The Caulfield Cup Carnival culminates this weekend with the Stella Artois Caulfield Cup.
It's a stacked field and a booming program, with plenty of exciting events to cap off a brilliant week at Caulfield.
It's also the day of the TAB Everest, it'd be remiss of us to ignore the $15 million Group 1.
CAULFIELD
RACE 1- 1700m- BM80
4- SUKOOT- Ran third behind some good ones last start, both those wanton to disappoint on Wednesday but had excuses so that shouldn’t be a deterrent. Gives it everything
3- POWER SCHEME- Unlucky in key stage when fresh here, battled on well for third that day. Comes up in trip which is a plus and will be fitter for that run. Ran well second-up last prep.
10- JENKINS- Always an honest runner and has plenty of ability, has come up in grade here but not without a chance. Each-way.
5- NOT MINE- Decent second- up record, needs sharp improvement to figure here. Jump out form is good but needs a win soon.
Suggested Bet: No Bet
RACE 2- 1400M- 3YO FILLIES
8- SCREAM DREAM- Ran behind second pick last start, had the harder run in transit and was forced to go around them all. Can turn the tables if she gets an easier run.
1- YES BABY YES- The mile was too much last time out, will enjoy the drop in trip here. Before that she led well before being beat by Odeum who went on to win the Thousand Guineas.
2- RAINBIEL- Sat just off the leader last start and blasted past for an easy win, looked a class above them at BM64 level. Peaking here and can strike again. Will be peaking here.
3- YOSEMITE- Was decent two starts back but didn’t back it up in the Guineas Prelude. Will find this opposition easier and can figure.
Suggested Bet: Scream Dream- win
RACE 3- 1400M- 3YO
6- ENDANGER- Hit the line well last start at MV, was looking for further and gets that here. Win before that was done so with class.
9- MIRAITOWA- Was impressive on debut, well-backed at Ballarat and was to good for some fellow debutants. Up a level here but showed a good turn of foot.
2- OSAMU- Ran well in a Group 2 last time out behind Wild Ruler, was solid when leading them out before that. Soft ground a query though.
1- SALTPETER- Carried 62kg fresh this campaign and had no luck in that run, run 3-wide and couldn’t accelerate with hem when it mattered. Had every chance 2nd-up at MV but didn’t take the chance.
Suggested Bet: No bet
RACE 4- 2000M- GROUP 3
5- CETSHWAYO- Struggled on debut but had excuses on that day, went back and beat them well the next time out. Jamie Kah on board a big plus here too.
3- THE PRES- Has had a brutal time of it this campaign, had to race against the pattern at Bendigo which gave no chance. Then had to be held up last start and hit the line well when the race was over.
2- ALBARADO- Was good last start when third behind Khoekhoe, was a fair way off the quinella there but still ran well. Gets an easier opposition here as opposed to last two.
10- LET’S KARAKA DEEL- Had absolutely no luck last start when well beaten by top pick here, country win before that was nice.
Suggested Bet: No bet
RACE 5- 2000M- GROUP 3
6- PENSATO- Was dominant from the front in the Oaks Trial when scoring with ease, was suited by the tempo she set but she beat quite a few of these. Pattern important but will lead again I think.
5- SILHOUETTE- Ran race-fastest 400m-to-200m then fourth-fastest home when here two starts back, ran into no luck last start so we can forgive that.
3- STARELLE- Ran home well last start when losing to a very tough runner, blinkers on for the first tim then helped too.
4- SUCCEED INDEED- Finished off strongly in the latest behind Thermosphere, wasn’t suited on the rail that run. Beat third pick before that too!
Suggested Bet: No bet
RACE 6- 1100M- ALINGHI STAKES
3- FITUESE- Won well last start with 58kg on the back, always runs well fresh though and that was no exception. Won well second-up last prep and looks to map very well here. Will be the one to beat.
2- CALIFORNIA ZIMBOL- Good return last time out when running second, will strip fitter here and can challenge the top pick. Map isn’t ideal but there’s plenty of talent there.
1- HUMMA HUMMA- Will need it to be dry, any significant rain will be damaging. Racing pattern suggest she will need luck to get into the race from back but she has the motor.
7- PINYIN- Has shown the class everyone thought she had when winning her last two, they’ve been easier than this but she’s up to it.
Suggested Bet: Fituese- win
RACE 7- 1000M- GROUP 2 CAULFIELD SPRINT
6- ALFA ORO- Looks the one to beat here, was superb when cruising to easy win fresh over 955m. Was scratched last week for this and with good reason, will get out with early speed and can dictate this from start to finish.
