Darren Weir holds the key to this race according to punters who have made his pair of Platelet and Lohnspresso the leading chances in the G3 Heffernan Stakes at $4.50 and $5.00 respectively.

Their biggest danger, according to market, comes from Sydney visitors Famous Seamus ($6.00) and Pinwheel ($7.00). If Pinwheel were to be successful, it would give the Darley operation back-to-back wins in this race after Soul won this race last year.

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1. PINWHEEL – K McEvoy (12)

Fantastic old galloper who returned to racing off a seven month spell with a typically honest effort when fourth (beaten a long neck) behind Arinosa in the G2 Premiere Stakes (1200m). He then ventured south and lined up against Boban in the G3 Moonga Stakes. From gate seven in the field of twelve, he settled three back in the running line before making his move rounding the turn. A bit of a bumping duel with stable-mate Galah wasn’t ideal but he held his ground in the run home and finished respectable fifth (beaten 2 ¾ lengths). Hasn’t raced since, four weeks ago now and drawing the widest gate in a quality field will make it tough.

Odds: $7

2. HOT SNITZEL – N Rawiller (10)

The 5yo has returned to racing with two plain performances in the past month. He was assigned 60kgs first up in the Listed Caulfield Village Stakes (1200m) but as a 15/2 chance, more was expected of him than his ninth of twelve behind Complicate. It certainly wasn’t the type of run you’d want to see heading into a race such as the G2 Yelloglen Stakes but that’s where the Gerald Ryan trained galloper next headed. He finished tenth of fifteen and 3 ½ lengths behind Fontelina. Put in some smart efforts in good races last prep put his two starts this time in, combined with a wide draw make it hard to suggest he is going as well as he was during the winter.

Odds: $14

3. FAMOUS SEAMUS – T Clark (2)

Each of his three runs back this prep have been very good. He finished as well as Arionsa did when, second up from a spell, he ran a neck third to that horse in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes before, despite being assigned 59kgs, always being in control of the Listed Lightning Handicap (1100m), winning by ¾ over Ichihara and Rarefied (since ran third in G2 Yelloglen Stakes). Never far away in races like this but this is his first look at Caulfield and only second start the Melbourne way of going. Caulfield can be a tricky track for the uninitiated especially from an inside gate. Not so sure I’d be rushing in to take the 6/1 on offer in early markets.

Odds: $6

4. PAGO ROCK – C Schofield (8)

Just hasn’t put a foot wrong in his ten starts this preparation, which kicked off back in May of this year. The son of Rock of Gibraltar has gone within a length in his last three starts of claiming the G2 Schillaci (second to Unpretentious), G2 Caulfield Stakes (fourth to Spirit of Boom) and Listed Mss Security Stakes (third to Richie’s Vibe). This far into a prep, have to admit to keep waiting for his form to taper off but, at a track where he has won three of his nine starts; would have to include him in the mix again.

Odds: $12

5. VATUVEI – L Nolen (1)

It is strange to see this stayer from Peter Moody’s stables in a race such as this. He is a real dour type who is resuming off a twenty week spell whose two of his three career wins have come in races over 2500m and 2800m. No.

Odds: $126

6. IT IS WRITTEN – S Arnold (11)

It has been a successful carnival for this consistent son of Written Tycoon who, from five starts this time in, can claim the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1400m) three starts back. His two runs since that win have seen the Robbie Griffiths trained runner finish last in the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m) before, at his favourite track, Moonee Valley, running sixth to the in-form Vibrant Rouge (1200m). Carried 60kgs last start and despite stepping up in grade to this race, only has 1.5kgs less to carry and couple with the wide gate, would expect him to find this tough.

Odds: $26

7. AMEATHON – D Lane (6)

The now 7yo has struggled to recapture his earlier form since returning from a twelve months spell in March of this year. After finishing second to last in the Golden Topaz at country Swan Hill in June, the Al Maher gelding was spelled and returned to racing on Cup Day in the Listed Mss Security Stakes. He settled in a handy position initially before weakening in the run home and finishing near seven lengths from winner Richie’s Vibe. Has an impeccable record this track and trip and, will be fitter for having had the run last week but hard to take him with any confidence given his efforts this year.

