The Spring Racing season continues to heat up with the running of the Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday. Race 1 is scheduled to start at 12:10pm (AEST), with a 10 race card on offer for punters.
Brendan Bunworth has analysed the form and has come up with some selections for most races on the program. The track should remain a Good4 with a lot of the key contenders for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups continuing their campaigns.
Check out our best bets for Caulfield below and be sure to head over to our Racing Tips page for more free tips this Saturday!
Caulfield Racing Tips: Saturday, September 21st 2024
Race 1: Equine Pathways Lamaro’s Hotel Handicap - 12:10pm (AEST)
(8) Quantum Cat may be aided by an inside draw in the first of the day and with Beau Mertens on board he should be able to push up to 3rd or 4th position in the run, giving him the box seat. He hasn’t placed on a Good track yet which is a slight concern but has won on the Synthetic on three occasions. He likes this distance and he almost got the money last time at The Valley (3rd) when having the same barrier.
(13) Rise To It has drawn wide in 14 which is a concern but ran a good 2nd two starts ago at Flemington when drawing wide. Michael Dee is on for the first time.
(15) Whisky On The Hill is another who has drawn wide and probably needs it wetter. Ran on well here for 3rd last start after being well back though and will likely try the same tactics again.
(8) Quantam Cat
$3.60 (1 unit)
Race 2: Living Legends 4CYTE Handicap - 12:40pm (AEST)
(11) Federer is the go here I reckon but has already come into $1.80 which is pretty short. He is unbeaten in both starts and both of those runs were on Dry ground so from barrier 1 he should be able to get a cheap run. The only query would be getting stuck back 5th or 6th on the inside and getting caught with no run in the straight. Ben Allen is on.
(5) Le Zebra has drawn wide in 11 and prefers Soft ground but can run well on the back of his 5L win in July at Headquarters. Damien Lane remains with him.
(4) Regal Zeus goes up in weight but could lead these from barrier 8. Dan Stackhouse knows him well now and if he gets cheap sectionals he could pinch this at odds.
(11) Federer
$1.80 (4 Units)
Race 3: Classic Hits Magic 1278 Handicap - 1:15pm (AEST)
(6) Quickster is resuming from a spell and will appreciate Dry ground in this first up. When first up before he has run 2nd both times and Lane on top, I expect him to be running on very well fresh. Whether he wins or not probably is determined by how fast they go up front. It is highly likely he wins a race this Spring and this could set him up for a good prep.
(3) Poifect beat some smart ones in a jumpout recently and has won twice for Michael Dee previously. Has placed 5 from 8 starts and the $1.90 on offer for a Place looks solid.
(2) Lovazou was unlucky when 3rd here on August 31 and with luck from the inside draw, she should be in the finish. She does settle midfield normally so will need luck in running from the inside.
(6) Quickster E/W
$3.80/$1.60 (1U/2U)
Race 4: NJT Jim Moloney Stakes - 1:50pm (AEST)
(7) Lilac has been in good form in NSW and the extra 200m in distance here looks ideal. Mark Zahra is on for the first time which helps and from barrier 5 I think she will settle in around 4th position which should ensure she gets every chance down the home straight. She is third run in from a spell now and should be nearly at peak fitness.
(1) Silmarillion came from midfield to score at The Valley last start but from barrier here she may position up 3rd behind the leader. A good track suits but I’m not sure about the distance.
(4) Too Darn Lizzie is fitter now and may lead this field. She goes to the 1400m for the first time and may be a winning chance next time.
TIP: No Bet
Race 5: Millennium Testa Rossa Stakes - 2:25pm (AEST)
(3) Another Wil is one of the most popular bets on the card after he was excellent in winning on August 31 at Caulfield. He had a wide barrier and was well back before he rounded them up late. Kah has already won on 5 occasions on top and he is the one to beat. Barrier 1 may actually be a disadvantage though considering his racing style but I can’t bet against him really. He was won 4 from 4 on Dry ground which he should get again.
(2) Here To Shock likes Caulfield and likes Dry tracks. Forget latest run but go on the Doomben win back on May 25. He ran on very well that day and if he gets the luck and the favourite doesn’t, then he can win.
(7) Jimmy The Bear ran very well during the winter but this is harder. The drop in distance suits though and he has been running on well.
