What a massive day of G1 racing we have ahead of us, including three Group 1 races at Caulfield and a G2 race up at Rosehill in the wet weather. The babies will be on display, with the Blue Diamond and the Silver Slipper, so look for those two races to really start to shape the Golden Slipper market coming up not too far from now. Take a look at our expert selections below.
Caulfield R2 #7 Oxley Road $3.20 at PlayUp – Keen to play Oxley Road here, who looks to get an outstanding map in this 1200m G3 Zeditave Stakes. It looks a race that really lacks go forward horses, and therefore should be run at a slow tempo. The only go forward horse it seems is Oxley Road, who led on debut and bolted in at Flemington in very good style. If he is able to get the front and dictate terms to his liking, he could be extremely hard to get past here on a firm Caulfield surface with the rail back in the true.
Caulfield R3 #3 Malicorne $3.10 at PlayUp – Another bet form a map perspective here, this time Malicorne gets the nod for the Laurie/Stackhouse combination. Comes here rock hard fit fourth up into the campaign, and was last seen in a very gallant defeat behind La Mexicana, which is obviously a strong form reference. Steps out here to the 1400m for the second time in her career, and although she ran last at her only other attempt it was a completely inconclusive run where she was immediately spelled. She’s fit, will go forward and is racing in fine form. I have a lot of respect for Impecunious, and prices permitting it will be a saving bet, but it is first up off no jump outs or trials and will be getting back in the run.
Caulfield R6 #7 Probabeel $3.60 at PlayUp – The first of the G1 races comes up here in the Futurity Stakes, and i’m sticking with Probabeel who comes off an electric fresh win at G3 level over 1200m here at Caulfield. She sat back and deep without cover in the run and when presented for an effort she picked them up in a few strides and put them away for a dominant victory. Word from the yard was that she was carrying some condition, and would improve off the fresh effort. Second up here, to think that she has improved off her fresh run should be a scary thought for her rivals. 1400m is her pet distance, having already a G1 victory to her name at this trip, and she should be hard to beat
Caulfield R9 #9 Nonconformist $6.00 at PlayUp – Loved the way he returned with a third placing last start against what was a laughably slow tempo for a G3 event. He got back in the field and had no right to run on as well as he did through the line over the 1600m. Second up now to 1800m is ideal, and his record at Caulfield reads 7:2-4, so you know that he is bound to run well. Can enjoy a more genuine tempo here today in a harder event, and from barrier 11 will be back and stalking and looking to run on strongly when the whips are presented. The booking of L Currie is positive, and expect a big performance here.
Rosehill R5 #2 Zethus $7.30 at PlayUp – Thought the price around this Godolphin runner was completely unfair, third up here off a win in the G3 Canonbury last start. Most importantly that win was in the soft 7 conditions, and it is likely to face similar wet conditions again today which it can obviously handle. Should have some great fitness now third up into the campaign, and returning to the track and distance in which it has had its two career starts at reads well. The debut run behind Remarque was sound, the wider draw here will actually be very suitable with the heavy track, and he looks a great each way bet.