Odds: $41

8. LE BONSIR – D Oliver (5)

He won his first two starts this preparation including the Listed Drummond Golf Stakes (1200m) before a career highlight when running third in the G1 AJ Moir Stakes (1200m) behind Samaready and Buffering. His last start was again in G1 company, the Manikato Stakes at his favourite track Moonee Valley and again, the Mick Price trained runner did himself proud to finish within 2 ¼ lengths of Buffering. Buffering has since won another Group 1 race and, with a good draw and good jockey here, that form-line stands him in good stead to run another bold race here.

Odds: $14

9. LANKAN RUPEE – C Newitt (4)

The speedy Redoute’s Choice gelding was Impressive winner when resuming from a nineteen week spell three starts back, when claiming a RST 78 (955m) by 2 ¼ lengths. He then ran third (beaten 0.6 lengths) in a BM 84 over the same track and distance before lining up in the Listed Earl Gray Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on Oaks Day. Together with the well supported Snitzerland, they led the field up the Flemington straight with Lankan Rupee (who had a 2.5kgs advantage over Snitzerland), sticking on soundly over the final stages and winning in a photo. A good draw here will see him up on the speed but he does jump 3.5kgs and 200m here on last start and these two factors could come into play late in the race.

Odds: $12

10. PLATELET – M Payne (7)

She claimed a pair of Group 1 races last preparation (Robert Sangster Stakes and Goodwood Handicap) before returning to racing with a pleasing fourth behind Kuroshio in the Mitty’s McEwan Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley. With that run and the additional 200m of the G2 Gilgai Stakes in her favour at her next start, she proved too good for a smart field and beat Spirit of Boom by ¾ of a length. The daughter of Strategic then was courageous under 59kgs when fifth in a blanket finish behind Spirit of Boom in the Caulfield Stakes. Her form is as solid as it gets for a race like this, she has won two from three this track and trip and if Payne can get some cover in run from seven, look for here to be finishing hard.

Odds: $3.90

11. SHE CAN SKATE – R Wheeler (13)

A speedy mare by Bradbury’s Luck who will no doubt shoot across from her wide gate to take up a forward position here. She started a well supported 3/1 when resuming from a spell two starts back but was a shade disappointing when sixth, beaten 2.9 lengths, behind Liesele in the Alinghi Stakes (1100m) here at Caulfield. It was a much better effort last start though where only the smart mares Dystopia and Shamal Wind were able to beat her home in the G.H. Mumm Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Oaks Day. She’ll lead and give them plenty to chase but from a wide gate and with plenty of speed drawn inside here, just wonder how much will be left in the tank for the final 100m.

Odds: $15

12. LOHNSPRESSO – B Melham (3)

Lonhro mare who had won three of her five starts when resuming from a seven month spell in the Listed Alinghi Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield two starts back. Under 59kgs, she settled back in the field but was hitting the line in nice style inside the final furlong and claimed third (beaten 1 ¾ lengths) behind Liesele. That effort saw her start a well supported 6/1 in the very competitive G2 Yelloglen Stakes at Flemington on Derby Day. Again, from well back in the field, she was doing her best work last and finished fifth (2.4 lengths) behind in-form Fontelina. From gate three and being third up from a spell, she might be ridden a little closer to the speed today and would not have to do much more on her last start, to be involved in the finish here.

Odds: $5

13. JOLIE BLONDE – S Baster (9)

The 5yo Testa Rossa mare has competed in four Group 3 races since her return to racing in mid-August. Unfortunately for connections though, she has been well accounted for on each occasion with her most recent effort, five week ago now in the G3 Series Final, being a eighth of thirteen behind Aerobatics. That’s the closest she’s been to the winner this time in and simply has too much improvement to make to be considered here.

Odds: $126

RACE OVERVIEW

They’ll scoot along here with She Can Skate and Lankan Rupee leading the way. Weir’s pair certainly look hard to beat here and only need an ounce of luck in the run to be right in the finish. Pago Rock ($10.00) and Le Bonsir ($13.00) are the value runners of the race for mine. Pago Rock’s form has been ultra consistent and could see him stalking the leaders and possibly Platelet into the straight and finishing well whilst Le Bonsir’s form references around Buffering – at WFA – are outstanding for a race such as this.

1. PLATELET

2. PAGO ROCK

3. LE BONSIR

4. LOHNSPRESSO