The Spring Carnival reaches fever pitch in Melbourne on Saturday when ten races, headlined by three Group 1 features are contested on 2021 Neds Caulfield Guineas Day.
Outstanding betting races materialise from the first and there is value to be plucked from each of the ten markets.
I’ve run the rule over the card, and you can find my complete 2021 Neds Caulfield Guineas Day Tips below!
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
12:15pm – Listed Magic Millions Debutant Stakes, (1000m)
Tip: No Bet
Another race full of two-year-old debutants kicks off Neds Caulfield Guineas Day and just once of the twelve confirmed starters has raceday experience.
Given the multitude of potential happenings in a race like this one, I am going to respectfully stay out with a view towards something further down the line.
12:50pm – Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes, (1400m)
Tip: No. 2 Buffalo River
I’m expecting a vastly improved effort from Buffalo River second up and dropping in class into the Weekend Hustler Stakes.
He hardly fired a shot in the Neds Sir Rupert Clarke when fresh, but his form last time in was competitive, and included some good results in decent races.
He is yet to miss placing at this point of his prep and I am happy to give him another chance.
1:25pm – Listed Neds Village Stakes, (1200m)
Tip: No. 1 Sansom
Lombardo has found outstanding form this prep and I can completely understand why he has opened favourite in Neds Village Stakes betting, but the $1.75 is simply too short for mine, and I am going to take him on.
This is certainly closer to Sansom’s level than what he has contested at his last two trips to the races, and I am expecting him to be far more effective on Saturday.
The Charm Spirit gelding has stamped himself as a genuine Group 3 quality horse in recent preps, and he won the Bletchingly Stakes over this route when resuming in July.
There’s $18 about him at publish and we can have a genuine each-way crack.
2:00pm – Group 3 Thorougbred Club Stakes, (1200m)
Tip: No. 3 Crystal Bound
Last-start winner Crystal Bound looks the filly to beat in this year’s Thoroughbred Club Stakes.
Crystal Bound has hit the ground running early in her career, recording two wins and a second placing from just three starts and taking out the Cap D’Antibes at her first run back this time.
She’ll only improve for that effort, and she is my best bet on the program.
2:35pm – Group 2 Schillaci Stakes, (1100m)
Tip: No. 6 Shaquero
Magic Millions winner Shaquero rates as a key winning chance in the Schillaci Stakes.
Shaquero stamped himself as a serious racehorse earlier last season, peaking of course with his stunning win on the Gold Coast in January.
He claimed the Pago Pago Stakes most notably in the autumn, and he returned a nice effort to finish fifth, beaten only two lengths by Wild Ruler in the Moir Stakes.
This is a small drop in class and he harbours plenty of upside.
3:10pm – Group 1 Neds Might And Power Stakes, (2000m)
Tip: No. 2 Zaaki
He has won six races in a row, including two at Group 1 level, he has fast become one of the standout racehorses in Australia, and Zaaki surely just wins the Neds Might And Power Stakes.
Check my full race preview and complete 2021 Neds Might And Power Stakes Tips RIGHT HERE.
3:50pm – Group 3 Northwood Plume Stakes, (1200m)
Tip: No. 1 Brooklyn Hustle
The Group 3 Northwood Plume Stakes has attracted a bumper field of mares, including Brooklyn Hustle.
Brooklyn Hustle has been a strong and consistent for performer for the Warren & Krongold stable throughout her career, and she arguably found her best form to date last time, in a preparation which was highlighted by a Group 2 victory in Brisbane.
She clearly needed the run when she finished down the order in the Moir Stakes when resuming, but I’m confident that that effort will have brought her right on, and the booking of Craig Williams certainly hasn’t dented her chances.
4:30pm – Group 1 Neds Caulfield Guineas, (1600m)
Tip: No. 2 Artorius
A capacity field of three-year-olds will contest the $2 million Neds Caulfield Guineas and there are several winning chances engaged.
I have put Artorius on top, but you can find my full race preview and complete 2021 Neds Caulfield Guineas Tips.
5:10pm – Group 1 Toorak Handicap, (1600m)
Tip: No. 2 Superstorm
The Toorak Handicap has drawn a typically open field of milers.
I have put Superstorm on top, but be sure to check out my complete race preview and 2021 Toorak Handicap Tips.
5:45pm – Group 2 Neds Herbert Power Stakes, (2400m)
Tip: No. 7 Floating Artist
Floating Artist is seeking a fourth win in succession when he contests the Neds Herbert Power Stakes, and I think he’ll take beating.
The British import faces a rise in class, but he has continued to improve with each start since arriving in Australia, and he destroy them at Sandown last time out.
He’s a smoky for the Melbourne Cup and I think he can stamp himself as one to watch in this race.