All Star Mile day returns to Melbourne for its second running. This year, Caulfield takes the honours and includes it in a jam packed nine race card. It looks a cracking field this year, with a number of chances lining up, including the ever popular Alligator Blood. Up in Sydney, participants flock to Rosehill for the G1 Coolmore Classic. Of the nine races set down for decision, seven of them are at group level and it should be a great day of racing. A number of horses at Morphettville continue their campaigns towards the Adelaide carnival soon approaching, while the Gold Coast plays host to a great card also, with the running of the QTIS Jewel for the 2YO’s. Down below are PlayUp form analyst Lewis Willoughby’s top five bets for today.
Caulfield:R3 #2 Celestial Sol $3.00 – This 2YO Fighting Sun colt makes his long awaited debut, now with the Chris Waller stable. Back in November last year, he came out and absolutely bolted in at Cranbourne in a trial over 800m. He won by 5L extending, and running into second place was a Godolphin horse by the name of Hanseatic. Hanseatic then came out and stamped himself as one of our best 2YO’s. Since then, Celestial Sol has had an 800m jump out at Flemington where he looked really nice under a good hold through the line. Comes here drawn the inside alley, which allows him to park on speed and follow the rail. Hugh Bowman takes the steer, if he can replicate any of the ability he has shown in trials/jump outs, he should be very hard to beat.
Caulfield R6 #1 Sartorial Splendor $3.90 – This John Sadler colt comes here after a complete forgive run first up when finishing last in the G2 Rubiton Stakes. He pulled up with the thumps that day after he lead and compounded very quickly in the straight. Has been freshened since, and gets a big drop in grade here down to Listed level horses. Sticking to the 1100m journey is perfect, he is another horse that jumps from the inside alley and parks himself right in the lead. He has a very high cruising speed, and with the rail out +6m today, he could be able to stack them up when leading and kick clear on the turn. Catch him if you can!
Caulfield R7 #7 Mr Quickie $14.00 – This popular gelding comes here to the All Star Mile first up off the back of two very nice trials. He has always shown an abundance of talent, and of course is a G1 winner on his day (QLD Derby 2019). He has a great first up record with 3:1-1-1, and his record at this 1600m journey is exactly the same. Looks to get a nice run with cover from a low draw, a top jockey hops aboard, and at double figures he looks like a great each way chance. This year’s All Star Mile is very competitive though, so only a small bet here is needed.
Rosehill:R6 #10 I Am Superman $11.00 – This Snowden trained galloper ran very well first up last start, albeit beaten by a number of competitors he faces again today. That run first up was over 1300m at Randwick, and he did so after trialling very sharply back in early February. He comes here now up to 1500m second up, and will have taken a stack of benefit and fitness into this race. From barrier 4 I anticipate that he will settle just behind the speed with a very good run, and with any luck in the straight finding clear air, he can be strong over the final 200m. He doesn’t deserve to be a double figure quote, this should be your best each way bet of the day.
Rosehill R8 #10 Master Of Wine (BEST) $2.40 – The Hawkes’ operation has a very talented stayer on their hands, as proven by his ability to win so dominantly over 1400m first up, a race that was completely unsuitable for him. He now comes out to the 2000m second up, a distance that he has a great record at (4:1-2-0). Fitter for the first up effort, and on a path for much greater races, he can be putting this field away quite easily. If the rain comes, that does not hamper his chances at all, he is proven on good and soft going. This is his first attempt at group level, here’s hoping he asserts his dominance.
