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 7
Rail Position: True entire circuit
SWERVING was well supported into a short favourite at Geelong on debut and finished too well to get the prize. Drawn to get perfect run in transit and she can make it two in a row.
UNUSUAL CULTURE is a Kiwi filly who crosses the Tasman and joins the Maher/Eustace team. Won on debut in New Zealand by a big space and with Linda Meech aboard she can win this.
CHAIN OF LIGHTNING resumes from a spell. She was impressive winning both starts on the NSW provincial circuit. Drawn ideally and a must for major chances.
Tip: SWERVING
GHAANATI was dominant winning at Flemington on debut. Sat just off speed before powering away last 200m to win as she liked. She can win again.
WRITTEN LEGEND makes debut from the astute John Sadler stable. Sure to be well educated and he has shown enough in jumpouts to be included.
HE’S HEAVEN is another making his debut. Must always respect the Peter Moody/Luke Nolen combination especially with first starts and although drawn wide must respect is supported.
Tip: GHAANATI
DANCE TO DUBAI was well supported and started favourite here last start. She raced on speed and stuck on bravely beaten less than a length. Drawn perfectly and she can win this.
TERAMIA resumes from spell. Looked good winning recent Tatura trial and she was placed in nice race at Bendigo before break. Big odds but may surprise.
BEATRIX relished the heavy ground to get up final stride and win at Hillside last start. Drawn touch wide but if gets similar conditions can win again.
Tip: DANCE TO DUBAI
GRANDSLAM was luckless when favourite here last start when always wide and overracing. Looking for him to cross and lead these and he can return to winners stall.
D’AGUILAR finished too well and got the job done here first-up then just a bit flat at Flemington second-up. If he can get a better run he can bounce back.
PANCHO is racing consistently enough but just lacks that winning dash at the end of his races. Drawn to get perfect run and must consider in this field.
Tip: GRANDSLAM
Would have liked COOLTH to have drawn a little closer to the inside rail than he has but he will go back anyway so may not make a big difference. Luck in the straight will be the key for him.
CHIEF ALTONY relished the heavy and won by a big space at Lakeside two back then arrived stride too late last start. Racing well enough to win again.
SWELTER MAGIC could be the surprise packet at enormous odds first-up from spell. She has won fresh and with early speed she will give this a shake.
Tip: COOLTH
Patrick Payne stable are flying and SQUID GAME can add to his winning numbers in this field. Comes off a strong Flemington placing and third-up from spell is ready to win.
STARRY LEGEND is screaming out for another win. Three placings since his last win and expect he will be right in the mix again.
INUNDATION brings impressive provincial form to town. Dominant winning at Mornington first-up from spell then was even more impressive last start. He can measure up to city class.
Tip: SQUID GAME
BLAZE A TRAIL powered home final stages and won here first-up from spell. He prefers dry ground and if the rain stays away he can win again.
PIONEER RIVER finds a nice race first-up from a spell. He has only been placed once in three first-up tries but drawn ideally and would not leave him out.
THE GENERAL comes into this ready third-up from a spell. Started favourite and led them up for a long way at Ballarat last start and may try similar tactics in this.
Tip: BLAZE A TRAIL
ARRAN BAY started favourite at Flemington last start and he just laid in at vital stage in the straight and that cost him victory. Needs some luck from his wide barrier but will be having something each way.
CARDINAL GEM has not been beaten all that far in any of his three runs this time in and he is ready to win a race like this. Gets chance here.
JIMMY THE BEAR made it two in a row with another gutsy win at Flemington last start and beat similar field to what he meets here. No reason cannot win again.
Tip: ARRAN BAY
SIG POSITANO is screaming out to win this campaign. Been close up in all four starts this time in and from ideal barrier he looks the one to beat.
SIGN OF USSURI resumes from spell. He will be better when he gets over further than this but he has won fresh and may surprise at juicy odds.
MAYFAIR SPIRIT is another first-up from a break. He has a couple of placings when first-up and would not leave him out of exotics.
Tip: SIG POSITANO
