second run back from a spell. Looked solid when 4th last time here. Solid each way claims.
Race 4:
CRYSTAL BOUND (3) Won narrowly last run at Flemington and won’t be far away during the run. Top prospects against this opposition. SHIHONKA (12) Having second run back from a break. Won easily last start at Wyong and likely to race off the speed. Strong hope. NEW YORK BABY (8) Having second run back from a spell. Showed promise when winning last start at Flemington and carrying less weight this time. Should be right in the finish. LARKSPUR RUN (5) Produced an eye catching run when 2nd last time at Moonee Valley. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Been in the money 3 from 4 attempts this preparation. Won’t be far away.
Race 5:
SEPTEMBER RUN (4) Third up. Produced an eye catching run when 3rd two runs back at Moonee Valley and going down in class. Rates well in this race. BELLA NIPOTINA (5) Nice effort when winning last time at this track but up in class. Worth a ticket. SAVATOXL (1) Was first to greet the judge when winning three runs back at Morphettville and displays good tactical speed. Among the major players. ISAURIAN (3) Goes well first up with 5 wins from 7 starts. Ran on strongly when 3rd last time here and will try to take advantage of the gate. Likely to get a nice run behind the speed. Well placed and has solid claims.
Race 6:
ZAAKI (2) Winner last run at Sandown and shows good early pace. Strong form this preparation winning 2 from as many attempts. Stand out selection. PROBABEEL (5) Really dug deep when winning three runs back here and drawn well. Likely to race off the speed. Will be in the finish. HOMESMAN (1) Placed 2nd last time at Moonee Valley and should jump out and bowl along. Place hope. NONCONFORMIST (3) Really dug deep when winning last run at this course but carrying more weight than last time. Gets a nice run behind the speed. One in a race with many chances.
Race 7:
LA MEXICANA (3) Showed a good turn of foot when 3rd last start at the track and hard to fault at the distance. Could go well. TAILLEUR (4) Third up today. Charged home into 3rd two runs back at Randwick but up in weight today. Right in this. BROOKLYN HUSTLE (1) Brave effort to win three runs back at Eagle Farm and expected to be flashing home. Well placed and has solid claims. RUBISAKI (5) Displayed good finishing speed when 2nd two runs back at Flemington but first up. Should enjoy a cosy run off the pace. Worth consideration.
Race 8:
ANAMOE (1) Third up from a break. Fought on gamely when winning two runs back at Kembla Grange. On top selection. ARTORIUS (2) Put in a competitive run when placing 2nd two runs back at Flemington and can go through the gears. Racing consistently this preparation. Inclined to respect any betting moves and presents good prospects. TIGER OF MALAY (3) Fought on well to win three runs back at Kembla Grange and gets a favourable draw. One at a bit of odds. LIGHTSABER (6) Won narrowly last run at this venue but up against stronger competition. Consider an each way bet.
Race 9:
I’M THUNDERSTRUCK (11) Really dug deep when winning two runs back at Moonee Valley. Possesses very good closing speed. Should prove hard to beat. ELEPHANT (4) Was all too good winning last time at Sandown and goes down in weight. Likely to race off the speed. One of the top hopes. DICE ROLL (6) Came on strongly when 2nd last run around here and second up. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Can surprise and by no means out of it. TOFANE (1) Did enough to win three runs back at Eagle Farm and having third run back from a break. Should get a lovely cart into it from just behind the pace. Multiples chance.
Race 10:
FLOATING ARTIST (7) Chimed in with a win last run at Sandown and should muster plenty of early toe. Tracking very well this campaign. Can dominate and win. DELPHI (5) Displayed good finishing speed when 2nd last time at this venue and having third run back from a break. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Must be considered. DEFIBRILLATE (4) Charged home into 2nd two runs back at Flemington. Could run a race. TOORADIN (11) Fought on well to win last run at Flemington. Shows good early pace. Could pose a threat and looks promising.
