View Sportsbet.com.au‘s preview of the race below.
LANKAN RUPEE
Odds ($10)
Five-time Group 1 winner, returning from injury.
Why he can: Is the class runner of the field and would give his rivals a bath if he is right. Has trialled well at Cranbourne and has a great first-up record.
Why he can’t: He is coming back from injury and it is doubtful the work would have been poured into him. He has to lump 61kg and may need the run.
OUR BOY MALACHI
Odds ($5.50)
Former North Queensland sprinter, from the Hawke’s yard.
Why he can: He’s a winner at Group 2 level and rarely runs a bad race. Hit the line well in Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick last start.
Why he can’t: He’s an eight-year-old now and his best days are behind him and yet to race the anti-clockwise way of going.
FAATINAH
Odds ($11)
Lightly raced four-year-old gelding.
Why he can: Showed good speed and was strong on the line when won the Bobbie Lewis Quality two starts back. Went back to the Flemington straight last start and was disappointing behind The Quarterback. Gets a nice weight drop here.
Why he can’t: Having first start at Caulfield and has to jump from a wide gate.
WILD RAIN
Odds ($5.50)
Manhattan Rain mare, Mark Kavanagh trains.
Why she can: racing in peak form and has been freshened for this. Ran a super race to finish third to Extreme Choice in the Group 1 Moir Stakes. Winner this track and has the perfect gate.
Why she can’t: Hard to make a case against her.
HELLBENT
Odds ($2.05)
Darren Weir trains this four-year-old entire.
Why he can: Looks a promising sprinter. Won last two starts and comes here after a stunning 2.25 length win in a Caulfield Handicap. He was well back and finished powerfully to win eased down.
Why he can’t: Wraps are big, but still to be tested at this level.
GRANE
Odds ($67)
Trained at Cranbourne by Robbie Griffiths.
Why he can: Resumes from a spell and could surprise fresh, but not a lot of positives.
Why he can’t: Out of his league.
RUETTIGER
Odds ($21)
Damian Lane rides this gelding by Duporth.
Why he can: He’s a consistent gelding and returns after an ease-up. He followed Listed sprint win at Flemington with fourth to Sooboog in Aurie’s Star (1200m) at Flemington in August. He should be hitting the line hard.
Why he can’t: May need slightly longer than a 1000m and although fresh, these might prove too slick.
VIDDORA
Odds ($17)
Adelaide sprinter, trained by Lloyd Kennewell.
Why she can: Won the Listed Lightning Stakes at Morphettville and then pipped on the line at Moonee Valley. Trialled well last week, gets in with a light weight and should get a nice position from her good gate.
Why she can’t: This is her toughest test to date and may not be up to the class.
TAKE PRIDE
Odds ($41)
Experienced jockey Darren Gauci rides this Seymour trained mare.
Why she can: Difficult to make a case for her. She has had two runs since October last year in much weaker grade.
Why she can’t: Needs more time and something easier
ORUJO
Odds ($81)
Five-year-old gelding by Exceed and Excel.
Why he can: Track may suit backmarkers this week and this horse won’t be able to keep up early.
Why he can’t: Has been getting well beaten in easier races than this.
SUNDAY ESCAPE
Odds ($61)
Tommy Berry has the ride on the Sale trained six-year-old.
Why he can: In the money in eight of 15 starts and has won this track.
Why he can’t: A Benchmark 84 was his last win and he is another that faces a giant class rise and doesn’t look up to it.
MORE TIPS: View our Caulfield Cup day TIPS
Best Bet
1. Wild Rain
2. Hellbent
3. Our Boy Malachi
Value
Faatinah
