Caulfield Cup week starts on Wednesday with an eight-race card headed by the Group 3 Coongy Handicap. The track is rated a Good 4 after some irrigation early in the week, and the rail is out 13 metres. That is the same position as Manikato Stakes Day, and the inside lanes have some wear from that meeting. A light southeasterly should help horses racing on speed out of the chute.
Leonchroi in Race 4 is our strongest bet of the day. Swift Force in the last is a good closing play, and Emperor Tzu is our value runner in Race 6.
Race 1 - Magic Millions Debutant Stakes (1000m)
Selection: Maalefushi Current odds: $4.40
This Listed race for two-year-olds is mostly first starters. Maalefushi already has a run under her belt, a second at Flemington on a heavy track, and that experience counts for a lot here. She should jump and roll forward. Royal Press is the favourite on debut for the McEvoy stable and gets a good draw with a tongue tie on. The two Hayes runners, Soldi and Stone Skyrider, both trialled well at Caulfield Heath on 1 October, so watch the market on them.
Selections:
- Maalefushi - $4.40
- Royal Press - $2.40
- Soldi - $4.80
- Stone Skyrider - $10.00
Race 2 - Beverly Rooftop Handicap (1600m)
Selection: True Rebel Current odds: $3.70
There are several improving three-year-olds in this race. True Rebel broke his maiden well at Geelong and has placed every start this preparation, so he gets the nod. Hierarchy is two from two for a win and a place and won his maiden at Cranbourne, which makes him the main danger. Crudens Tycoon was beaten only a length and a half at Cranbourne last time and should get a handy spot. Written Empire won at Bendigo and has Craig Williams riding.
Selections:
- True Rebel - $3.70
- Hierarchy - $4.20
- Crudens Tycoon - $6.00
- Written Empire - $4.00
Race 3 - Henley Homes Handicap (1440m)
Selection: Loud Charlie Current odds: $2.90
Loud Charlie won first-up at Caulfield Heath and draws barrier 1, so he should lead with little work. On this track that is a big advantage. Stealth Of Night races without blinkers for the first time and has Dakotah Keane’s claim. He has placed three times at Caulfield and should settle close to the lead. Porter has shown early speed. Naina has placed twice at metro level this preparation and is a decent each-way price.
Selections:
- Loud Charlie - $2.90
- Stealth Of Night - $5.50
- Porter - $5.50
- Naina - $9.00
Race 4 - Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives Handicap (2400m)
Selection: Leonchroi Current odds: $2.70
This is our best bet of the day. Leonchroi drops in class after a fourth at Mornington, has already won this preparation at Sandown, and gets Blake Shinn. A 2400m trip suits a stayer who keeps fighting in the straight. Federer can improve on his poor run at Mornington and is the main danger at a bigger price. Fernao has four placings from eight metro runs this preparation and suits the each-way market.
Selections:
- Leonchroi - $2.70
- Federer - $7.50
- Fernao - $10.00
- Savisanta - $6.00
Race 5 - Stow Storage Solutions Handicap (1440m)
Selection: Jett Smash Current odds: $3.40
Jett Smash won strongly first-up at Flemington and trialled at Caulfield Heath on 1 October. He has drawn wide, but he has the speed to find a spot early. Buccleuch is the favourite and has won two of three this campaign, but he carries more weight after a flat seventh last time. Fundamental Nature has drawn well, has won at Caulfield before and is the most dangerous of the rest. Fiorenot is also coming off a first-up win here.
Selections:
- Jett Smash - $3.40
- Buccleuch - $2.70
- Fundamental Nature - $4.40
- Fiorenot - $7.00
Race 6 - Ive Handicap (2000m)
Selection: Emperor Tzu Current odds: $5.50
Emperor Tzu has won three straight, the latest at Caulfield, and at $5.50 he is the value of the race. Yauson is a short favourite, chasing a hat-trick after wins at Ballarat and Seymour, and drops in weight. He is the main danger. Xtra Rush resumes after five months and won first-up last preparation. Johnich has run third and second this campaign and could easily place again.
Selections:
- Emperor Tzu - $5.50
- Yauson - $2.30
- Xtra Rush - $10.00
- Johnich - $7.50
Race 7 - Sportsbet Coongy Handicap (2000m)
Selection: Darkbonee Current odds: $3.60
The Group 3 Coongy has a small field, so it is a race to bet lightly. Darkbonee finished fifth here last time while making late ground and now draws well, which should give him a better run. Ziryab won at Mornington and is the main danger. Sunset Park was close at Mornington on a soft track, drops back to a trip that suits him and has the speed to race handy. He is the each-way play. Air Assault also gets a good draw.
Selections:
- Darkbonee - $3.60
- Ziryab - $5.50
- Sunset Park - $9.00
- Air Assault - $8.00
Race 8 - MRC Foundation Pin & Win Handicap (1100m)
Selection: Swift Force Current odds: $3.50
Swift Force won fresh here last preparation after leading, and he won a trial during this break. He has the early speed to control a 1100m race on this track. Tres Magnifique has placed in both runs this campaign and has Craig Williams riding, so he is the clear danger. Verdoux has drawn well and can do better than his first-up run at Mornington, and he is a long price. King Tut also won a trial before this first-up run.
Selections:
- Swift Force - $3.50
- Tres Magnifique - $5.00
- Verdoux - $14.00
- King Tut - $8.00
