Form analyst, SCOTT MCDONELL, previews Saturday’s Caulfield meeting, with horse racing tips and analysis for all 9 races. Good luck, punters!
Track Condition: Soft 6
Rail Position: +12m entire circuit
The query is the fitness level of JIGSAW. He looks the best horse in the race having won his maiden on debut by space then placed at Group 3 level before midfield effort in the Blue Diamond. Happy to put him on top.
VIANELLO is another resuming. Her maiden win came on debut and she progressed through to Group 2 Reisling to finish her first campaign. Recent trial will have her fit for this.
DARCEANDERMILL comes to town off a couple of strong wins on wet ground to begin this prep. Proven in the heavy ground and if plenty of rain about he could be the one.
DOUCEUR won her maiden on a heavy track at Ballarat. Was short favourite first-up but luckless when held up late. Cannot leave out especially if wet.
Tip: JIGSAW
BUBBLY LASS has been thriving on the wet tracks this time in. God tough win at Warrnambool during the carnival then went to town and just missed in driving finish. Never runs a bad race and can win this.
VERANSKOVA headed for the outside rail on the corner at Sale before powering home for an impressive maiden win. Has horror draw but will go back anyway. Look for her to be running on strongly.
DIAMONDS ran up to win at Hillside last start but just peaked on her run final stages. Yet to run a poor race and she will produce her usual honest effort.
JUNGLE SENSATION was not too bad on the heavy ground at Mornington last start when just out of the placing. If rain about she can sneak into a place in this field.
Tip: BUBBLY LASS
Was on DICKIN MEDAL at Flemington first-up from spell and he had excuses when he pulled up with an irregular heart rhythm. Sure to be better from the outing and he was a winner second-up at first prep.
ALL OF BRIGHTON finished too well to win at Flemington two starts back then he just got fraction too far off them last start when rushed home late. Will be right in the mix final stages.
MALKOVICH comes off all the way win at Randwick last start and that was on wet ground. Expect he will go forward and control this and takes catching from the corner.
FOREVER FREE has not been all that far away in recent starts but just finding it difficult to find the winners stall. Look for her to sneak a placing in this field.
Tip: DICKIN MEDAL
CHIEF ALTONY relished the heavy track to win with something in hand at Ballarat two starts back then should have won at Flemington last start when luckless. He gets chance to return to winners stall.
YULONG CAPTAIN is resuming at big odds. Not beaten all that far in his last couple before a break and that would be good enough to sneak a minor spot in this.
REFLECT THE STARS is another first-up at cricket score odds. Has been placed fresh and was not beaten far this track before break
FALLS has won two of his last three starts most recent on heavy ground when dominant at Hillside. Will go forward and lead these and sure to take catching.
Tip: CHIEF ALTONY
I’M THUNDERSTRUCK relished the heavy ground at Sale first-up and won in a canter. Likely to get similar conditions and he looks the winner.
BASARWA could be the surprise package here coming across the Tasman for the first time. Won fresh in NZ before battling on the heavy before coming to Australia. Watch market moves.
ZOUTELLUS comes into this off a couple of solid placings. Drawn to get the ideal run in behind the speed and he should get last crack at these.
DIVINE DIOSA looked a touch unlucky not to have been right in the mix on the heavy ground at Hillside. Finds similar race and would not leave out of multiples.
Tip: I’M THUNDERSTRUCK
PLAQUETTE just missed behind a smart one here two starts back then made amends last start when finished too well for close win. No reason she cannot win again.
PINYIN chased home Plaquette here last start and she looked a bit stiff not to have won. Drawn little awkwardly but will be steaming home final stages.
PROPELLE only battled on the heavy ground at Hillside first-up from spell. Sure to be better from the outing and races well at Caulfiled.
ABSOLUTE FLIRT resumes from spell. She won by a big space at Flemington when first-up last time in work and this is not beyond her.
Tip: PLAQUETTE
LUNAR FLARE was impressive weaving a passage back inside at Flemington for big win from the back. No reason she cannot make it two in a row.
FIFTH POSITION comes into this ready third-up from spell. Beaten just over a length behind Lunar Flare last start at Flemington and sure to be competitive again.
BEDFORD coms into this off a couple of solid placings. Gets through the wet tracks and would not be surprised to see him get away with this.
LAST WEEK was strong to the line winning at Edenhope last outing. Drawn to get the perfect run in transit and should get his chance last 200m.
Tip: LUNAR FLARE
Going to have something each way on KINANE first-up from spell. He has been placed in two of his three first-up tries and caught the eye fresh at Randwick last prep. Something the win and more the place in this.
Was on VIRAL at Flemington first-up from spell and he looked like he needed the outing when held ground final stages. Sure to be better from the run and he can get away with this.
JUMBO OZAKI is a talented gelding resuming from a spell. Placed in all three first-up tries and he will be a factor final stages.
RIGHT YOU ARE ran into a placing at Flemington two starts back then did plenty wrong at Ballarat last start and did not finish off. Horrible draw but can sneak into multiples.
Tip: KINANE
THE GAUCH was sent out favourite here first-up from spell and he timed run to perfection getting up in final stages for close win. Fitter and he can make it two in a row.
SIMPLY OPTIMISTIC looks close to a win after three placings to begin this campaign. Placed this track two starts back and that form would be good enough to sneak a place in this field.
BUMPER BLAST just got fraction too far back at Swan Hill last start but was making good late ground. He will give them a start but watch for him last 200m.
PINTOFF raced on the speed and stuck to his task bravely to just miss here last start. Barrier a concern but cannot leave him out.
Tip: THE GAUCH