Caulfield will host Melbourne’s major metropolitan meeting on Saturday, January 8th, and nine races are on the program.
As we continue to gear up for another big Autumn Carnival, plenty of country’s leading stables are beginning to ramp up the workload of their stars, and several feature at Caulfield this week.
You can find my complete day preview and Caulfield Tips below.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
ANN KILKENNY HANDICAP (1000M) – 12:45PM AEDT
Tip: No Bet
Nine juveniles will step out in the first at Caulfield on Saturday and every single one of them is on debut.
I have little doubt that we’ll witness the beginning of a few quality careers, but I can’t find anything I’m confident in at this point, and I am happy to stay out.
JAMES HURLEY HANDICAP (2380M) – 1:20PM AEDT
Tip: 6 Salto Angel
Salto Angel was one of the country’s most well credentialled maidens until she finally broke through at Werribee last start, and I have a feeling that might have opened the floodgates.
Salto Angel finished second behind Personal in the VRC Oaks in 2020, but a win continued to elude her through her subsequent preps, despite her competitive performances.
She’ll take plenty of improvement into this race and I am happy to stick with her.
KEN SEYMOUR HANDICAP (1400M) – 1:55PM AEDT
Tip: No. 4 Russians
There is a case to be made for a few chances in the third at Caulfield on Saturday, including Russians.
Russians has made just two appearances since debuting last month, but she looks a handy type, and finished fourth on debut at Randwick-Kensington before striking at Canterbury.
Fitter third-up, this looks a great opportunity to transition into Saturday metro company.
MARK O’SULLIVAN HANDICAP (1100M) – 2:30PM AEDT
Tip: No. 5 Marine One
Marine One has gone to another level since transferring stables and he can win again at Caulfield on Saturday.
The well-bred colt has always hinted at ability, but moving to the care of Ciaron Maher & David Eustace really has brought him on, and he has won three of four for the stable; his only failure coming in Group 1 company.
He races well with his runs spaced and he takes his place in this with five weeks between starts.
RICHARD PLATT HANDICAP (1800M) – 3:05PM AEDT
Tip: No. 6 Misterzee
I concede that this is a decent rise in class, but Misterzee has been excellent on the country circuit this prep, and I think that he is a genuine each-way chance in what is a wide-open race.
Misterzee broke back into the winner’s stall at Geelong two starts back, and his takes his place on Saturday following another impressive all-the-way win at Sale.
He’s rock-hard fit and we can have something on each-way at around the $26 mark.
MARLENE ROGERS HANDICAP (2000M) – 3:45PM AEDT
Tip: No. 9 Excelman
I’m going to give Excelman another chance in the sixth at Caulfield on Saturday.
Excelman charged in to win the greys race on Melbourne Cup Day, but managed to beat only one runner home in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes.
He has since been freshened and I think that he could prove over the odds at $12.
CAMERON ROSE HANDICAP (1400M) – 4:25PM AEDT
Tip: No. 2 Open Minded
Open Minded can return to winning form third-up at Caulfield.
Open Minded has been a strong and consistent performer throughout his career, recorded seven wins and a further three minors from just sixteen starts.
He finished down the order in Listed company when fresh, but he returned a far better performance behind Second Slip at Flemington last time, and takes further improvement into this contest.
ANDREA MCKERLEY HANDICAP (1100M) – 5:05PM AEDT
Tip: No. 9 It’sourtime
It’sourtime is my best bet on Saturday’s Caulfield program.
He rarely returns a poor effort, and It’sourtime is unlucky not to be chasing a hat-trick of wins this week, having saluted at HQ when resuming and only just missed last time.
Fitter third-up and back to a track with a bend, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
AMANDA CHECKEN HANDICAP (1100M) – 5:45PM AEDT
Tip: No. 4 Cloudy
So far, Cloudy hasn’t lived up to expectations this time, but she looks like getting ideal conditions at Caulfield on Saturday, and should be ready to peak third-up.
The Frosted filly stamped herself as a galloper to follow during her two-year-old season, and recorded consecutive wins in Listed company in Adelaide.
She filled the minors behind Irish Angel at Rosehill when resuming, but beat only one runner home in a similar race at Randwick last time.
A return to this way of going and a dry track should prove key!