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 5
Rail Position: True entire circuit
VIVIANE has race experience on most of these and she has not been beaten all that far in both city runs this time in. She can get away with this.
ZAPATEO finished the race off strongly to win at Geelong on debut. Drawn to get perfect run in behind the speed and with Oliver aboard she can make it two from two.
LIBIAMO did enough in her trial when placed at Cranbourne 800m (47.45) 8/2. Drawn bit awkwardly but stable have great record with juveniles and cannot leave her out.
Tip: VIVIANE
Been on DICKIN MEDAL in his last couple of outings and he has not been disgraced. Gets ideal barrier third-up from spell and will be nice each way odds again.
ALL OF BRIGHTON will be giving them a start from the corner but he has big finish and if leaders go hard up front he will be the one to watch last 200m.
ZIPPING BOY has been racing in super form winning last three starts from up on the speed. Likely to lead these and if track suiting those on speed he can win again.
PIONEER RIVER comes into this third-up from spell. Placed fresh at Flemington then run better than finishing position suggests last start. He can sneak a placing.
Tip: DICKIN MEDAL
LA VINA was deep in the market at Flemington last start but had no luck when struck trouble and prepared to forget that outing. Previous form good enough to be right in the mix.
ZORRO’S DREAM won at Bendigo four starts back then he has been model of consistency with three solid placings since. Should get the perfect run and will get chance at some stage in straight.
KALKARNI ROYALE was strong winning at Geelong two starts back then eaten less than 2 lengths here last start when raced wide. Perfect barrier and she will be right in the mix.
Tip: LA VINA
SUGARTOWN won her first couple at Bendigo to begin this campaign then she overraced at Flemington last start and did not finish the race off. She can bounce back in this field.
MISS DIVINE EM showed good speed at Bendigo last start and was only claimed late. Needs some luck from her barrier but she will be competitive in this.
FOREVER FREE chased home steadily when placed here last start. Will sit in behind the speed but if she gets some clear room last 200m will be right in this.
HAI SUN gave them a galloping lesson here first-up from spell. She finds similar race and no reason she cannot make it two in a row.
Tip: SUGARTOWN
BONDI SANDS resumes from spell. Import who won in Australia at first prep. Expect he will be much better this time in and although drawn out in the car park happy to have something each way.
EXCELMAN was dominant here two starts back when sprinted away last 200m then not far off them at Flemington. He can get away with this.
TOORADIN started this prep in winning form on the provincial circuit then held second spot when favourite in town last start. Cannot leave him out of top chances.
Tip: BONDI SANDS
NAMAKWA won two in a row before placing at Flemington last outing. Will go forward from his wide gate and if he can find a position early will take catching from the corner.
VIBRANT GLIDER is threatening to win a race this campaign. Two solid city placings before getting home late last start. Cannot leave him out of place chances.
UNIQUELY was hitting the line strongly when placed at Flemington last start. Will get back but look for her to be hitting the line hard.
MONTIA was a Ballarat winner three starts back then followed up with a couple of solid city placings. Would include her in multiples.
Tip: NAMAKWA
CHIEF ALTONY is up to winning better races than he finds here. Won two of his last three with authority and not beaten all that far last start. He goes in as top pick.
THINK ‘N’ FLY comes into this third-up from spell. Looked unlucky not to have won at Flemington last start and only needs to find that form to get away with this.
SCOTTISH DANCER deserves his chance in town after a couple of dominant wins at last two starts. This does not look beyond him and cannot leave out.
Tip: CHIEF ALTONY
Liked the way VIRIDINE attacked the line when placed in Listed company at Randwick last start. Races well around Caulfield and he may just be bit too classy for these.
VILLAMI resumes from spell. She has super record first-up from spell (4:3-0-0) and two solid trials leading into this suggests she is ready to win.
MALKOVICH was dominant here last start when sprinted clear final 200m. That made it two in a row and although drawn touch awkwardly no reason he cannot win again.
ORDER OF COMMAND is first-up. He was close-up in Group 3 company fresh last time in work and his first-up record (8:3-1-2) suggests he will be right in the mix.
Tip: VIRIDINE
GRINZINGER ALLEE resumes from spell. He is yet to miss a place in any of his first-up runs and just missed this track fresh last time in work. Must include in winning chances.
MR TIPLA came from well off them to win at Flemington two starts back then was closing late here last start. Drawn bit wide but racing well enough to figure.
SCANTOON comes into this off two solid city wins. He still looks to be a progressive gelding and can measure up to these. A must for multiples.
JUMBO OZAKI kept grinding away when not beaten all that far here first-up from spell. Sure to strip fitter and he has won two of three second-up.
Tip: GRINZINGER ALLEE