We’re right in the thick of the spring carnival now, and every Saturday brings a treat for racing fans. It’s Caulfield’s big day to provide the thrills once more, and you can check out our runner-by-runner Caulfield Cup preview here.
Caulfield Cup day: feature race tips and previews
CAMERON ROSE
EDITOR
CAULFIELD SPRINT - 1000m, Caulfield R6
A handy little field has been assembled for the Caulfield Sprint.
Lofty Strike has to give away five and six kilo’s to the rest of the field in his first start as a four-year-old, but six of his 10 career starts have been at Group 1 level against the best sprinters in Australia. In three of those, he has been less than a length from the winner. He’s won three of his four starts below that level, including first-up last prep when beating home the likes of Uncommon James and Chain of Lightning. The risk is that he hasn’t been seen as an older horse yet.
Spacewalk wasn’t at the level of Lofty Strike as a three-year-old, and gets 6kg’s off him accordingly here, but he has at least be seen as a four-year-old when resuming three weeks ago at Warwick Farm. He started a raging hot favourite over 1000m there, and got the job done, suggesting that there is Group races in him.
Midwest and Generation bring in Asfoora form, and twice we have seen how devastating she has been around the Caulfield short-course this spring. Midwest was only a length behind her back in early September, with Generation only another length away again. A case can be made for both sprinters, but back to 1000m for Midwest might be the key to him.
Selections: 1.Lofty Strike 2.Spacewalk 3.Midwest 4.Generation
Cameron rose's Tip
LOFTY STRIKE
WIN
The Mccafe Sprint 21 October 15:15
Win
Place
* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds
TRISTARC STAKES - 1400m, Caulfield R7
A small but select field has come together for the Tristarc, with every horse some sort of chance.
Wrote To Arataki has always appealed as a Caulfield 1400m mare, and she finally gets her chance to prove it after so often racing over her pet distance at Flemington. Her first-up run behind the smart Benedetta has superb, and last start she was very good again in the Blazer Stakes. She gets the set-up to lead this race, and if Dean Yendall can rate her perfectly in front, she will kick clear at the top of the straight and give nothing else a chance.
Skew Wiff, C’est Magique and Waltz On By shape as the main dangers, but the race doesn’t end there.
Skew Wiff is coming off a Group 1 win in New Zealand back in early September, and was placed twice at the highest level over there twice in the autumn. She’s a class runner who still has to prove herself in Australia, but her formlines through Dragon Leap are okay.
C’est Magique finished right alongside Wrote To Arataki in the Cockram Stakes earlier this prep, when they both chased Benedetta home. She’s being tested at 1400m for the first time, so still has to tick that box, but is the definition of knocking on the door of a victory. She’s too good not to claim another win soon.
Waltz On By has also finished alongside Wrote To Arataki this campaign, in the Blazer Stakes last start. She also has a touch of quality about her, and looms as a coming winner.
Selections: 1.Wrote To Arataki 2.Skew Wiff 3.C’est Magique 4.Waltz On By
Cameron rose's Tip
WROTE TO ARATAKI
EACH-WAY
Sharp Eit Tristarc Stakes 21 October 15:50
Win
Place
* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds
THOUSAND GUINEAS PRELUDE - 1400m, Caulfield R5
The Thousand Guineas Prelude has attracted a big field, and with so many lightly raced fillies and multiple formlines, it looks to be the sort of race that might throw an upset result.
Apache Song had three starts as a two-year-old, with the most notable being when running second to I Am Unstoppable at Listed level back in April. That colt is one of the best sprinters of his generation, and will start one of the favourites in the Coolmore Stud Stakes on Derby Day.
Apache Song took to a Moe maiden for an easy kill to kick off her three-year-old season, with the notable booking of Craig Williams for his only ride of the day. It’s a long way to go for a rider of that calibre, which suggests this is a filly going places, reinforced by her near-seven length win.
Inhibitions is a consistent filly with a bit of class about her, stepping up to 1400m after three rock-solid performances over six furlongs. She ran well behind good horses in two goes at this distance as a two-year-old, draws beautifully here, and get James McDonald on board.
The Waterhouse/Bott pair of Oz Empress and Azula create interest at double figure odds. Oz Empress should lead this field along, just as she did last start at this track and distance when winning the Jim Moloney. Her previous form around Inhibitions and Charm Stone ties right in. Azula is resuming after racing in the Queensland winter, and comes into this off the back of two trials. She can make her presence felt if ready.
Lovely Lookin’ is the favourite, but looks a false one given the form around her Adelaide wins is pretty ordinary. Coeur Volante was impressive at the Valley last time out, but Mike Moroney horses aren’t known for their consistency, and it might be worth seeing her again before being a believer.
Selections: 1.Apache Song 2.Inhibitions 3.Oz Empress 4.Azula
Cameron rose's Tip
APACHE SONG
EACH-WAY
Manhari Metals Thousand Guineas Prelude 21 October 14:35
Win
Place
* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds
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