Form analyst, SCOTT MCDONELL, previews Saturday’s Caulfield meeting, with horse racing tips and analysis for all 9 races. Good luck, punters!
Track Condition: Good 4
Rail Position: Out 8m entire circuit
LUNAR FLARE was impressive winning at Flemington two starts back then was just bit one paced here last start. Drawn to get perfect run in transit and will get her chance at some stage in straight.
BARBIE’S FOX relished the heavy ground to win at Lakeside last start. She has big finish and now she has broken through can win again.
SO YOU ASSUME has won two of her last three and placed in the other. Dominant win at The Valley last start and if she holds that form will be hard to beat again.
SAVIGNE has been racing in consistent form. She will not mind if there is some rain about and a must for exotics.
Tip: LUNAR FLARE
NO EFFORT won two straight then fought on well enough when placed at The Valley last start. She loves this track and looking for her to return to winners stall.
HI STRANGER finished too well to beat No Effort at The Valley last start and did it with relative ease. Looking for them to run the quinella again and no reason he cannot win.
DARK DREAM looked like he needed the run when well held here fresh from spell. Will appreciate the step out to 1600m and expect improvement.
BALLET MASTER won at juicy odds this track/distance two starts back then forget his Sydney run when rider concerned with action. He can bounce back.
Tip: NO EFFORT
Going to have something each way DIRTY THOUGHTS. She was super when placed at Flemington first-up then was just bit flat second-up in Adelaide when weakened. Looking for her to find best form.
OCULAR was beaten less than 2 lengths at Flemington two starts back then he was bit one paced here last start. If he can find form from two back he will be right in this.
ZESTY BELLE only just missed here two starts back then again she kept working to the line late last start and not disgraced. Cannot leave her out of multiples.
VESPERTINE resumes from spell. She won when fresh last time in work and yet to miss a place in two first-up tries. Must include based on that stat.
Tip: DIRTY THOUGHTS
PLAQUETTE finished the race off strongly and got the money here last start. Look for Oliver to sit off the pace and she should have last crack at these.
ABSOLUTE FLIRT was well supported here two back and did not let supporters down with good strong win then just overraced a touch last start and only held ground late. She will not be far away again.
AWAPUNI PRINCESS came from well off them with strong burst to win here last start. That made it two wins from her last three starts and she should be in the mix again.
PAUL’S REGRET resumes from spell. Her first-up record (4:2-2-0) suggests she usually finds best form when fresh and must include her in chances.
Tip: PLAQUETTE
ELEPHANT is the big query making his Australian debut after crossing the Tasman. He is undefeated in all four starts and from perfect draw expect he will make his presence felt.
JUMBO OZAKI is somewhat frustrating and although he has a solid career record expected him to win better races that he has. Comes into this third-up from spell and last start placing suggests a win is not far away.
ROCK IN THE PARK relished the heavy to win at Lakeside two starts back then went to The Valley and was placed in nice race. Could be the one at odds for multiples.
EVENING GLORY comes into this ready third-up from spell. She has not been beaten all that far in either run this time in and must respect.
Tip: ELEPHANT
Going with the judgement of Jamie Kah and going to stick with the unbeaten GENERATION first-up from spell. Gave them a galloping lesson this track to end first prep and from inside gate he can start campaign with a win.
JIGSAW jumped to the front and won as he liked here first-up then only just missed at The Valley last start. He will be right in the mix.
GENERAL BEAU is a quality gelding resuming from spell. Won at Group 3 level this track last time in work before competitive effort in the G1 Blue Diamond. He has the class to be right in finish.
INGRATIATING is another resuming from spell. Beaten less than a length in G1 Blue Diamond this track and finished last pre with a Golden Slipper placing. Look for him to go close.
Tip: GENERATION
Have an opinion of NAJMATY and think this could be a very good prep for this filly. Three solid trials will have her forward enough for first-up tilt and will be having something each way on her.
ARCADED is another smart filly having her first outing this time in. Was dominant winning her first two starts this track before finding the G1 Blue Diamond a little too tough. Cannot leave her out.
HERESY won at Group 3 level in Adelaide before going for a break after chasing bravely last 200m. Drawn bit wide but cannot dismiss.
GIMMIE PAR won here before break. She looks to have plenty of upside and would not leave her out of exotics.
Tip: NAJMATY
Going to have a sneaky win bet and double the place on NONCONFORMIST first-up from spell. He was luckless in Group 3 company this track when first-up last prep and if he finds that form will give this a shake.
RED CAN MAN won the Sir John Monash here three starts back then been beaten less than a length in two runs since. Gets chance to return to the winners stall.
Love the little bulldog SANSOM. Won the Bletchingly here first-up from spell and from inside draw he should get the chance to make it two in a row.
STREETS OF AVALON just missed behind Sansom here first-up from spell. Sure to be better from that outing and rarely runs a bad race at Caulfield.
Tip: NONCONFORMIST
Only race fitness that cost LA MEXICANA first-up when she was nabbed late. Fitter for that outing and from ideal draw she can go one better.
AWAY GAME finished too well in Group company in Brisbane last start. She is a class mare and will be right in the mix again.
THE INFERNO is the big query coming over from Singapore. He has only been beaten once in 9 starts and ran second on that occasion. Hard to line him up but cannot leave out.
ZOU DANCER was beaten just over a length here first-up. She has drawn ideally and will strip fitter for this. A must for first four players.
Tip: LA MEXICANA