Attention is squarely focused on Caulfield today, as they play host to Three gripping G1 races. This years G1 Blue Diamond looks to be one of the strongest in recent memory, with a huge number of chances lining up including the super talented Hanseatic. That race splits the other big ones, with the Futurity Stakes before hand, and the Oakleigh Plate afterwards. There’s a couple of G2 races at Rosehill in Sydney, and the usual racing from other metropolitan venues. Also, it is Kangaroo Island Cup day! With so much destruction from the recent fires on the island, it will be wonderful to see them racing today. PlayUp form analyst Lewis Willoughby has outlines his best five bets of the day, as well as his quick thoughts on the G1 races.
Caulfield:R2 #3 Adelaide Ace $2.90 at PlayUp – Two runs this prep have been excellent, a dominant win first up over 1400m, and then a very gallant effort up in grade last start in a Caulfield G2 behind Microphone. This horse actually ran quicker late sectionals than the top two horses, and sat without cover for most of that race. Comes straight up to the 1800m third up, drawn to get the suck run from barrier one, so he looks perfectly placed. The Lindsey Smith stable is in unreal form at the moment, it looks set to continue here.
Caulfield R9 #4 Kings Will Dream $2.50 at PlayUp – Last start first up in the G1 CF Orr this Waller gelding ran an absolute pearler of a race. Settled back midfield and flew home over the 1400m to finish 3rd beaten 0.4L to Alabama Express. He ran a quicker last 600/400/200m than the top two, which reads very well for stepping up to the 1800m here today back in grade to a G2. Is fitter second up with a good record at this stage (4:1-2), and is one win from one attempt at the 1800m distance. Drawn to get a suck run midfield on the fence from barrier 1, class should prevail here.
BLUE DIAMOND TIP – Hanseatic a freakish talent, but needs luck! Best roughies Tagaloa, Aryaaf, Muntaseera.
FUTURITY TIP – Super Seth a very talented 3YO, to beat Kolding and Melody Belle. Wild Planet best roughie.
OAKLEIGH PLATE TIP – Bivouac very hard to beat, Pippie and Anaheed main dangers, but drawn wide.
Rosehill:R7 #2 Microphone $3.10 at PlayUp – Godolphin runner coming here to the G2 Hobartville Stakes third up, last start was a sharp winner at Caulfield over the 1400m. Sticking to that distance suits, as he is unbeaten from two attempts at it. The wide draw of barrier 11 may even be a positive too, should find cover midfield and be able to find the better going in the straight if the track stays in the softer range. The best factor though, is that he has that key residual race fitness over his other main rivals. Ready to peak third up, Hugh Bowman goes aboard another tick. That fitness edge should get him over the line, big chance.
Rosehill R9 #9 Asiago $8.50 at PlayUp – Like the chances of this Godolphin filly who resumes here. Was a winner of 4 races from 5 starts last prep, only failing when taken to Moonee Valley to contest a G2 race. Definitely wasn’t suited to leading in a hot tempo that day, so that start forgiven she had a near faultless prep. Comes here to the 1400m with a good record at this stage of the prep, having won a maiden first up last start, that was on a soft 7 and she is likely to get similar conditions to that as well. One attempt at the 1400m was a solid win on a heavy 8, so she can handle the distance too. Admit she may be lacking some fitness, but she has been forgotten about by the market. Very good each way bet.
Eagle Farm: R9 #5 Emerald Kingdom $2.30 at PlayUp – They say all you can do is win, and this Heathcote horse is doing just that at the moment. Was won three on the bounce this prep, including a more than dominant 3L win in this grade over the 1200m at Doomben last start. Has to rise 2.5kg here today, but that should be offset by the peach of a draw he has been given in barrier 5. Sticks to the distance, and Robbie Fraud jumps back aboard after being on him for the first two victories. This is a slightly harder race, but the key rivals all are drawn out and will have to work harder to win. Take the price!
