Huge day of racing coming up around the country, headlined by the G1 meeting at Caulfield with the running of the CF Orr Stakes. That goes along with the Blue Diamond Preludes’, as well as a number of G2 and G3 events. Randwick follows suit, with the running of the Inglis series for the 2 and 3 year olds, as well as the Eskimo Prince Stakes. Take a look at our expert selections below.
Caulfield R1 #9 Imperial Lad $5.50 at PlayUp – Third up here, was a winner fresh over 1200m beating Knowles and Monsters Inc impressively by 1.5L. Then went to Sandown and finished third behind impressive SA galloper Second Slip in a bm78 over the 1300m. He led them up on that occasion and was no match late for the winner who had a drop on him. Third up and ready to peak here, and although up in grade gets a huge drop in weight down to a possible 52.5kg with the claim. That is a huge 7.5kg off the maximum, and carries far less weight than the current favourite Regardsmaree. He is yet to win over 1400m, but has run very well in metro grade over a mile previously, and his best rating performances often come on softer ground, which is likely on Saturday.
Caulfield R2 #5 Arcaded $2.90 at PlayUp – Looks the main Godolphin chance in this fillies Blue Diamond Preview, with only the one career start being a very impressive win at this track and trip back on the 13th of Jan. It has been the highest rating run out of any of the horses in this field, and although had the perfect run on that occasion she still managed to put that field away dominantly and was eased down on the line. The break between runs is no concern, no doubt they would have kept her right up to the mark in terms of fitness. Drawn a touch more awkwardly today, but as you’d expect from these 2yo races there will be high tempo, and she maps to slot in right behind them. Also worth having small saving bets on stablemate Telluride, and Bird Of Dubai.
Caulfield R3 #3 Extreme Warrior $6.00 at PlayUp – Getting a very good price here about Extreme Warrior, who was seriously unlucky not to win last start behind General Beau in the Listed BD preview. Was caught three wide no cover throughout the entire run. He ran the fastest 400-200m split of the entire meeting, which demonstrates how hard he was working in the run. He stuck on to finish 2nd, and was making great ground again through the line. From barrier one today with added fitness and a much softer run, he should be able to reverse the result from last start.
Caulfield R7 #6 Snapdancer $3.10 at PlayUp – Snapdancer gets the nod here in an exciting edition of the G3 Bellmaine Stakes, coming up against seasoned winners like Probabeel and Sierra Sue, both of which are first up. Snapdancer, however, is the one with the race fitness on her side and that should give her an edge. Went to QLD for a solid 3rd placing in the Magic Millions fillies and mares race, hitting the line very well. She comes here fourth up rock hard fit and holding peak, and comes back to 1200m where she is unbeaten from three attempts. Barrier four looks perfect, she can bounce and race up on speed and can be too strong to the line over the other horses who are lacking the race fitness.
Randwick R4 #8 April Rain $1.95 at PlayUp – Very keen to see this talented April Rain make it three wins from three starts this campaign, and expecting she does exactly that in this mares bm78 race. Her latest win over 1250m at Canterbury was very strong, and easily justified her super short quote that night. She looks a group class horse in the making, J McDonald sticks aboard, 1300m now third up looks ideal and she will be given every chance from the barrier in what is now only a field of 9 horses. The drying ground is very suitable, although should it rain again she will have no issues, already a dominant soft6 winner in maiden grade two runs back.