Race 1: Immortality
Race 2: So Si Bon
Race 3: Lombardo
Race 4: Larkspur Run
Race 5: September Run
Race 6: Quinella: Zaaki & Probabeel
Race 7: Tailleur
Race 8: multiples including Giannis
Race 9: Dice Roll
Race 10: Delphi
Race 1: 1. Brereton, 6. Mogulist
Race 2: 2. Buffalo River
Race 3: 7. Lombardo
Race 4: 3. Crystal Bound, 4. Robodira, 10. Decent Raine
Race 5: 4. September Run, 1. Savatoxl
Race 6: 2. Zaaki
Race 7: 1. Brooklyn Hustle, 3. La Mexicana, 4. Tailleur
Race 8: 2. Artorius from 1. Anamoe
Race 9: 11. I’m Thunderstruck
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 1:
LONSDALEITE closed off well in jumpout with COMMODITY, who showed speed. They had a few lengths on MOGULIST on the line, over the line though Mogulist was running by them. IMMORTALITY showed natural speed in his jumpout that day. He ran slower time but wasn’t asked for much. CAVALLA is already a winner and liked the fight she showed. Time was OK without raving. IMPEL was tardy and not far off Cavalla in jumpout 15/9 then ridden to win 27/9 heat. Stablemates MAGIC CARPET and RENOSU jumped out OK. KIKI EXPRESS beat home Renosu when bloused by Cannonball, who was safely held by BRERETON in 13/9 heat.
Selections: 1. Brereton (Top Tip), 6. Mogulist, 9. Cavalla, 10. Impel
Race 2:
SPEED: 2 looks leader from 1,11 with 7,8 capable of being handy. BUFFALO RIVER gave a sight in G1 Rupert Clarke despite running along at well above (+4.2L) G1 average speed, add to that, by race 8 I doubt the inside lanes were the place to be. SO SI BON may be able to track him into the straight here from gate 1 and his return in Testa Rossa was rock solid. NEWHART wasn’t far of him and will be fitter. GALAXY RAIDER flew late! JUSTACANTA was in wrong spot (inside rail) in Testa Rossa and came out and won well last week. RIDDLE ME THAT has Still A Star form. MR EXCLUSIVE is very genuine.
Selections: 2. Buffalo River (Top Tip), 1. So Si Bon, 4. Justacanta, 9. Galaxy Raider
Race 3:
SPEED: 7 looks leader. 1, 2, 5, 9 can be handy. LOMBARDO is off back-to-back wins by big margins, in fast time, and can measure up here. PANDEMIC hit line race-fastest off a slow speed here fresh. OCEAN BEYOND was second-fastest home there and only clear inside last 100m! Bet they sit closer today. REGARDSMAREE was a forget run in a G1 last time, back to 1200m the query. AGE OF CHIVALRY was beaten a lip here fresh last spring. I just cannot remember the last time he won a race, but I was much younger! WISDOM OF WATER commenced a life ban last start. WAR CORRESPONDENT to 1200m the best value?
Selections: 7. Lombardo (Top Tip), 3. Pandemic, 8. War Correspondent, 1. Sansom
Race 4:
Speed good. Admit to thinking LARKSPUR RUN was a good thing at MV but SERADESS ran her down, in fairness, DECENT RAINE probably should have beaten both of them with even luck! CRYSTAL BOUND dug deep to win fresh beating Seradess and fitter now, her sole defeat was at the hands of Jamaea. ROBODIRA was nutted by Jamaea herself fresh then forget Tea Rose when lame and forced wide into quicksand. Many that raced out wide that day improved out of sight last week! NEW YORK BABY looks smart, so too SHIHONKA.
Selections: 3. Crystal Bound (Top Tip), 4. Robodira, 10. Decent Raine, 8. New York Baby
Race 5:
SPEED: 1, 8 from 7. SHAQUERO didn’t get a stack of room in the G1 Moir Stakes and wasn’t far away. SEPTEMBER RUN ran home hard late there and was disadvantaged staying at 1000m and coming wide given pattern of the night. Bella Nipotina is airborne now. Doubt back to 1100m stops her running well. ISAURIAN is fresh again and races best this way. ROHERYN had excuses first up. He’s had a month off and six of his seven wins have come when a month between runs or longer. SAVATOXL failed fresh last time in but won his other four first-up runs and looked great in a recent jumpout.
Selections: 4. September Run (Top Tip), 1. Savatoxl, 6. Shaquero, 5. Bella Nipotina
Race 6:
ZAAKI is the obvious. A brilliant return win was followed by a solid (and soft) win at Hillside when jumping sharply to 1800m, easily beating PROBABEEL. Out to 2000m he should have her measure again. NONCONFORMIST comes back to weight-for-age after winning the Naturalism in fast time. On his Feehan run (at WFA) behind Superstorm (who wasn’t far off Probabeel at Hillside) he can be tied in. HOMESMAN was only 1.5L off Zaaki at Eagle Farm in June, he’s a tough on-pacer and proven G1 performer.
