The action kicks up yet another gear at Caulfield on 2022 Chairman’s Stakes Day!
Some of the country’s best gallopers will be ridden by some of the country’s best jockeys, as some of the country’s best stables continue to gear up for the autumn on Chairman’s Stakes Day.
I’ve delved deep into the form of every galloper engaged, and you can find my complete 2022 Chairman’s Stakes Day Tips below.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
John Moule Handicap (1400m) – 12:40pm AEDT
Tip: No. 1 El Patroness
You need only look at the field for the first on Chairman’s Stakes Day to know we’re starting to get into the series autumn programs, and there are some talented fillies engaged in this 1400m contest, including El Patroness.
El Patroness enjoyed an impressive debut prep during the recent Spring Carnival, breaking her maiden at Listed level most notably before only just missing in the Group 3 Neds Classic.
Her debut effort was eye-catching and saw her make up plenty of ground against the pattern of the day, and she has reportedly flourished in her time away from the track, so I am happy to roll the dice with a small bet at the $9 about her at publish.
Robert Hunter Handicap (1800m) – 1:15pm AEDT
Tip: No. 11 Worthily
He finished midfield, but it’s also fair to say that Worthily didn’t have the best of luck at his Australian debut, and I am happy to give him another chance on Chairman’s Stakes Day.
The five-year-old son of Point Of Entry stamped himself as a galloper to follow during his brief time in the UK, winning over 2012m at Newbury and stepping out in the Epsom Derby most notably.
He did plenty right at Flemington in his first start for Ciaron Maher & David Eustace last month, and I’m expecting plenty of improvement for the hit-out.
Neds Bet Live Handicap (2400m) – 1:50pm AEDT
Tip: No. 7 Salto Angel
Salto Angel has been a model of consistency this time, and I am happy to stick with her at the mile and a half this weekend.
The daughter of Sacred Falls was unable to break her maiden during her first few racing preps, but she was still a standout performer, and she famously finished second behind Personal in a VRC Oaks.
She did manage to get the monkey off her back second-up at Werribee this time, and she has since placed in tougher races here at Caulfield and at The Valley.
She steps out this week in peak order, the trip is ideal, and D. Oliver is in some blistering form of his own.
Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (1000m) – 2:25pm AEDT
Tip: No. 4 Renosu
It’s one of the key form indicators for this month’s Neds Blue Diamond, and it has been won by the likes of Extreme Choice on the way to success in that Group 1 feature.
Who will join the illustrious list of Chairman’s Stakes winners this year? I think that it will be Renosu.
Renosu made two appearances at the races during the Spring Carnival, finishing third on debut in the Debutant Stakes and only just missing in the Maribyrnong Plate on Cup Day.
Granted, there isn’t a lot of exposed form to study here, but I have certainly seen enough from this well-bred colt to install confidence, and I’m happy to dive in at the $3 quote.
Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) – 3:05pm AEDT
Tip: No. 6 Unflinching
Early Manfred Stakes betting favourite Paulele is a dual acceptor, and given that I think he will instead run in Sydney, I’m going to stick with the undefeated Unflinching in this contest.
Unflinching has had three career starts for as many wins, and he returned to the races for a comfortable triumph in BM70 company at The Valley a fortnight ago.
This is a rise in class, but he harbours plenty of improvement, and Group 3 level certainly doesn’t look beyond him.
Herald Sun Handicap (1400m) – 3:45pm AEDT
Tip: No. 6 Witchfulthinking
Witchfulthinking’s condition gave out following a tough run on the pace here first-up, but I am expecting plenty of improvement for that effort, the 1400m is ideal, and she will relish a drop in grade.
The War Chant mare was a consistent performer in similar races to this one last time in, and she was unlucky not to salute in Saturday company when a close second behind the talented Snickerdoodledandy at Flemington most notably.
She has missed placing at this point of her preparation only once in four previous attempts, and she’ll be in this for a long way.
Mal Seccull Handicap (1800m) – 4:25pm AEDT
Tip: No. 5 Pancho
This looks to be a pretty open contest with several key winning chances, and I am going to give Pancho another chance third-up, and out to an appropriate trip.
He famously upset Russian Camelot during their three-year-old season, and while Pancho hasn’t gone close to scaling the heights of that horse, he has returned some nice efforts in some decent races along the way.
So far this time he has finished down the order in a couple of races at Flemington, but I think that this race looks perfect for him, and he maps well under Craig Williams.
Quayclean Handicap (1100m) – 5:05pm AEDT
Tip: No. 12 Capriccio
She has been solid in some good races since resuming this time, and Capriccio strikes a very winnable one at Caulfield on Chairman’s Stakes Day.
The I Am Invincible mare finished fifth in each of her first two starts back, including the Kensington Stakes, and she takes her place in this contest three weeks between runs, and following an eye-catching fourth in the Group 3 Standish Handicap.
So long as she holds her form, she’s certainly good enough to win.
Premier Signs Handicap (1600m) – 5:40pm AEDT
Tip: No. 2 Tuvalu
Tuvalu has opened at even money in betting for the last on Chairman’s Stakes Day, and for good reason.
The Kermadec gelding has made six appearances at the races since debuting in January last year and is yet to turn in a poor effort, winning four times and finishing second behind I’m Thunderstruck on the other two occasions.
He returned from a spell to record a dominant win at The ‘Bool last month, and while this is obviously harder, he proved that he is more than up to the class last time.
With any improvement, he’s in line to give them all windburn again.