Early Oil: Caulfield tips for Monash Stakes meeting
Group racing returns to Caulfield on Saturday with a strong field assembled for the Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) where Godolphin’s Ingratiating is the early favourite.
Expecting the track to be somewhere within the soft range and the rail is out three metres for the entire circuit.
BEST BET
Ingratiating (Race 8 No.1)
A horse that absolutely loves Caulfield having. Won at the track and distance last time in, handles all conditions and was good enough to run in an Everest last year. As a three time Group 1 placegetter he’s the best weighted horse in the country on Saturday.
NEXT BEST
Trosettee (Race 2 No.4)
Former Kiwi that may be the best wet tracker going around on Saturday and if the track is in the heavy range or even a soft (7) the $8.50 is big overs. Winner of five of nine in those conditions back in New Zealand over 2000m plus which he finally gets.
VALUE BET
Born Hustler (Race 4 No.2)
Think a mile might see her out so like her back to 1400m here where she’s two from four. Will handle all conditions as well and gets some weight relief after the 3kg claim for Laura Lafferty and is rock hard fit for this.
EARLY QUADDIE
4,6,9/4,5,6,10/2,4,6,9/10,6,3
BIG 6
2,4,6,9/10,6,3/2,3/1,4,9,11/1,2/1,5,7,8
QUADDIE
2,3/1,4,9,11/1,2/1,5,7,8
RACE 1
Tricky two-year-old race to start the day. Siding with unraced filly HONOR GALORE (6). The daughter of Spirit Of Boom has shown good speed at the trials, can roll forward here and take some running down. IT’S NA LOCK IN (5) didn’t beat much at Casterton but hard to not be impressive in the way she did it when coasting in by six lengths. SPICY MARGS (14) was hard in the market for the Ottawa Stakes on debut and has looked good at the jump outs. NOT A SINGLE GIRL (11) is a half sister to Cusack who won the Ballarat Magic Millions as a juvenile. Cost $400,000 and looks to have ability.
SUGGESTED BET: Honor Galore (6) each-way.
TAB MARKET MOVER: It’s A Lock In (5) $5 into $4.20
RACE 2
Former Kiwi TROSETTEE (4) may be the best wet tracker going around on Saturday and if the track is in the heavy range or even a soft (7) the $8.50 is big overs. Winner of five of nine in those conditions back in New Zealand over 2000m plus which he finally gets. I’m confident MAYFAIR SPIRIT (9) is going much better than the form guide suggests. Didn’t have much luck at his last two runs in NSW and then thought he went super at Sandown last start when sticking on for second after a tough run. Gets a good drop in weight from that effort. ARISTONOUS (6) won a handy race in Sydney last start to make it two for two in Australia. Looks to be another find for the Neasham yard and this is a step up in grade but does look to have some upside. PROTECTION MONEY (12) is a solid roughie. Never sighted first-up but a likely improver with the run and out to 2000m.
SUGGESTED BET: Trosettee (4) to win and saver on Mayfair Spirit (9).
TAB MARKET MOVER: Trosettee (4) $8 into $7
RACE 3
Handy race for the three-year-olds and TORRANZINO (10) relished the rise in trip and rain affected conditions at Warracknabeal last time out. Thrown in with just 54kg, a good barrier and Dean Yendall on board. SO SLEEK (6) was good last start behind a handy one in First Immortal who came out and won again. A veteran of only four starts, he’s continued to improve with racing and should do so again sticking at 2000m. FUN SUNDAY (5) comes down from her Hawkesbury base following a strong win from the back in the midweeks. Has form around the progressive Grebeni. ARTZINO (4) another coming out of the First Immortal race. Didn’t have much luck there and drawn tricky again.