Selections: 2. Zaaki (Top Tip), 1. Homesman, 3. Nonconformist, 5. Probabeel
Race 7:
SPEED: 3, 8 can lead 6. 4 may go forward today? BROOKLYN HUSTLE was heavily backed to win G1 Moir fresh but pulled up with myriad issues! She won Proud Miss 2nd-up off a freshen in May and may well have gone very close in a G1 Newmarket Hcp when 2nd-up in March. NUDGE flew home fresh last prep against the track bias and has beaten Brooklyn Hustle. LA MEXICANA and CHASSIS had a great battle for second behind the flying Bella Niptona here last time. TAILLEUR has a great record at 1200m and ran on well in the Sheraco on inside rail (doubt A-ground). 5 & 8 place hopes too for mine.
Selections: 1. Brooklyn Hustle (Top Tip), 4. Tailleur, 3. La Mexicana, 2. Nudge
Race 8:
SPEED: 6, 10 can lead any of 3, 4, 9, 12, 14. ARTORIUS was hampered early in Golden Rose and still some 4L off ANAMOE on the turn, despite a baulk and being forced wide into inferior ground he flew his last 100m. If he can jump clean he can be within striking distance turning! Anamoe was also terrific in that Golden Rose run/won in very fast time and he too was not in the A-ground. COASTWATCH and TIGER OF MALAY were rock solid with every chance. GIANNIS was behind them but does look in need of 1600m. FORGOT YOU may need further now but is pick of Vic colts for mine. HITOTSU best blowout?
Selections: 2. Artorius (Top Tip), 1. Anamoe, 3. Tiger Of Malay, 7. Giannis
Race 9:
SPEED: 12 leads but many can be handy! I’M THUNDERSTRUCK was 7-weeks off into the Rupert Clarke yet backed off the map to win it, he did a phenomenal job to get that close after spotting them some 12L at the 500m, he left Dalasan behind him (ran well in Epsom) and now has nice relative weights swing on SIERRA SUE who was terrific winning that Rupert Clarke nailing DICE ROLL (also terrific). AYSAR was close-up and comes back down in weights. ELEPHANT was pipped by SUPERSTORM at WFA then dominant last start, Superstorm then chased two G1 stars at Hillside. TOFANE gave Incentivise a scare in Makybe!
Selections: 11. I’m Thunderstruck (Top Tip), 4. Elephant, 2. Superstorm, 3. Sierra Sue
Race 10:
SPEED: 8 can lead 7, 11 & maybe 10. 3, 9 handy? FLOATING ARTIST jumps sharply to 2400m but he was so strong late winning at Hillside, in fact, his last 200m was around 4L faster than Zaaki (same track/trip). Have to concede though, Zaaki carried WFA and his race was run significantly faster early. DEFIBRILLATE was unlucky behind Floating Artist at Flemington then ran well at MV against pattern, he has 4.5kg swing today. DELPHI just missed Nonconformist in a fast Naturalism beating last week’s quinella Grande Promenade/Tralee Rose. FUN FACT has had no peace of late, best value? 1, 3, 6, 11 hopes
Selections: 7. Floating Artist (Top Tip), 5. Delphi, 4. Defibrillate, 8. Fun Fact
Unibet – From the Traders’ Desk:
Race 8 #2 Artorius (4.00)
Race 8 #1 Anamoe (2.70) – LAY BET
Race 1:
1. Brereton, 2. Commodity, 4. Immortality, 9. Cavalla
Race 2:
5. Riddle Me That, 4. Justacanta, 2. Buffalo River, 1. So Si Bon
Race 3:
7. Lombardo, 9. Ocean Beyond, 3. Pandemic, 8. War Correspondent
Race 4:
12. Shihonka, 11. Spinning, 3. Crystal Bound, 5. Larkspur Run
Race 5:
5. Bella Nipotina, 4. September Run, 1. Savatoxl, 7. Jigsaw
Race 6:
2. Zaaki, 5. Probabeel, 1. Homesman, 3. Nonconformist
Race 7:
1. Brooklyn Hustle, 4. Tailleur, 3. La Mexicana, 12. More Secrets
Race 8:
10. Mr Mozart, 1. Anamoe, 17. Hitotsu, 2. Artorius
Race 9:
11. I’m Thunderstruck, 14. Embolism, 4. Elephant, 3. Sierra Sue
Race 10:
7. Floating Artist, 5. Delphi, 4. Defibrillate, 9. Rostropovich
Race 4: 3. Crystal Bound – BEST BET
Race 7: 1. Brooklyn Hustle
Race 8: 2. Artorius
Race 10: 4. Defibrillate
Randwick
Race 1:
BAHAMUT (4) Second up. Did a good job when winning last run at Lismore and gets some weight relief. Can threaten if right today. FREEDOM SQUARE (17) Looked good when 3rd last run at Scone and always seems to find the line well. Races well in these conditions so do not discard. SO SAY YOU (9) Ran on strongly when 3rd two runs back at Kembla Grange and gets a reduction in weight. Should land a nice spot just off the speed. Use betting as best guide. LORD DESANIMAUX (18) Kept finding the line when 2nd last run at Rosehill. Displays very good closing speed. Exotics hope in this event.
