Form analyst, SCOTT MCDONELL, previews Saturday’s Caulfield meeting, with horse racing tips and analysis for all 10 races. Good luck, punters!
Track Condition: Soft 6
Rail Position: True entire circuit
With the likelihood of wet ground have settled on SEINERS EXPRESS to start off the program. Has won on heavy ground and thought his run at Flemington last start was better than finishing position suggests.
Have given COOLTH plenty of chances this prep and he is yet to win but shown enough to suggest he will return to winners stall soon and cannot afford to leave him out.
SARACEN KNIGHT resumes from spell. He was poor in both runs last time in work but he won the only time on heavy ground and if he gets those conditions can figure.
GHOST DOCTOR relished heavy ground to win at Bendigo last start. This a big step up but if he gets conditions to suit he may surprise these.
Tip: SEINERS EXPRESS
Forget MORIOKA went around at Flemington last start as she was never on the track and entitled to tire as she did. Looking for her to get a better run here and she can bounce back. She will not mind if there is rain about.
VIANELLO is screaming out for a return to the winners stall. Chased home solidly at Hillside last start in Listed company last start and she has been racing consistently. Looks nice each way value.
STERN IMPULSE won her maiden with something in hand on heavy ground at Moe two starts back then went to Ballarat and just battled. If she gets wet conditions she will be a factor.
GAME LEGEND fought the race out strongly when not beaten all that far in the Oaks Trial at Flemington last start and from inside gate she should get all the favours.
Tip: MORIOKA
SANDY PRINCE has been racing in super form. He was beaten less than a length in the G2 Stutt Stakes at The Valley last start and that good form for this. Has won on heavy and goes on top.
EXTREME FLIGHT started favourite at Moe two starts back and won his maiden by a space. He went to town as was just as impressive last start. He can go on with it here.
CHEERFUL LEGEND returned to racing with a dominant win at Mornington last start. He will strip fitter and on home track can measure up to these.
DARCEANDERMILL chased home hard and got the money at Hillside two starts back then he just did not finish race off last start. Makes own luck up front and will not mind if track is rain affected.
Tip: SANDY PRINCE
GLINT OF HOPE is still eligible for maiden company but she has been placed in all three starts and she comes of last start Group 3 placing. Like her out to the 2000m.
DAISES is lightly raced filly who was chasing home steadily in the G2 Edward Manifold last start. Extra distance looks ideal and although drawn awkwardly would not leave out.
MOKULUA had no luck in the G2 Edward Manifold when always wide and entitled to tire late. If she can get an easier run here she can figure.
ADELE AMOUR won her maiden first-up at Hillside then has been competitive in better races since. She must be included in exotics.
Tip: GLINT OF HOPE
Going to have something each way at odds on SAINT TROPEZ. He bolted in on the heavy ground at Bendigo two starts back and with likelihood of rain at Caulfield he will be suited.
MICRO demolished a maiden field two starts back then hit the line hard when beaten just on a length at The Valley last start. Been placed in heavy and can figure in this.
EL PATRONESS raced up on the speed before showing a sharp turn-of-hoof to put the race beyond doubt at Flemington last start. She did tire late but held a break for strong win. She will make own luck up front.
Liked the way that GUNSTOCK hit the line when placed at Flemington last start. He was a short favourite there and was not beaten all that far. Third-up from spell and like him to return to winners stall.
Tip: SAINT TROPEZ
BUFFALO RIVER loves it wet. He has won both heavy track runs and if track deteriorates he can get away with this. Must include in winning chances.
JUSTACANTA was impressive when the run presented at Flemington last start and just finished too well for them. Expect he will sit back off solid clip and have last crack at these.
GAULOIS loves wet tracks and likely to get those conditions here. Forget Flemington run when never on track from the 1400m and entitled to tire. He will be right in this.
ZOUTORI is ready third-up from spell. He fought the race out tenaciously to just miss in driving finish in the G2 Gilgai last outing. Can go one better.
Tip: BUFFALO RIVER
Plenty of rain heading for Caulfield and that brings COLETTE right into calculations as she finds another leg in wet conditions and she will be promoted to my top pick based on deteriorating track conditions.
CHAILLOT produced her usual barnstorming finish to win at Hillside first-up from spell and she maintained her unbeaten fresh record. Fitter and she can go on with it here.
SIRILEO MISS is an up and coming mare who has won both starts this time in. Keeps measuring up to everything asked of her and she goes close.
PRIDE OF JENNI gave them a real run for their money from up on the pace at Flemington last start. She is third-up and expect she will try similar tactics and will take catching.
Tip: COLETTE
Only race fitness that cost VARDA winning at Warwick Farm first-up when she was claimed on the line. Sure to be better from that outing and she is unbeaten on heavy ground. She can win.
BLESS HER chased home strongly last 200m to just miss at Hillside first-up from spell. Sure to strip fitter second-up and she is unbeaten on heavy ground. Chances enhanced if wet.
RUBISAKI is a class mare resuming from spell. She will not mind if there is any rain about and stable on fire. Watch for her to be hitting the line hard.
LASHES is another first-up from break. She races well in wet conditions and her first-up record is solid enough (6:1-2-2). She can sneak a place.
Tip: VARDA
Since coming to Melbourne INCENTIVISE has won the G1 Makybe Diva leading all the way with 59kgs then dominant winning at weight for age in the G1 Turnbull. He drops to 55.5kgs and meets easier opposition. He can win again.
Damien Oliver has ridden 4 Caulfield Cup winners and when he wastes hard to get down to 53.5 kgs to ride DELPHI he must have an opinion of him. He rode him like the best horse winning the Herbert Power last start and expect with no weight he will make this a true straying test.
THE CHOSEN ONE is a tough stayer who looks to be timing his run perfectly for this. Chased home bravely behind Delphi in the Herbert Power and with some nice weight relief here expect he will sneak into the exotics.
PERSAN comes into this third-up from spell and primed for this. He was enormous in the Melbourne Cup last year and his record around Caulfield (3:1-2-0) is super. Such an honest gelding and would not be surprised to see him look winner at some stage in the straight.
Tip: INCENTIVISE
Caulfield R10 – Caulfield Sprint (Group 2) 1000m
Been waiting for the return of ENTHAAR. She has not been seen since weakening in the Blue Diamond. Created a big impression fresh this track last prep when dominant from in front. If she is forward enough she will win this.
OXLEY ROAD comes into this ready third-up from spell. He has been placed in both runs back and loves the wet. Gets chance to return to winners stall.
Forget that SWATS THAT went around at The Valley first-up as she was never on the track from awkward barrier and entitled to tire. Fitter second-up and expect plenty of improvement.
MALKOVICH resumes from spell. He has been placed in two of three first-up tries and two recent trial wins suggest he will go close fresh.
Tip: ENTHAAR