Two Group One races across Sydney and Melbourne this week, and our form analyst has found some winners below.
Caulfield R2 #4 Port Albert $5.00 at PlayUp – Was very impressed with the 2yo prep of this horse, running a minor placing on both occasions behind two very smart horses at that time in Cannonball and Hell Hound. He arguably should’ve won on debut after setting just a touch far back in running, and Hell Hound has since gone on to finish amongst winners in city grade. Two jump outs leading into this first up run, and he has won them both in very fine style. He looks to have returned a more seasoned, stronger campaigner and can be winning here first up.
Caulfield R4 #2 Aft Cabin $2.30 at PlayUp – Think anything over even-money for this Godolphin runner is an absolute steal, as he looks to cement himself as a clear Caulfield Guineas favourite. He ran a very close 2nd on debut on a heavy track, and that winner has won again since. He then went to Sandown and belted them by 6L with a leg in the air, recording some extremely strong sectionals in the process. Last time out he dropped back to 1200m and finished behind Jacquinot, who looks to have come back as perhaps the best 3yo in the country. Fourth up here, peak fit, can handle any track condition and gets the step back up to the longer distance are all massive favours.
Caulfield R8 #4 Chain Of Lightning $2.50 at PlayUp – Very keen on the favourite here in the G3 How Now Stakes for the mares, and think she can go six from six to remain undefeated. All three runs this prep have been spectacular, beating quality fields in each occasion including in this grade last time out. She put close to 1.5L on them in the G3 Cockram last start, and the horses she beat as mentioned are no slouches. Fourth up here, can be peak fit and ready to win again, and looks to get a lovely map from a wider draw with J Kah retaining the ride. Struggling to see how any other runner in the race can either turn the tables or produce a new peak rating to beat her.
Randwick R6 #5 Zougotcha $2.10 at PlayUp – Angling for a different form line here to a number of the other runners who are coming through the North Star Lass race. This filly beat In Secret first up by close to a length and a half on the line, and that Godolphin runner has since come out and won super impressively and is a new favourite for the G1 Golden Rose. Since that win, Zougotcha has been kept up to the mark with a lovely Rosehill trial, and new returns here with the new booking of James McDonald who is riding in outstanding form. Looks well drawn in barrier five, and she looks a clear winner in my eyes.
Randwick R8 #1 Nature Strip $2.15 at PlayUp – Genuinely surprised our superstar sprinter isn’t an odds on quote at this moment, and i’m convinced by the time the gates open he will be. At around the $2.20 mark at time of writing, I struggle to see how any of the other horses can turn the tables on him having previously been well held by the champ. His Ascot win was phenomenal, and he has had a trial and a track gallop leading into this first up run to have him ready to go. Barrier two is ideal, track conditions should not matter, and I think he will be winning this comfortably.