(2) Another Wil WIN
$2.00 (4 Units)
Race 6: Tour d’horse Sprint - 3pm (AEST)
(11) Commemorative has drawn wide in 10 but that may suit as he does like to get back and get to the outside in his races. He ran on well for 2nd at Randwick last start after being 6th on the turn and he is racing over his preferred distance again against easier opposition. He does go better on Soft tracks though which is a slight concern but he does have the quality services of Kah.
(12) Rey Magnerio is quick but has barrier 12 here. He loves this distance and has had a number of jumpouts leading into this race so should be fit enough.
(8) Jimmysstar has a good first up record and has a lot of talent but has been costly to punters previously. He does usually get back in his races but so far he is really known for the infamous day where he was ridden forward to punters disgust when he was $1.25 beaten favourite.
TIP: No Bet
Race 7: Catanach’s Jewellers MRC Foundation Cup - 3:35pm (AEST)
(15) Saint George is my current pick for the Melbourne Cup so I am hoping here runs well in this. He was desperately unlucky at this track (8th) when beaten only 1.8L last start so with more luck he should be strong to the line. He is having his second look at Caulfield which would be good for a potential Caulfield Cup start in a few weeks. He needs further but this is an ideal race second up.
(16) Immediacy likes Dry tracks and this distance should suit after he ran on well last start behind Pericles. Is 1 from 1 at Caulfield and can win.
(2) Just Fine will go forward and may lead this for a long way. If the Futures horses don't pressure him midrace he might get cheap sectionals. Has won 3 times over this distance so is another who can win.
(15) Saint George Each-Way
$4.20/$1.80 (1U/2U)
Race 8: Henley Homes Underwood Stakes - 4:15pm (AEST)
(11) Place Du Carrousel is resuming and is better on Soft tracks but I reckon she can pinch this race. She is 1 from 1 over the distance and she has won or comes 2nd on five occasions when first up from a spell. She was settling midfield last prep in NSW and Zahra will likely try the same tactics here. Her form overseas was excellent and she won a recent Mornington trial very well. Trialled well two back against Warmonger when 2nd and that horse is now 2nd fac for the Melbourne Cup.
(2) Pericles won so very easy last time but this is obviously a lot harder. Confidence may be high now though and he is the fav. He settled 3rd at The Valley last start and just played with them really when jogging to the line to score after being backed heavily.
(1) Vow And Declare always pops up for placing at odds and may do it in this race again. He is a little fitter than others and he likes Dry ground. He won the Group 3 Tatts Cup at Eagle Farm two starts ago and that was on a Good 3.
(11) Place Du Carrousel Each-Way
$4.80/$1.90 (1U/2U)
Race 9: Sportsbet Caulfield Guineas Prelude - 4:55pm (AEST)
(5) Wanaruah gets a good chance to lead this field after drawing barrier 1. He settled 2nd last time in the Group 3 Up & Coming at Rosehill (2nd) and he will be fitter after that effort. He probably does like rain-affected tracks better but he has been very impressive in his 3 career starts and has in-form Blake Shiinn on top. He has won over this distance and he is the likely 2nd pick for most punters.
(2) Angel Capital was huge last start when winning from off the pace at The Valley and the stable said his best is yet to come. That was on a Good4 in which he should get here and he has drawn well in barrier 3.
(3) Epimeles has drawn wide in 10 and was slow out when resuming so that’s a worry. He has won twice on Good tracks though and Johnny Allen knows him well after winning on him twice previously.
(5) Wanaruah Each-Way
$5.00/$2.00 (1U/2U)
Race 10: Here For The Horses Plate - 5:25pm (AEST)
(8) Extratwo loves Dry tracks and has a very good career winning strike rate. His latest two runs have been very good from off the speed and Shinn carries 56kg so he hasn’t been penalised much since winning at The Valley 2 starts back. He loves this distance and he has proven before that he can handle Caulfield. He is probably 100 percent fit now and at each-way odds he is a good play to end the day.
(4) Red Card has run poorly at this track previously but the stable wouldn’t race him here again if they think he wouldn’t handle it. He usually rolls forward in his races and his 6th in the Group 3 Concorde at Randwick was pretty solid.
(2) Eternal Flame goes well first up and goes well for Ethan Brown. A Good track is ideal and at big odds he may be worth a go if you need to get out.
(8) Extratwo Each-Way
$6.50/$2.35 (1U/2U)
Quaddie Tips
Leg one: 1, 2, 15, 16
Leg two: 1, 2, 8, 11
Leg three: 2, 3, 5
Leg four: 2, 4, 8
