It is undoubtedly Caulfield’s day in the sun this Saturday, with one of the most anticipated Saturdays of their entire year being run and won. The Caulfield Guineas day hosts a huge four group one races, including of course the Guineas itself. It’s a marathon 10 race card, so there will be ample betting opportunity throughout the whole day. Randwick is hosting the G1 Spring Champion Stakes under hot and sunny weather, while there is also listed racing at Morphettville with the Hill Smith Stakes over 1800m. Doomben hosts the annual running of the Listed Queensland Cup, and not to be forgotten is the Magic Millions 3yo Classic over at Ascot in the West. PlayUp form analyst Lewis Willoughby outlines his five best of the day below.
Caulfield R2 #3 Swats That $2.30 at PlayUp – Third up here and comes off an outstanding last start win at The Valley, where she was forced to sit three wide without cover up on a hot tempo, and still managed to drop the rest of the field at the top of the straight with ease. She is a seriously talented filly who has already beaten a number of key rivals that she faces again in this race, and I’m not sure how they turn the tables. Sticks to the 1200m at G3 level, and should find a lovely spot in behind the speed from barrier seven. The 2nd placing behind September Run when fresh at Flemington is a strong form line as well, with that horse now one of the favourites for the Coolmore. Think she is a G1 level horse, and can account for this field. Selections: 3-4-6-2
Caulfield R3 #6 Windstorm $2.10 at PlayUp – Coming off a very deserved breakthrough Melbourne victory last time at this track and trip, getting the better of Buffalo River in the closing stages. Buffalo River is now starting favourite for a G1 later in the day, and we can still get above even money about Windstorm who sticks to Listed grade and looks extremely well weighted. There looks to be enough speed on even in this small field that should set up excellently for Windstorm. He’s fourth up into the campaign now and likely to be rock hard fit, and finds a pretty basic field. Keen he is able to make it two in a row here. Selections: 6-4-7-2
Caulfield R7 #3 Instant Celebrity $3.50 at PlayUp – A highly promising Stokes filly that is aiming to go from a 2yo debut win, to a G1 winner all in her first prep of racing. An obviously extraordinary hard feat to pull off, but such is the high regard I have of this horse, I think she can do it. Her win two starts back in Adelaide when fresh was breathtaking, with an explosive turn of foot. She then came to Melbourne last start and put them away easily in the G2 Tranquil Star. Now out to 1600m here back at Caulfield, she has that serious x-factor about here, and seems to make easy transitions between grades. Rider C Williams has an excellent record in this race, and she should be flying home over the top in the closing stages. Selections: 3-1-4-7
Randwick R3 #8 Bound To Win $5.00 at PlayUp – Keen to play on Bound To Win here, who I think should be a touch shorter in the market for this BM88 event. He completely missed the jump last start when racing here first up over 1200m, and was a $5.50 chance that day as well. After settling last about 30L off the leader, he was never a winning chance and it was a complete forget run. Out to 1400m now second up, and he has an unbeaten 2:2-0-0 record at this stage, as well as an unbeaten one from one at this trip. Holds the competitive low weight of 54kg, and all things being equal at the start of the race, he should settle much closer this time and is a seriously competitive chance. Selections: 8-9-1-3
Randwick R5 #3 Prime Star $3.80 at PlayUp – Fourth up here into the G2 Stan Fox Stakes, and was gallant in defeat behind Athiri last time out over 1200m. The form from that race is staking up nicely, and stepping out to 1500m at the peak of his campaign looks ideal. He gives the impression that more distance is needed now this far into the prep, with his closing sectionals last time rating very well for the race and the meeting in general. He can camp in behind the leaders within this small field, and with the turn of foot that he possesses, the sit and sprint style of race should actually play into his benefit. This looks his best shot at group-level success, confident he can take it. Selections: 3-2-5-4
