We head back to Caulfield this Saturday for a strong nine race card where it looks a cracking meeting. The Bletchingly Stakes highlights the day's action as Spring draws closer and we begin to see the top-line horses return to the track.
The track is currently rated a soft 6 and the promise of good weather means we may get into the good range come race day. The rail is out 6 metres so we should see prime racing conditions across the afternoon.
As always, Billy Bestford has cast his eye across the program and brings you his Caulfield racing tips, including best bets and race previews.
Caulfield Racing Tips: Saturday July 23rd
Race 1
Looking to kick the day off early with a winner here in the first and I think (4) Hafey can do just that for us. Jamie Kah is back in business after a couple of winners last week since returning from holidays and I think she can land another one here. This horse won very impressively first up last prep before being thrown straight in the deep end in the Blue Diamond at just his 2nd start. Has jumped out really nicely for his return and I think Kah can weave her way through the field to win this.
(1) Thron Bone has been a revelation this prep for Jerome Hunter, and has now won two here and at Flemington. He’s shown plenty of ability and looks versatile, winning form up on the speed or running on from slow speeds as well.
(5) Chopin beat a smart one on debut and looks to have further improvement to come. Will take race fitness out of that and has been kept on the fresh side. Stable are flying at the moment.
(6) River Rabble looks to have come back in top order, letting down for a dominant fresh win. Very lightly raced and we might just see the best of him now. Maps to get a nice trail throughout the race and can let rip in the straight.
Race 6
Very keen on the resuming (8) Sandy Prince who has jumped out as well as you will see, running very good time for the day. He ran 2nd at only run last prep and bled so it is a good sign to see him back in top order. I love the booking of Willo who should be able to be positive from the wide gate and I expect he can sit OSL. He’s ready to go to another level now.
(2) Pascero will be the main danger who returned with a solid enough 4th over this trip. That was behind Passive Aggressive and Star Patrol who both are very good sprinters in their own right. Ideally would have loved this horse out to 1400m now however.
(6) Pounding has trialled well for his return and is a super consistent type. He was a length off Pascero last time they met. No doubt will be better over further but can sprint well first up.
(3) Kooled has been flying for the new stable and won well here last time out. The claim for Alana Kelly is ideal and she can position the horse in a forward position and will give them something to run down if things go his way.
(8) Sandy Prince
$3.90 (2 units)
Race 7
(3) Snapped should be able to jump and roll forward from the inside barrier for Kah. Has jumped out in super fashion and proved herself as a horse with plenty of ability last prep. She can sit just off the leaders here and be too strong for them over the concluding stages. Both wins last prep came over 1200m before she was tested at group 3 level. This looks well within her reach first up.
(2) Chain Of Lightning is another exciting horse who is unbeaten from three career starts. Expect that they are positive from the wide gate and with the run under the belt this prep, he has the benefit of race fitness on his side. This looks his toughest test to date but no doubt he is progressive.
(6) Sigh finished 9th last start but arguably should have probably won in what was a horror watch for those who backed her. She won her first two career starts impressively and looks ready to win again now 3rd up and hard fit.
I think (13) Mrs Chrissie was a pass mark first up when reusming from a long spell and will take a heap of improvement out of the run. Up to 1200m suits and she looks a backable price.
(14) Forbidden City probably leads here and last time she was first up she won by 8L. She mixed her form after that but on best runs I think she can be very tough to run down.
(3) Snapped
$3.80 (2 units)
Race 8
(9) Felicia looks a big price to my eye and I’ll make her my best value of the day. Was always going to need the run fresh following a long break and her 2nd up record is much better. 1200m is also another big tick while Willo takes over from a low draw. I just think she’s over the odds at the moment.
Wouldn’t shock to see (6) Oxley Road bounce back after failing first up as favourite. Was always wide there and with added fitness now he can regain form. No doubt he is one of the better horses in this race.
What a ripper (1) Streets Of Avalon is and he just continues to measure up as an improving 7yo. He loves racing here at Caulfield and no doubt will put himself on speed and give a strong kick as always. He is a proven WFA sprinter.
(8) Mileva beat many of these first up and did that well after racing wide. She is a gun fresh horse but 2nd up record is solid as well. Clearly has come back racing in good order.
(9) Felicia
$16/$4.50 (0.5/1.5 units)