Race 2:
DIFFERENT STROKES (10) Chimed in with a win last run at Wyong and gets some weight taken off today. Displays good tactical speed. One of the better chances. CREAM RISES (9) Did enough to win three runs back at Wyong and second up from a break. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Up to these. CALGARY QUEEN (3) Bold effort to win three runs back at this course. Shows good early pace. Keep it safe and include in any exotic bets. BIG SURPRISE (4) Blitzed its rivals when winning two runs back at Gosford and has minimal work to do from the barrier. Will be pushing for a forward position early. Right in this.
Race 3:
HERMAN HESSE (2) Solid effort when winning last time at Mornington and gets some weight taken off today. Chance to break through and a could give a show. SOLAR APEX (7) Handy enough when winning last time at Gosford and should jump out and bowl along. Has not missed this campaign with 2 wins from 2 starts. Can give this a shake. KINGSHEIR (5) Rocketed home into 2nd last time at this course and carrying less weight this time. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Has run into the money 3 from 4 attempts this preparation. Can figure. YIYI (3) Winner last time at Rosehill but rises in weight. Should just about get the run of the race. Looks a great place bet.
Race 4:
COASTWATCH (2) Displayed potential when winning two runs back at Kembla Grange. Drawn to sit just in behind the speed. Has run into the money 3 from 4 attempts this campaign. This race looks suitable and is hard to overlook. CAPTIVANT (1) Kept boxing on when 3rd three runs back at Kembla Grange and has minimal work to do from the alley. No surprise to see a forward showing and one of the main hopes in this race. BRIGANTINE (4) Got the cash when winning two runs back here. Will be pushing for a forward position early. Racing consistently this preparation. Warrants a bet. COTEHELE (6) Won by a big margin last start at Goulburn and finishes off strongly. Massive hope.
Race 5:
PAULELE (2) Bold effort to win three runs back around here but racing in stronger company today. Should land a nice spot just off the speed. Suited and is a clear standout selection. SWORD OF STATE (1) Gave them a lesson when winning two runs back at Ellerslie and second up from a spell. Drawn to sit just in behind the speed. Expected to fight out the finish. GLENEAGLES (4) Having third run back from a break. Displayed good finishing speed when 3rd two runs back at Kembla Grange. Must respect. KING OF SPARTA (6) Won by a huge margin three runs back at Kembla Grange and displays good finishing speed. Tracking very well this preparation. Among the major players.
Race 6:
AMARELINHA (1) Bold effort to win three runs back at Trentham and second up. Winkers off could be an important change. Gets a chance to win. KIKU (3) Chimed in with a win three runs back at this venue and expected to be flashing home. Right in this. MIRRA VISION (9) Ran well when 2nd last time at Newcastle and should muster plenty of early toe. Very competitive this preparation. Winnable race. ALL SAINTS’ EVE (2) Having third run back from a break. Was $12 and average effort when beaten by 2 3/4L at Rosehill last start on a good surface. Looking for an improved run but rises in weight today. Very strong each way claims.
Race 7:
COUNT DE RUPEE (8) Having second run back from a spell. Nice effort when winning last run at Kembla Grange but facing a stronger class today. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Looks promising in this race. ELLSBERG (6) Having second run back from a break. Game effort to win last start at Rosehill and displays good tactical speed. Will be competitive. EQUATION (11) Second up from a spell. Left nothing to chance when winning two runs back at Canberra but up against stronger competition. Should be around the mark. VANGELIC (14) Brave effort to win last time at Rosehill and should come to hand quickly. Worth entertaining from a place and exotics perspective.
