One of my favourite race days of the year and I’m more than happy to focus on Melbourne over Sydney, although I have snuck one Sydney race into the mix.
I wouldn’t be calling any of these ‘good things’ by any stretch. I’ve focused more on finding value across the card, with a few selections that might also be worth considering for exotic plays and quaddies.
Randwick Race 2 (1) Calamari Ring $4.20
I was going to tip this horse in Melbourne, but Maher has opted to run here, so that’s good enough for me.
(1) Calamari Ring comes through a couple of strong-rating Group 3 races and has produced some of the best late splits in those contests. The rise to 1400m looks the key and, while I don’t expect them to overdo it early, she should be able to settle a couple of pairs closer from the favourable draw.
This stable has horses doing extraordinary things at the moment.
Caulfield Race 4 (7) Boys Bounce $26
Let’s start with (7) Boys Bounce, at Caulfield whose three runs to date have all had merit. From gate three, he might be able to find the box seat and get every possible chance.
He used a little juice early last start before getting a lovely run in front. He gave a kick on the corner but I suspect the mile was just a touch too far. I like the form out of that race, with the quinella finishing midfield in the Guineas.
The drop back to 1400m is the key for me and I’m amazed we can get $26.
Caulfield Race 6 (4) Oak Hill $10
My concern here is whether we’re dealing with a leader-biased track, so we’ll need to keep a close eye on how the surface is playing early in the day.
They should go hard and fast up front, with a few extremely quick horses engaged. I thought this horse was very good during his Queensland campaign last preparation, and a stint up north can do wonders for horses when they head back south.
His trials have been excellent and he’s a rocket fresh (5:3-1-0). Lane also has a good record aboard him and, if they start getting tired late, he could be the one swooping over the top.
Well worth serious consideration in exotics and quaddies.
Caulfield Race 8 (6) Doubt Time $4.60
I’ll be honest, I’d prefer a better gate at this price, but I just think he’s a nice horse on the way up.
(3), (4), (7), (8), (9) and (11) all have some early toe, which should ensure a genuine tempo and give those settling back their chance. He’ll likely be in the second half of the field before getting to the outside in the straight.
His debut run at this track was outstanding before stepping straight into Group 2 company last start, where he recorded the second-fastest last 200m of the race. The rise to 1200m should suit him down to the ground.
I may even have a small play on (10) Half Pipe at $10, as I believe the Sydney form lines are stronger than the Melbourne ones.
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Caulfield Race 10 (5) Merrigold $9 + (6) Guerite $11
(5) Merrigold might lack upside with 35 runs under her belt, but she’s a model of consistency. Her fresh run behind Pondalowie was very good before having absolutely no luck last start, going to the line hard held throughout the straight.
She has an excellent record at this track and trip (3:2-1-0) and comes here third-up, ready to peak. Maps to settle midfield and should get every chance.
(6) Guerite has had little racing over the past 12 months, but she’s shown plenty of ability in her short career. She won three of four last spring before obviously having some issues that kept her off the scene.
She’s trialled well this preparation and recorded the fourth-fastest last 200m behind Point Barrow fresh. She may need a touch of luck in running, but I’m convinced she’s underrated and represents some value at double-figure odds.
Gibbo’s Caulfield Quaddie:
