Caulfield will host their traditional Easter Saturday program this weekend, with the highlight race being the $150,000 Group lll Le Pine Funerals Easter Cup (2000m), with the race being a launching bad to either the Brisbane Carnival or towards the Warrnambool Cup in a couple of weeks time.
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Race One (12:25) : Jack Elliott Handicap 1100m
Back Me: Best bet to kick off the day in Inkulu. I didn’t mind the way he looked in the yard prior to his debut at the Valley, and then in the turn, he looked to travel sweetly, but just got badly held up and baulked near the line and arguably should have won. Bigger track will be a big tick, and for mine, he has the race experienced horses covered, and I haven’t seen a threat from the trials.
Big Danger: Ms Mazzetti ran second in that Moonee Valley race Inkuklu contested, and like Inkuklu, she was quite green also, but I thought she had her chance and I see more upside in Inkuklu. Still, she is now on her home track and that is an advantage with these youngsters.
Roughie: Ready To Fight had one run here back in December and didn’t seem to appreciate the wet track when a battling fifth. Did win a recent Cranbourne trial in handy time, and should run well.
$650 Inkuklu Free Bet
Race Two (13:00) : Ernest Hillier Chocolates Handicap 1800m
Back Me: Plenty to like about the last start win of Synthetic at Sale, sitting wide all the way yet powered clear in the straight to win with plenty up the sleeve. Very promising colt who looks an ideal Derby horse in either Adelaide or Brisbane. Should just about take care of this lot.
Big Danger: Storm Approach ran a nice race first up at Warwick Farm behind Citations, then went to the Vobis Gold race at Flemington and from the wide barrier was sent forward and weakened out of it in the straight. He is better suited off the speed, which is what should eventuate here, and he is a stakes winner four starts back.
Roughie: Cafe Scientific was backed as if unbeatable first up at Yarra Valley but missed the kick, then did much the same at Sportingbet Park behind Reldas, who ran well here last weekend. Barrier manners are a concern, but if she puts it all together, she’ll be competitive.
$650 Synthetic Free Bet
Race Three (13:35) : Bill Collins Handicap 1400m
Back Me: Red Fez ( got home for our followers last start at Flemington, so I’ll stick solid with her again. I think the margin flattered her rivals, because due to circumstances, she was exposed a bit earlier than normal. She likes to be saved for the final 250m and unleash, and from the good gate, Dunn should smother her away and pounce if/when he gets the gap.
Big Danger: Gig flew home late to run a 1.8 length sixth to Spirit Of Boom in the William Reid, then went to Flemington and just failed to pick up Red Fez in a tight finish. Drops in weight, draws well and has a good record at Caulfield.
Roughie: Catered probably should have beaten both of the above tips in that race. She was completely luckless in the straight, searching for runs and getting chopped out on several occasions. Her day will come, but is frustrating to follow.
$650 Red Fez Free Bet
Race Four (14:10) : Geoff Murphy Handicap 1400m
Back Me: River Delta simply wins doesn’t she? Dominant last start win at Flemington, and ran sub 34 for her last 600m after doing some work early. Well above average filly who should be winning.
Big Danger: Leia was a top first up winner at Bendigo, then in three subsequent city runs, she has been quite good without winning. Ran well to get third behind River Delta in that Flemington, and should place again with normal luck.
Roughie: Fine Approach was excellent last start at Morphettville Parks, making up a stack of ground on a track which is well known for how difficult it is to take ground off leaders. She has always shown talent, and deserves a crack in Melbourne, and will be around the money somewhere.
$650 River Delta Free Bet
Race Five (14:45) : Bert Bryant Handicap 1200m
Back Me: Classy Jack has certainly been that this time in, winning four out of five and running a last stride second in the other. He is too good at the moment for the three year olds in Adelaide, and deserves a crack in Melbourne. Should press forward, more than likely lead, and take a power of beating.
Big Danger: The Quarterback raced alongside the best of the best early on in the Autumn, culminating in a flop in the Guineas behind Shamus Award, but he isn’t up to that level over that distance, so he was freshened up and bounced back to his best with a fast finishing third to Churchill Dancer at Flemington down the straight. He’ll be better suited around a bend, and the wide barrier should ensure he gets a clear run to unleash his powerful finishing burst.
Roughie: Consorting is bursting to win a race this prep, but he just doesn’t quite put it all together. Sprinted quickly to look the winner at Flemington, but couldn’t quite peg back Churchill Dancer. He’ll nearly go back to last and give the top tip a big start, but if there is pressure in front, this bloke will finish as hard as anything.
$650 Classy Jack Free Bet
Race Six (15:25) : Race-Tech Victoria Handicap 1400m
Back Me: Most intriguing runner for me this weekend is this kiwi sprinter/miler Natuzzi, who was sensational last Saturday over the 1200m here, coming from well back and sprinting very hard late to win, so the 1400m here will be no issue. He has serious Group l form in New Zealand and the jockey, Chris Johnson, would have a near full book of rides back home today, but is instead riding this horse, so that needs to be respected, but he is even more effective on top of the ground.