Race 8:
PROFONDO (2) Was fighting out the finish when winning two runs back here but facing a stronger class. Could prove hard to beat. HEAD OF STATE (1) Really dug deep when winning last run at Rosehill but facing a stronger class today. Should just about get the run of the race. Winning prospect. NEVER BEEN KISSED (11) Really dug deep when winning last start at this track and expecting to settle positively. Going well this preparation winning 3 from 4 attempts. Can make a claim. ALEGRON (3) Won by a huge margin three runs back at Newcastle and has a positive draw. Displays very good closing speed. One at a bit of odds.
Race 9:
GREAT NEWS (10) Nice show when placing 3rd last start at Newcastle but up in class. Well placed and has solid claims. MINHAAJ (5) Should be ready to fire fresh. Brave effort to win three runs back at Caulfield and now racing for a new trainer John O’shea. Key player. ROCHA CLOCK (2) Had a break from racing and returns to competition. Fought on well to win two runs back at Scone and winkers go on for the first time. Finishes off strongly. Likely to fill a place. BELLUCI BABE (12) Second up from a spell. Got the upper hand late when winning last start at Gosford and goes down in weight. Must come into consideration.
Race 10:
ON THE LEAD (3) Third up today. Hit the line well when 2nd last start at Gosford. Goes very close. MARNIX (12) Resumes after a break. Came on strongly when 3rd last start at Warwick Farm and goes down in weight. Well suited and should prove hard to beat. KINLOCH (5) Game effort to win last start at this venue and finishes off strongly. Interesting gear change of winkers off first time. Can feature. LEO (10) Good win last time here and should race on the speed. Worth a bet.
Race 1: Bahamut
Race 2: Different Strokes
Race 3: Herman Hesse
Race 4: Coastwatch
Race 5: Paulele
Race 6: Amarelinha
Race 7: Ellsberg
Race 8: Profondo
Race 9: Great News
Race 10: On The Lead
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 1:
Fine weather leading to the weekend means we will hold up as Good for this week’s meeting, before rain arrives Sunday and settles in for a bit. Rail out 5 metres for the most part. 17 + 4 emergencies in this week’s Highway, a C3 over the mile. Look for speed to come from 20 and 16 and 2. WHATSIN has 58 to carry but 4kg over the limit seems more than fair for this mare. She was restrained way back from the wide draw at Bathurst but just kept making ground all the way down the straight, in a race every bit as good as this. 1600m is her challenge; she hasn’t been to it before but today’s draw could see her set up much handier than we saw from her last time.
Selections: 1. Whatsin (Top Tip), 2. Blaazay, 10. Gottaluvtrucks, 7. Mikado
Race 2:
Pace supplied by 4, 3, 8 and 5. DIFFERENT STROKES has been building through his grades, with two home track wins under his belt he heads to Sydney for the first time for this winnable Midway. Looks well targeted. TOO GOOD TO BE TRU has had a freshen and was last seen beaten only half a length at this level. Yet to see a Good track but many of his solid runs have been on Soft 5. Annabel Neasham has the Cox Plate hot fave but is still eligible for these races. AKHTAR improved to salute 2nd-up, beating a horse that ran in the first at Rosehill on Wednesday (after preview time).
Selections: 10. Different Strokes (Top Tip), 11. Too Good To Be Tru, 12. Akhtar, 4. Big Surprise
Race 3:
1 and 4 were also in Friday’s $200,000 Port Macquarie Cup. 9 looks the leader in a low speed affair, with 1, 2, 3 all capable of pressing handy. Was happy to tip SOLAR APEX before knowing a jockey but the engagement of McDonald does nothing to put me off. He has partnered up with this bloke to win two provincial races pretty comfortably and now looks up to this test at third run in. Should position perfectly. HERMAN HESSE comes up from Vic and Warrnambool apprentice Laura Lafferty (now riding in NSW) to remove three kilos. Perhaps a bit more depth here than the races he’s won but he has made a good start to his Australian career has HERMAN.
Selections: 7. Solar Apex (Top Tip), 2. Herman Hesse, 3. Yiyi, 1. Achiever
Race 4:
CAPTIVANT and COASTWTCH both drew double figures in the Caulfield Guineas. Time tells whether they head south or stay here for this easier option. There’s not loads of speed contained in the race. Perhaps 4 could lead from 7, 1, 2. COASTWATCH ran top three in the Golden Rose of course which looks standout form for this. In doing so he split Anamoe and Artorius, the Caulfield Guineas faves. Draw to tag the leaders and n extra 100m won’t faze. COTEHELE was sent to QLD in a brief first prep and resumed with an easy win out of town. Plenty of upside.