7- GARNER- Pulled up lame last start which offers plenty of excuses, fresh run before that was impressive. He’s a quality galloper who can perform here. Always runs well as record suggests.
3- GRAFF- Best is good enough, but whether he can bring that here is the question. Has two wins fresh which is a plus and starts with a new stable here.
2- FABERGINO- Will battle Alfa Oro for the lead which may bring Garner into the race. Carries 58kg against the boys here which is a huge knock, forgive run in the Moir. Couldn’t find her right spot and was never in it.
Suggested Bet: Alfa Oro- win/ Garner save
RACE 8- 1400M- GROUP 3
9- WINDSTORM- Has found his niche here, this track and trip have been terrific for him last two and he’s been arrogant in victory both times. He’s flying and can battle against the luck from the back. Hard to beat.
4- WILD PLANET- Was good at Group 1 level when hitting the line well, has to battle on there. Beat Funstar second- up this prep who then challenge Probable.
1- FIFTY STARS- Class runner who resumed well last start, will enjoy the wet if it comes and will relish the rise in trip. May need further and will have targets beyond this but has a habit of winning when he shouldn’t.
10- BEST OF DAYS- Has been a long time between drinks for the Godolphin runner, returned very well last start at Group 1 level and can improve here. Just not sure he knows how to win.
Suggested Bet: Windstorm- win/ Fifty Stars- each-way
RACE 9- 2400M- STELLA ARTOIS CAULFIELD CUP
7- VERRY ELLEEGANT- Turnbull win was immense, query was good track record and she showed grit to overturn that. Had to take that long-way home from 800m out and she flew home to beat some good ones. She has been built for this for a while now and the expected rain is a massive boost. Soft ground suits her more than most here if not all. Has a flawless 2400m record too.
9- FINCHE- Always runs well, that includes in this race last year where he finished 5th with a wide run. Will go forward and give himself every chance to figure in the finish. Comes here third-up and peaking, natural improvement from third place in Turnbull could see him right in this.
13- WARNING- Ran home in elite fashion in Turnbull, was the fastest home that day weaving through some good ones. Has been building for this distance and gets it now, wet weather another massive tick in the box. Hasn’t won since Derby win last year but did battle Russian Camelot in Adelaide and wasn’t beaten badly there.
1- ANTHONY VAN DYCK- European gun who brings over a big reputation, has drawn the widest ally which is not ideal but he has the staying ability to get forward from the outside fence. Hasn’t been able to transfer his European form into overseas efforts which is a knock. Has won 2 of 6 on soft ground though.
Suggested Bet: Verry Elleegant- win/ Warning- each-way
RACE 10- 1400M- GROUP 2
1- PRETTY BRAZEN- Has been a different class this campaign, won well second-up then backed that up brilliantly when placing at Group 1 level. Had no luck last start so that can be ignored. The one to beat.
3- PERFECT JEWEL- Ran second behind Mystic Journey two starts back which is not to be dismissed. Beta top pick home last start but had a few favours in that run. Will be better for that run at 1400m.
4- FELICIA- As tough as they come, she was just beaten last start when setting a cracking tempo out front. Won very well start before that. Will get an uncontested lead here and can do same again but the query is over 1400m.
9- RICH HIPS- Won well last start at this track and trip. Will find this harder but think she has the ability to contend here.
Suggested Bet: Pretty Brazen win- Felicia- save
RANDWICK
RACE 7- 1200M- TAB EVEREST
2- TREKKING- Was superb when resuming in the Moir at MV, trip was a bit sharp there but he found the line well. Finished 3rd in this race last year before claiming a Group 1 win in the Goodwood ahead of star Gytrash. Run after that were tough with serious weight. He have up 6kg to the winner.
7- GYTRASH- Beat Nature Strip convincingly in Concorde fresh, does do his best work first-up but has won twice second-up. Only one win at this trip but has 3 placings over 1200m at Group 1 level.
1- NATURE STRIP- Hasn’t been an ideal preparation at all, barrier manners have been iffy and he’s been swooped twice this campaign, Barrier draw is a huge plus and there’s no doubt he has the ability. Question is, does he have the hunger to blast these away?
10- TOFANE- Group 1 winner who had less than no luck last start, was blocked for a run and Damien Oliver had to bail out of the race. Fresh run prior was great, second behind Zoutori who franked that by winning again next time out. Hits this third-up and will be peaking here. She has the class.
Suggested Bet: Trekking- win
