The Neds Lord Stakes headlines an exciting nine-race program at Caulfield on Boxing Day!
With plenty of quality gallopers engaged, there’s some terrific value to be found, and I am confident that I have unearthed some of it in my Boxing Day Races Tips below!
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
Neds Punters Toolbox Handicap (1400m) – 12:55pm AEDT
Tip: No. 1 Decent Raine
Decent Raine can return to winning form in the first at Caulfield on Sunday.
The Dissident filly charged in to score an impressive win in the VOBIS Eureka Stockade at Ballarat two starts back, and she only just missed in Listed company last time.
I like that she’s a few weeks between starts and she does look to have a class edge over most of these.
Frank O’Brien Handicap (1200m) – 1:30pm AEDT
Tip: No Bet
There’s virtually no form to study ahead of this contest and there are plenty of debutants prominent in the market.
I can’t find anything that I am particularly confident in, so I am going to stay out.
Joe Brown Handicap (1100m) – 2:05pm AEDT
Tip: No. 4 Bay Of Islands
Bay Of Islands has had just one start and hasn’t been seen at the races since October, but I think that she can keep alive her unbeaten start at Caulfield on Sunday.
The Exceed And Excel filly mustered and eye-catching turn of foot at Donald and powered away from some rivals who have since franked the form.
With even luck, I’m confident she’ll be in the finish on Saturday.
Dennis Hanrahan Handicap (1100m) – 2:40pm AEDT
Tip: No. 14 In The Boat
In The Boat takes winning form into the fourth at Caulfield on Sunday and looks capable of making it two in a row.
The Lindsay Smith-trained galloper is yet to miss placing in five trips to the races, winning twice and highlighted by his last-start effort in BM64 company.
This is a rise in class, but he has plenty of upside and can continue his journey through the grades.
Ken Sturt Handicap (1600m) – 3:15pm AEDT
Tip: No. 13 Americain Angel
Americain Angel has finished second at each of her three runs back this time, and I am going to give her one last chance to strike on Boxing Day.
The Americain mare has raced well around some talented gallopers this time, and she was only a length behind Little Miss Gutsaa at Sandown last time
She steps out this week in peak order and gets into the race well under the conditions.
Take It To The Neds Level Handicap (2000m) – 3:50pm AEDT
Tip: No. 5 Lyrical Lad
Lyrical Lad is chasing a hat-trick when he steps out on Sunday and I am more than happy to stick with him.
The four-year-old son of Roman Emperor stripped fitter with a couple of competitive efforts first and second-up before breaking back into the winner’s stall at Cranbourne last month.
He franked that performance with a bullish win at Pakenham most recently and this looms as another great opportunity for him.
Listed Neds Lord Stakes (1700m) – 4:30pm AEDT
Tip: No. 1 So Si Bon
I’m going to have something on the enigmatic So Si Bon in this year’s Neds Lord Stakes.
He has been the bane of punters’ existence throughout his career, but So Si Bon has still managed to pull off some impressive results, and he has typically been contesting tougher races than this one throughout his current prep.
He’s rock-hard fit, drawn a peach and we can have an each-way play at around the $8 mark.
Listed Christmas Stakes (1100m) – 5:10pm AEDT
Tip: No. 2 Ancestry
He didn’t meet expectations early in the spring and was immediately put away, but he know how good Ancestry can be, and I am more than happy to roll the dice at a big price in the Christmas Stakes ($19 at publish).
A favourite for the Group 1 Neds Oakleigh Plate here earlier in the year, Ancestry has picked off some nice races during his career, winning nine of twenty career starts.
He is a previous fresh winner, he has form around some very good horses and we can have an each-way play here as well.
Allan Wicks Handicap (1400m) – 5:50pm AEDT
Tip: No. 8 Blazerro
Blazerro gets another chance to win in the last at Caulfield on Boxing Day.
The Pierro gelding is yet to strike in three starts back this time, but he is also yet to miss placing, and he takes his place on Saturday following another competitive effort at Sandown.
With even luck, he does look to be up to the quality of something like this.
