Caulfield Racing: 2017 Australia Day Preview & Betting Tips

This 2017 Australia Day features a bumper 8 race card to look forward to at Caulfield which includes the Blue Diamond previews for both the boys and girls.

There is also the Listed John Dillon Stakes as we continue to see the good horses return ahead of the Autumn. The track is rated a Good 3 with the rail out 6m and we have racing betting tips for every race below: 

2017 Australia Day Racing Betting Tips

Race 1

Wide open race to kick things off but I'm keen to have something on a couple at odds here. SHE'S GOT SPEED has been racing well and has form behind Domino Vitale. Last start just had too much to do, but I think the step up to 2000m is in her favour here and Oliver takes the ride at 54kg. She's only had the one career win but the $8 is a good price. GILAGO is the other that comes up a good price at $14. I thought her first up run over 1600m was very good given she normally needs the run. She tends to improve 2nd up and she is undefeated over 2000m from 3 starts, so while this is her toughest test yet, everything points to her running a big race here at big odds. 

Tip: She's Got Speed / Gilago EW (Best Value) 

Race 2

Another wide open race with a number of winning hopes. Nothing wrong with the way CRYSTAL FOUNTAIN is going after notching up her third win from as many starts last time out. The step up to 1400m looks like it could suit her and the claim brings her down to a winnable weight. She will roll forward and make her own luck (note: Crystal Fountain now scratched, making the official play Princess of Queens). The value in the race is PRINCESS OF QUEENS who hasn't had any luck in either of her two starts this prep. First up she was held up the entire straight and last start she didn't have a lot of room. Oliver sticks with her and the formline behind Fuhryk first up is a good one. $9 is a good each way price.

Tip: Princess Of Queens EW  

Race 3

The Diamond Preview for the boys here and it's hard to bet confidently here with a number of first starters, including some that haven't even jumped out publicly. Happy to stick with AZAZEL though who I think is a pretty smart colt. My concern is that from barrier 8 he may give Wait For No One a decent head start, and he might be better suited over the longer distance of the Diamond. In saying that, his debut performance was very sound and his second start could be forgiven for being caught in the worst part of the track. He's trialled sharply leading into this and if he is tuned up for this expect him to be hard to beat. The value in the race could be first starter SHEER MADNESS who jumped out nicely at Caulfield under a hold and should get a good run from barrier 5. At around 20/1 he's worth a spec. Hard race to bet into though.

Tip: Azazel / Sheer Madness EW 

Race 4

I think this is clearly between the two at the top of the weights in Limestone and TULIP. Leaning towards Tulip here who really was impressive on debut at the Valley when coming from last and making a looping run and still winning with ease. If she's taken improvement from that run then she will be mighty hard to beat here, especially if she can settle closer from barrier 3. Her last 600m splits on debut were 11.17, 11.40 and 11.89 as compared to Limestone's splits of 11.43, 11.66 and 11.63. But Tulip wasn't really fully tested and had to make a wide looping run. Limestone has since gone on to win a good race down the Flemington straight, so if Tulip isn't at her best then Limestone looks the winner. But I just think Tulip has the overall class, despite possibly being better suited over a little more ground and the $2.90 looks a very backable price. The value could be SPOILS who flashed home on debut behind Wait For No One who could very well win the Preview.

Tip: Tulip (Best Bet)

Race 5

Pretty keen on LUCKY PADDY here who drops to 54.5kg here and receives a 2kg weight swing on Refulgent and a 4kg weight swing on Dodging Bullets from last start. He was only beaten by less than half a length on that occasion so he looks well placed and ready to win. There's four genuine winning chances in a small field, however, so the best ride might be enough to win it.

Tip: Lucky Paddy 

Race 6

Happy to back ALMA'S ROSSA here and take on the favourite Hard Promise who jumps from a Thursday BM64 to a strong BM70 here. Alma's Rossa is racing really well and went very close against the fillies last start over 1400m here. Down in weight and Oliver takes over so looks a decent each way bet at $6. Biggest danger could be the Snowden horse FIRST APPROVAL who comes down from Sydney where he's bumped into Tactical Advantage (who is flying) and Arbeitsam (who then contested the 3YO MM Guineas). 

Tip: Alma's Rossa EW 

Race 7

This is an awesome race and it's not often I can make a case for every horse in a race to win but that's the case here, bar maybe Tonopah. I actually think 7 of the 8 horses could win this. I expect the market will really tell the story in the lead up to the race so keep an eye on those being backed because with a few first up from a spell here the betting moves could tell you how forward they are. That's certainly the case with HUMIDOR, who should go very close here if Weir has him tuned up. This horse is Group 1 placed over 2000m in NZ and ran 4L behind Le Romain in his only Australian start in the Cantala Stakes during the Spring. He didn't get much luck there either, and horses having their first start for Weir always seem to improve out of sight. He is one of the few in this race that has the ability to contest better races than this, while much of the field have found their level here. At $6 he's worth a bet. GRANDE ROSSO is flying and will be hard to run down, DUKE OF BRUNSWICK has never finished outside the top 2 when second up from a spell, and REAL LOVE could be the value at double figure odds. Her first up run last campaign in Group 2 company over 1600m was enormous and while this is too short, she has the ability to pull out a big run here.

Tip: Humidor

Race 8

Incredibly tough way to finish the day with a wide open race and nothing particularly standing out. It might pay to give STELLAR COLLISION one more go, down in the weights after the claim, well drawn and back around a bend. He's burnt punters this prep but he might be ready to win here if things go his way, and his run two starts back was enough to convince me he's not going horribly. CHIAVARI looks a value chance with the formlines he brings to the race. Last start he ran well in the race Ameristralia came out of and before that it was Divine Mr Artie and Lyuba. The concern is her record at the track. Tough way to end the day!

Tip: Stellar Collision