CAULFIELD
C.F. ORR (Race 9)
Mr. Brightside resumes off a top Spring where he went within an inch of claiming a Cox Plate. If he runs to his best, I think he simply wins this. Has shown in the past he’s a high-pressure beast and with the likes of Buffalo River and Pride of Jenni engaged, he can stalk a hot speed and finish over the top. Jumped out well and sure to be primed by Lindsay Park whom I’m tipping to have a big day. The three-year-old Veight certainly the danger. Looked just a win first up but I’m certain Moonee Valley isn’t his track and he rated well over the 1200m. Sure to be suited by the extra furlong and a horse on the up. Atishu one of mine and a horse perennially underrated by the market. Probably short of her best here but if they go suicidal in front she’ll be hitting the line
Backing – 1. MR BRIGHTSIDE
BLUE DIAMOND PRELDE (FILLIES) (Race 7)
Like I said earlier I think it’ll be a big day for Lindsay Park, and this looks just about the best bet of the day in the shape of Bold Bastille. Ran them into the ground on debut at the Valley, running time with a leg in the air. Has had the setback but the recent jump out looked good and will trust the camp to have her right. Should jump, lead, and prove hard to get past.
If there is a stalker it looks to be Flattered who was a good run on debut when back and wide chasing Eneeza in a slowly run race. Drawn well to settle closer in the run and better suited out in trip.
Backing – 1. BOLD BASTILLE & Saving 5. FLATTERED
AUTUMN STAKES (Race 4)
Southport Tycoon looks awfully hard to beat here. Smashed in the betting first up at the Valley where he savaged the line to only be narrowly denied by Veight who goes around a live chance in the Group 1. Gets D Lane from a good draw and suited stepping to the seven furlongs. Proper form around him from the Spring and looks to have come back well. Very keen and think black odds are good odds.
Backing – 4. SOUTHPORT TYCOON
RANDWICK
ESKIMO PRINCE (Race 6)
Just about the race of the day with several handy three-year-olds resuming. Can understand the early money for Caballus, with the form already franked from his first up win and a fitness edge on his rivals. Think hard to beat but not keen to take the price with the map and he did still do things wrong first up. Celestial Legend, I think is potentially the best horse in this race just not sure about the set-up. Just one public trial where he was ridden quiet (but was super through the line) so may be a run short but he’s very talented. The draw also tricky as likely to be back on the fence. Will wait and see how the track plays and how the market treats him but think he is the Randwick Guineas winner. Makarena is the other that interests me here. She raised the bar at every run in her first campaign and trialled up strongly. Will push forward here from the draw and I give her a big chance. They’re the two for me but a great contest this.
Monitoring betting but like 6. CELESTIAL LEGEND & 9. MAKARENA
INGLIS MILLENNIUM (Race 7)
Impossible race with the lightly raced two-year-olds and a number set to peak him chasing the big prize money. As such happy to play wider and having something small on the David Payne trained Rag Queen, who was brilliant when winning on debut at Canterbury. Got the tempo to suit but she savaged the line in meeting best sectionals and did it with some style. Trialled in the interim and drawn nicely with Collett sticking with her. Good value each way I think at the $21/$5.
Backing – 12. RAG QUEEN
LONHRO PLATE (Race 2)
Keen to take on Anode who looks awfully short. Beat nothing on debut and recent trials have been plain. Celerity takes her place here after Godolphin decided against the trip south for the Diamond Prelude. The fact they had her nommed alone speaks volumes and she was well in the market when scratched at the gates in the Widden last week. Wide draw to contend with here but loved her trials and looks to have some class about her. Castanya was the other horse who interested me. Likely to get back from the draw but she was very good when clear and chasing Switzerland on debut. If they’re coming down the middle, she can be in the finish. Smaller bets on Celerity and Castanya due to there maps.
Backing – 8. CELERITY & 7. CASTANYA