SUGGESTED BET: Torranzino (10) to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Torranzino (10) $7 into $5
RACE 4
Think a mile might see out BORN HUSTLER (2) so like her back to 1400m here where she’s two from four. Will handle all conditions as well and gets some weight relief after the 3kg claim for Laura Lafferty and is rock hard fit for this. SHE’S PRETTY RICH (4) has tackled tougher races than this and is one the back up after a solid effort behind Seonee in the Leilani Series Final. A bit of give in the track suits her and she’s got her hoof on the till. HAZEL BABY (6) is a progressive type that was OK when racing in the worst part of the track last time out. Wider draw suits and can bounce back. OUR RED MORNING (9) comes out of maiden grade but the win rated well and it was on a bottomless deck so the prospect of rain won’t hurt her chances.
SUGGESTED BET: Born Hustler (2) each-way.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Toronado Rouge (5) $16 into $9
RACE 5
There’s a few things against HENNESSY LAD (10) but he’s better than winter grade and worth the gamble. Rose through the grades at the start of the year, resulting in a fourth to Pericles in the Autumn Classic. He’s two for two first-up but needs luck from the gate. MENSA MISSILE (6) always needs the first-up run but improves out of sight second-up having won three of five. Beat the impressive Democracy Manifest in Sydney last campaign. RIVERPLATE (3) makes his own luck up on the speed. Generally better fresh but in the mix. MONARCH OF EGYPT (1) looks suited back in grade.
SUGGESTED BET: Hennessy Lad (10) to win and save on Mensa Missile (6).
TAB MARKET MOVER: Passione (16) $26 into $14
RACE 6
Talented four-year-old BRIGANTINE (2) looks well placed here. Has had a freshen up since his third to Munhamek at black type level in Brisbane and he’s drawn to get the run of the race. Take note that he is a dual acceptor in Sydney. Group 2 winner POLAND (3) was strong first-up and likely comes here with good improvement out to 1400m. UMGAWA (7) has been racing consistently at this level and now gets out to seven furlongs third-up. PROCONSENT (8) will enjoy the conditions and light weight.
SUGGESTED BET: Brigantine (2) to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Brigantine (2) $2.60 into $2.40
RACE 7
Hard to go past FLYING ON A LIMB (4). She beat the handy Katsu in style last time out who is in the market for Saturday’s feature. Do concede she is some query at the trip but looks to have talent. SMILE AND WAVE (11) looks to be the x-factor in the race but has to be some query on a wet track. Won her two starts last campaign but well handled on debut on a heavy (9). KIN (9) is racing well without winning. RAIN LORD (3) was a strong winner down the straight last time out and looks to have a bit of talent.
SUGGESTED BET: Flying On A Limb (4) to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Flying On A Limb (4) $7 into $4.80
RACE 8
Think it can be a strong day for James Cummings and have INGRATIATING (1) as the one to beat in the feature. Well placed under the weight for age scale, he resumed over this track and trip last campaign for a win in similar conditions and ticks plenty of boxes. Good enough to run in an Everest last year, he should be taking this out. Speedster MALKOVICH (2) is first-up off a seven length trial win at Hawkesbury. Did run fourth in last year’s Oakleigh Plate at this track/trip. Last year’s winner MILEVA (9) is a much better horse on rain affected tracks and the 1100m around Caulfield is her sweet spot. SWEET RIDE (7) returns for his latest campaign and has mixed it with the best three-year-olds of his generation including Best Of Bordeaux and In Secret.
SUGGESTED BET: Ingratiating (1) to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Sigh (13) $7 into $5
RACE 9
Four-year-old gelding FRENCH EMPEROR (8) has been knocking on the door in tougher races with runner up finishes to Altivo and Brayden Star. Gets his chance to break through here fourth-up out to 1700m. Expect FLASH FLOOD (7) to relish the conditions late in the card. He’s flying having won last start at Sandown prior to a near miss at Warrnambool on the heavy (10). Talented galloper GREEN FLY (5) hasn’t turned up in the same form that saw him beat the likes of Detonator Jack last campaign but maybe getting out in trip and the rain affected track can see him improve. CHIEF ALTONY (1) is always in the mix of soft tracks and was solid under the big weight in South Australia last time out.
SUGGESTED BET: French Emperor (8) to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Saint Bathans (4) $13 into $8