Selections: 2. Coastwatch (Top Tip), 6. Cotehele, 4. Brigantine, 1. Captivant
Race 5:
10 comes out, 9 is in at Caulfield as well. 5 and 7 to lead 3 and 1. PAULELE was shown up by Home Affairs at Rosehill but I doubt there’s any shame in that 2nd placing and he benefits here from a solid looking speed and a return to Randwick, where he is unbeaten from three. Nothing to dislike about mixing it with In The Congo prior either. Speaking of which, GLENEAGLES was within 2L of said horse in the Run to the Rose. He has gone back and won a trial really nicely and looks a big threat. O’PRESIDENT drew wide/raced wide in one recent trial and was quite OK. TRISTATE measured up OK last time, KING OF SPARTA could be forgiven.
Selections: 2. Paulele (Top Tip), 4. Gleneagles, 3. O’president, 6. King Of Sparta
Race 6:
9 and 13 can cross up from out wide. 3 and 8 next in line? Thought GRACE AND HARMONY did more than enough after getting too far back when resuming. Handier here you would think and should be at some odds. MIRRA VISION has had a successful winter and that Tibbie run recommends her pretty well for this too. She’s turned into an on-speeder after being anything but early in her career. AMARELINHA surely better for the first-up run and that was a relatively strong race. She’ll be very happy with an extra 200m too but just where does she get to from this outside draw?
Selections: 8. Grace And Harmony (Top Tip), 9. Mirra Vision, 1. Amarelinha, 3. Kiku
Race 7:
VANGELIC to lead the Silver Eagle and really only 7 and 6 are likely to pose any pressure. The Rosehill win was rock-solid, holding off some very good mares. Winless from seven runs this track but a couple of them are G1 placings so I would say she has a liking for the track. Hard to beat. ELLSBERG up from a Benchmark win but he sets up for every possible chance in the run and he has a 3L stakes win over Private Eye at this venue. Just a couple of defeats at odds-on last prep have me a mite wary (pending his price). Should run well though. AMISH BOY needs luck, loves a placing.
Selections: 14. Vangelic (Top Tip), 6. Ellsberg, 4. Amish Boy, 8. Count De Rupee
Race 8:
The Group One of the meeting sees speed from 6, 7, 8. They may not fly out? NEVER BEEN KISSED was big odds last week but won really well and now stretching to 2000m on a quick turnaround looks eminently achievable for the filly. HEAD OF STATE took the honours in the Gloaming but PROFONDO would have lost no admirers given it was only start two for him and he is clearly still learning the game. So too is BENAUD. That had to be a positive pass mark for him at Rosehill and it looks as though the further the better. Drawn here to set up a bit closer too. INVERELL from left field but perhaps wouldn’t shock.
Selections: 11. Never Been Kissed (Top Tip), 2. Profondo, 1. Head Of State, 4. Benaud
Race 9:
Pace from 4, 1 and 13. WANDABAA an ever consistent mare but perhaps even her most ardent fans would have been left feeling a little let down by the absence of a win last prep. That losing run is now out to 12 in fact but the vast majority of them have been pleasing efforts, and mostly top three. One of them as a long head defeat in this very race last year. Two recent trials, the latest a winning one, and should set up nicely at midfield. MINHAAJ has offered two nice trial efforts (both behind Classique Legend) and looks nicely placed for this fresh. Just might need some luck at a crucial time.
Selections: 9. Wandabaa (Top Tip), 5. Minhaaj, 4. Madam Legend, 10. Great News
Race 10:
A bit of a low-key ending to a G1 day. 8 and 7 could lead 10. It’s ON THE LEAD or stay out for me. He has had two previous 3rd-up runs for a 2nd to Criaderas and a Listed 2nd to Wild Ruler at this track. Now a gelding and despite being beaten last start we can take heart that he was beaten by the short-priced favourite – BELLUCCI BABE who entered for this but quickly scratched. BELSIELLE comes from a stable that send runners to Sydney sparingly but for great success. Good enough for top three I think, as can be LEO out of a Highway win. KINLOCH intrigues. Good enough but could get buried away.
Selections: 3. On The Lead (Top Tip), 4. Belsielle, 10. Leo, 5. Kinloch
Unibet – From the Traders’ Desk:
Race 8 #1 Head Of State (3.80)
Race 4: #2 COASTWATCH (1.95) – BEST BET
Race 5: #1 SWORD OF STATE (6.00) – VALUE BET
Race 3: 2. Herman Hesse
Race 7: 14. Vangelic