Sal’s Preview 2025 – Track Time: Caulfield Guineas Day

Greetings All,

 

Sal participating in Fashions on the Field, Turnball Stakes Day

 

Geelong makes an ambit offer of three first round picks for Charlie Curnow, the Suns are keen to get Christian Petracca but aren’t prepared to put players on the table and Hawthorn are yet to offer anything realistic for Zac Merrett.  How highly do they rate their trade targets?  Perhaps it should also be a sign to Charlie, Christian and Zac that as good as they believe they are, the competition does not entirely agree.   If they are going to make a difference at their destination clubs those clubs must pay the price, taking players “off the table” indicates they are not that serious about making the trade and are happy with their current lot.  The Blues, Demons and Bombers must demand fair compensation for their stars or hold them to the contracts they signed in good faith.

 

Completely off topic the spring carnival got off to a magnificent start last weekend with the Turnbull Stakes meeting.  So much so that this scribe was approached to compete in Fashions on the Field.  Suspect they needed to make up the numbers!  Being knocked out early allowed us to focus back on the racing.  Not exactly my go but fun to be part of – once!

 

Track Time

 

Caulfield

 

While it was a lovely day at headquarters it was not as good on the punt, but we should have learnt a bit.  Is Via Sistina done – or is there enough in the tank for the Cox Plate?  This week is Caulfield Guineas Day at Caulfield.  The feature is often known as the stallion maker, but plenty of incomplete articles have won the race and the odd filly also.  Has also thrown up plenty of longshots such as Econsul, Mighty Boss, Griff, Abaridy and more.  The track should be in great order with the rail in the true position.  Very wary of the windy conditions that have been blowing my golf ball around lately.  If they are running into a headwind and looking for cover, the pace will be muddling and punting a tough proposition.

 

Odd to have benchmark racing on such a program but it is what we kick off with.  An open affair where nothing would surprise but picking out Mr Verse (R1, #2).  Comes back to a suitable distance and has a good strike rate.  Backing up on Vivid Sun (R2, #7) in the Thoroughbred Club, just got overrun late in her previous start sitting too close to the pace.  Very wary of Point Barrow (R2, #5) off a great run at the Valley last start.  

 

Race 3 – Herbert Power Stakes(G2, 2400m, HCP)

 

A ticket into next week’s Caulfield Cup is up for grabs here with four of the field requiring a win to guarantee a start.  Reckon they might be out of luck against Whisky on the Hill (5) who takes a step up in grade but is now 3 from 4 over 2400m.  Probably would have had Young Werther (3) on top after a slashing finish two starts back but failed to finish off in the Turnbull last week.  Some chance if you give him a mulligan but still to tick off the 2400m box also.  The distance challenge also applies to the favourite Plymouth (9) yet to be tried at the range but looks progressive enough and give some hope to Scary (10) placed in the Derby last year and gets some weight relief over a second to the top pick last start.

 

Selections 5-3-9-10

 

Race 4 – Catanagh Vase (G3, 1600m, 4YO+ Mares SWP)

 

The strike rate of Sea What I See (6) is hard to ignore and comes off a last start win, might be looking for a bit further but looks well up to these.  JMac on board Molly Bloom (4) gave her a great run in the Stocks, could this be the race that gets her on the board for the first time in over 600 days?  Oh Too Good (5) has not quite been that in her last couple but clearly has the talent here and Pondalowie (12) backs up off a great run down the straight last week.

 

Selections 6-4-5-12

 

The Weekend Hussler will see King Zephyr (R5, #8) go around as a popular favourite, if you don’t like the red ink then Snow Patrol (R5, #7) is an interesting runner.  Off the scene for over a year but 2 from 3 fresh.

 

Race 6 – Might and Power Stakes (G1, 2000m, WFA)

 

With the Cox Plate or Caulfield Cup on the agenda for the key runners this could turn out to be as farcical as the Makybe Diva with only four runners it is not worthy of Group One status.  Globe (4) should get an easy lead and if can get a similar picnic as Mr Brightside did he may be hard to catch.  But catch them they have at his last two and Treasurethe Moment (5) and Buckaroo (2) are a grade or two above that lot.  Thinking the mare needed that run in the Feehan and should be back close to her best, if she’s not quite there then the gelding almost held out Sir Delius last start so that is more than good enough for this.  Leaving Hezashocka (3) to make up the numbers..

 

Selections – 5-2-4-3

 

Race 7 – Toorak Handicap (G1, 1600m, HCP)

 

Sepals (5) could not have been more impressive in the Rupert Clarke and must be a great chance here despite the extra 5kg to carry.  Great winning record has to be respected.  It’s a big handicap so we need to look at the bottom of the weights and Athanatos (11) looks a great chance, the inside barrier is some concern but trust C Williams will have some plan to put him right in the race.  Lazzura (7) was impressive in the Let’s Elope, JMac aboard, good barrier, good chance.  Zahra stays aboard the Queenslander Transatlantic (6), has been running well here and they have been winning everything else from up there so why not the Toorak!

 

Selections – 5-11-7-6

 

Race 8 – Caulfield Guineas (G1, 1600m, 3YO SW)

 

Till last start could see no reason to jump off Vinrock (3).  Another tardy start probably blows his chance but happy to trust Matt Laurie and M Zahra to get it right.  Would still need a good steer but has always been the Guineas pick since the Sires at Flemington early in the year.  Wodeton (2) has always been on the radar since a blistering debut win but has not delivered since despite some very good performances, also some question about the Sydney horses getting around this circuit for the first time.  C Maher is a master of training for the moment and has Navy Pilot (8) primed for this while CJ Waller is pretty good with his timing too so Autumn Boy (9) must be considered, a concern on the inside barrier and also first time at the Heath.

 

Selections – 3-2-8-9

 

Race 9 – Schillaci Stakes (G2, 1100m, WFA)

 

With slots still available a run in the Everest could be on the cards for a good run here.  Of most interest is a previous Everest winner in Giga Kick (1), hasn’t reproduced to those heights but trialled well and his best wins.  That trial also featured Tropicus (6) and Niance (9) and they crossed the line together, reckon the former has the advantage with the draw.  They are both undefeated over the journey.  Benedetta (7) is a big watch resuming under the guidance of the Maher stable, any give in the track brings another Maher runner in  Nadal (4) into the picture

 

Selections – 1-6-9-7

 

The mares close out the day in the Northwood Plume and keen to see the return of Coeur Volante (R10, #2), she has a great record here but this may be a bit short.  Ameena (R10, #1) has plenty of weight to carry but has been competitive in G1 sprints so looks well placed in this grade.

.

Quaddie Time

 

No free hits with the Might and Power not in the quaddie so we need to go wide and hope for a split.

 

Leg 1 – 3, 5, 6, 7, 11

Leg 2 – 2, 3, 4, 8, 9

Leg 3 – 1, 4, 6, 7, 9

Leg 4 – 1, 2

 

300 Combinations, a $30 winning investment will return 10% of the dividend.

 

Go the Rock!

 

Cheers, Sal

 

 

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