Black type racing aplenty across Australia today, as the Spring carnival begins to take shape. There is three group-level races taking place at Caulfield, with the feature being the G2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes for the sprinters. A number of exciting 3 year old horses also return in the Vain and Quezette Stakes. Meanwhile at Randwick, The G3 Up & Coming Stakes likewise features a number of talented ex-juveniles returning in the heavy conditions. Racing also from Eagle Farm, Morphettville and Belmont… and keep an eye out for the Katherine Cup in the NT! PlayUp form analyst Lewis Willoughby has found five winners for the day, see them below.
Caulfield R4 #2 Plein Ciel $2.25 at PlayUp – Comes off a freshen between runs, and was last seen finishing 4th in a strong race over this track and distance. Sweated up pre race, and did well to finish off, I think the break will have done him a world of good. Sticking to the mile suits, he maps really well in this field and strikes a much easier race here with no weight penalty. 3:2-1-0 at the Caulfield mile, and the wet is no issue either. Hard to beat. Selections: 2-4-6-9
Caulfield R5 #3 Rulership $2.80 at PlayUp – A very talented 3yo returning for his Spring campaign, and I think this G3 Vain Stakes looks a perfect starting point. He was a one time Golden Slipper and Blue Diamond favourite before just not quite making it at the end of last prep, but his form around Hanseatic, Tagaloa and Doubtland reads extremely well. His recent 1080m trial at Randwick was super impressive, and I expect him to roll forward here and control things from the front. Rail out a long way, he could dictate the tempo and be too hard to get past. Selections: 3-6-5-2
Caulfield R6 #3 Parlophone $2.40 at PlayUp – This very exciting filly comes here third up, stepping off the back of an ultra-impressive win in Adelaide in listed grade. That was over the 1050m journey, and she went past the entire field as if they were stuck to the fence. You can argue that she had a light weight, yes, but the way she was able to accelerate quickly tells me she is a very smart conveyance. Fitter and improved again for two runs this prep, 1100m here will suit and the wet track is absolutely no concern. D Oliver back on, I think she contests better races than this one throughout the Spring, and can be making it three in a row here. Selections: 3-2-5-7
Randwick R7 #2 North Pacific $2.20 at PlayUp – Returns here from a freshen between runs, after last being seen winning at Rosehill over 1100m in a nice 2yo race. He has trialled in the interim and looked very good, winning the trial under an absolute stranglehold. J McDonald retains the ride off the back of that trial, and this looks a very winnable race. Well-weighted, form around Farnan on debut reads extremely well, and a wet track is likewise no problem. Can and should be winning this. Selections: 2-6-3-1
Eagle Farm R6 #1 Return With Honour $2.30 at PlayUp – Comes here to Brisbane first up, looking to resume off the back of what was a promising first campaign last season. It became clear pretty quickly that the key to this colt was a firmer surface, and so it’s no surprise to see him pop up here in the sunshine state, with the likelihood of a good racing surface. His recent trial was outstanding, only getting clear in the last 100m and accelerating brilliantly without being asked. His fresh form is his best form, and with any luck from the wide barrier draw I would expect him to be in the finish. Selections: 1-7-2-8