Big Danger: Really interested to see how Sistine Demon returns from a break. He was the real find of the Spring/Autumn, winning six of his past seven and finishing a narrow second in the Kilmore Cup in between. Drawn terribly, but there does appear to be speed around him, so Jamie Kah should be able to get a drag across somewhere and if that eventuates, he’ll prove hard to beat.
Roughie: Mecir was coming off a six week freshen up when he almost threw away the Newcastle Newmarket, but eventually got there on the line. Has since trialled at Warwick Farm, last week, and looked quite sharp. Best form is in Sydney, so that is the query, but he couldn’t be in better form.
$650 Natuzzi Free Bet
Race Seven (16:05) : Le Pines Funerals Easter Cup 2000m
Back Me: Best placed horse all weekend here I think in Mourayan. Two runs this Autumn have been fantastic. Narrow second to Fiorente in the Peter Young first up, then ran fourth to the champ in the Australian Cup. Drops to a thin Group lll race, and is only 5kg over the minimum after a two length defeat by the reigning Melbourne Cup winner at Group l level.
Big Danger: Our Voodoo Prince has caught a big impression in two runs on Aussie soil under the care of Chris Waller, winning brilliantly first up at Sportingbet Park then was equally impressive at Flemington, beating home our third pick. Can certainly win this if the top tip is off his game.
Roughie: Akzar was given a beaut steer by Rawiller at Flemington, but just couldn’t hold off the finishing burst and momentum of Our Voodoo Prince. Not sure if Caulfield is his track, but appears on target for the Warrnambool Cup and should tick over nicely here.
$650 Mourayan Free Bet
Race Eight (16:45) : Noel Rundle Handicap 1100m
Back Me: Sumakaray was probably ridden a touch too close to the tempo first up in that helter skelter 900m race on Albury Cup Day. Had to carry 60kg on a shift track also, so there were excuses. Tumbles down to 51kg here, drawn to get a lovely sit off likely leader Elite Elle, and she’ll be very strong at the end of 1100m.
Big Danger: Forget that Vatican went around last time out at the Valley in a 955m 55 second heat given he was flattened between runners and didn’t get a crack in the straight. Should be up near the speed, and is a very genuine horse who busts his gut every start.
Roughie: The pace should be very, very hot here so looking for a backmarker and Morant fits that bill. Races very well fresh, and at Caulfield, plus he is only a kilo under the over the minimum. He’ll steam home late.
$650 Sumakaray Free Bet
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Best Bet: Race One Number 1 Inkulu (Best Odds: $5.50)
Next Best: Race Seven Number 1 Mourayan (Best Odds: $5.00)
Best Roughie: Race Six Number 4 Natuzzi (Best Odds: $7.50)
Quaddie Tips (Races Five Through To Eight):
Leg One: 2, 4, 5
Leg Two: 3, 4, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13
Leg Three: 1
Leg Four: 2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 15
$50 Investment = 39.68% of the dividend if successful.
In the news:
Jamie Kah could have two reasons to celebrate if things go her way at Caulfield on Saturday.
The apprentice needs one win to outride her claim and also gets a genuine chance to land her first stakes victory with two feature race rides including in-form Sistine Demon in the Group Three Victoria Handicap.
Kah is on loan to the Mick Price stable in Melbourne after a successful start to her career in Adelaide where she won the 2012/13 premiership in her first full season.
The 18-year-old won on the Andrew Noblet-trained Sistine Demon at Caulfield at the start of February, bringing up the improving gelding’s fifth win in a row.
Sistine Demon was then beaten in a close finish to the Listed Kilmore Cup before bouncing back with a Listed win over 1400m at Flemington on March 8.
Damien Oliver has been aboard Sistine Demon in his past two starts but is riding in Sydney and with the horse on the limit weight for Saturday’s 1400m handicap, Kah was thrilled to get a recall.
“He’s been flying,” Kah said.
“When I rode him at Caulfield three starts ago he won really well that day by about three lengths.
“He’s definitely on the way up.
“Andrew has given him a bit of a freshen-up and he should be spot on for the weekend.”
Last start Newcastle Newmarket Handicap winner Mecir is favourite at $5.50 just ahead of Sistine Demon ($6) who has drawn wide.
Kah also rides last year’s South Australian Derby winner Escado who is at $41 in a strong renewal of the Group Three Easter Cup (2000m).
Kah was impressed when she rode the Matt Laurie-trained Escado to a second-up fourth in a 1400m open handicap at Sandown last month.
She is hoping he returns to his best over the longer distance after a last-start failure when he was beaten 10 lengths by Easter Cup favourite Our Voodoo Prince at Flemington over 1600m.
