Caulfield hosts one of the big days of the spring on Saturday, with three Group 1 races: the Might And Power, the Caulfield Guineas and the Toorak Handicap. The track is rated Soft 6, so form on rain-affected ground matters across the card.
Jigsaw in the Schillaci Stakes (Race 6) is our strongest bet of the day. Blind Raise in the Guineas (Race 8) is the value play. Sheza Alibi is the most likely winner on the card in the Might And Power, but at $1.35 she is better used in multis than backed on her own. War Machine has been scratched from Race 10.
Race 1 - Beverly Handicap (1700m)
Selection: In’Kantosstar Current odds: $4.00
In’Kantosstar has won three in a row this preparation, the latest at Caulfield Heath, and draws the inside barrier. That gives him the easiest run of the main chances. Veyepee is chasing a hat-trick of his own after wins at Mornington and Sandown, but he has to work from a wide gate. Just Desserts has also won three straight, though this is a step up in class.
Selections:
- In’Kantosstar - $4.00
- Veyepee - $3.00
- Just Desserts - $4.40
- Classic Gem - $12.00
Race 2 - Thoroughbred Club Of Australia Plate (1200m)
Selection: Sequinned Current odds: $3.20
Sequinned has two wins from three runs this campaign and has been consistent since coming back. James McDonald rides, and she drops in class after a fifth at Randwick. Fiery Fun won her maiden on a soft track at Seymour and has trialled since, so the ground will not worry her. Moana Spirit has not raced for 35 weeks, but she won a trial and has won first-up before.
Selections:
- Sequinned - $3.20
- Fiery Fun - $4.40
- Moana Spirit - $8.00
- Jacaranda - $8.50
Race 3 - Evergreen Turf Vase (1600m)
Selection: Savitri Current odds: $4.20
Savitri led all the way to win by more than three lengths at Mornington and draws barrier 1, so she should be able to lead again. She has won two of her four starts on soft tracks. Surfin’ Bird is the favourite and also handles soft ground. On Display only lost by a neck first-up at Flemington and is the other main danger.
Selections:
- Savitri - $4.20
- Surfin’ Bird - $3.50
- On Display - $4.20
- Astral Flame - $9.50
Race 4 - Herbert Power Stakes (2400m)
Selection: Shockletz Current odds: $6.00
Shockletz won at Flemington last start and his form has been getting better each run. The blinkers come off for this. Pinhole is the shortest in the market after a strong win at Rosehill for Chris Waller and is the obvious danger. Future History ran a close second here last start and is improving.
Selections:
- Shockletz - $6.00
- Future History - $6.50
- Pinhole - $3.70
- Zakouma - $6.75
Race 5 - Northwood Plume Stakes (1200m)
Selection: Point Barrow Current odds: $2.80
Point Barrow won easily here last start and has won more than once at Caulfield. She also has good form at 1200m. Bridal Waltz is the favourite and was only just beaten at this track last time, with three of her six wins coming on soft ground. This looks a two-horse race. Naifah is the best of the rest first-up.
Selections:
- Point Barrow - $2.80
- Bridal Waltz - $2.60
- Naifah - $10.00
- Abounding - $13.00
Race 6 - Schillaci Stakes (1100m)
Selection: Jigsaw Current odds: $2.40
Jigsaw is our best bet of the day. He resumes after leading all the way to win at Ascot last start, and barrier 1 means he can lead again without using much energy. The 1100m suits his speed. Rey Magnerio has a good first-up record and ran a close race at Ascot, so he is the main danger. Flying For Fun gets James McDonald.
Selections:
- Jigsaw - $2.40
- Rey Magnerio - $4.40
- Flying For Fun - $5.00
- Streisand - $14.00
Race 7 - Might And Power (2000m)
Selection: Sheza Alibi Current odds: $1.35
Only six runners, and Sheza Alibi has the best recent form. She won the Makybe Diva at Flemington, has placed at every start this preparation and handles soft tracks. She also gets 3kg from Birdman. The extra 400m is the only question. Birdman has a good draw and won here last start, so he is the danger. At this price she is better as a multi leg than a straight bet.
Selections:
- Sheza Alibi - $1.35
- Birdman - $3.80
- Treasurethe Moment - $11.00
- Kingswood - $14.00
Race 8 - Caulfield Guineas (1600m)
Selection: Blind Raise Current odds: $3.70
There is not much speed in this field, and Blind Raise looks likely to lead from barrier 2. He won the Guineas Prelude here by nearly three lengths, and the step up to 1600m should suit. Warwoven is the favourite after two strong wins at Rosehill, including the Golden Rose, and Rachel King has won on him before. This looks like a two-horse race. We prefer Blind Raise at the longer price, so this is our value bet. Tron Bolt has Group 1 form at the mile and is the best of the rest.
Selections:
- Blind Raise - $3.70
- Warwoven - $2.15
- Tron Bolt - $8.00
- Somethings Burnin’ - $31.00
Race 9 - Toorak Handicap (1600m)
Selection: Lady Shenandoah Current odds: $6.00
This is an open Group 1. Lady Shenandoah only lost ground late when fourth here last start, and James McDonald rides. She looks the safest pick in a race where at least five horses can win. Sabaj has better form than his last run shows and gets in with just 54kg, so he is worth a small each-way bet at $10. Regal Award ran well when third in the Sir Rupert Clarke and will probably lead. Changing Colours has won four in a row but is now up in class.
Selections:
- Lady Shenandoah - $6.00
- Sabaj - $10.00
- Regal Award - $5.50
- Changing Colours - $7.50
Race 10 - Hussler Stakes (1400m)
Selection: Harry’s Yacht Current odds: $5.50
War Machine has been scratched, which makes this race easier for Harry’s Yacht. He has strong form at Caulfield and should be fitter for his fourth here last start. Persian Spirit drops in class after a disappointing run at this track. Enxuto finished well for third at Flemington and will be coming from the back.
Selections:
- Harry’s Yacht - $5.50
- Persian Spirit - $6.00
- Enxuto - $7.00
- Regal Zeus - $10.00
