CAULFIELD STAKES 2019 PREVIEW
CAULFIELD RACE 7 – 15:50 AEDT
OPEN GROUP 1
2000m
$1,000,000
GOOD 4
Rail TRUE entire
| # | Form | Horse | Trainer | Jockey (barrier) | Weight (kg) | Current Price |
| 1 | 0x801 | BLACK HEART BART | L SMITH | B RAWILLER (9) | 59.0 | $17 |
| 2 | 42x03 | GAILO CHOP | M WILLIAMS | D OLIVER (1) | 59.0 | $11 |
| 3 | 3x000 | HUMIDOR | C MAHER & D EUSTACE | J ALLEN (4) | 59.0 | $27 |
| 4 | 8010x | SUZUKA DEVIOUS | M HASHIDA | M J DEE (3) | 59.0 | $81 |
| 5 | 1x421 | AVILIUS | JAMES CUMMINGS | K MCEVOY (7) | 59.0 | $2.30 |
| 6 | 9x006 | HARLEM | D & B HAYES & T DABERNIG | D DUNN (5) | 59.0 | $34 |
| 7 | 72x12 | HOMESMAN | LIAM HOWLEY | B MELHAM (2) | 59.0 | $4 |
| 8 | 22515 | GATTING | D AULIFFE | JAMIE KAH (11) | 59.0 | $19 |
| 9 | 1050x | DREAM CASTLE | S SUROOR | P J COSGRAVE (10) | 59.0 | $13 |
| 10 | 3141x | DANCETERIA | D MENUISIER | J P SPENCER (8) | 59.0 | $7 |
| 11 | 4083x | CAPE OF GOOD HOPE | D & B HAYES & T DABERNIG | M ZAHRA (6) | 56.5 | $21 |
OVERVIEW
The Caulfield Stakes looks set to be one of, if not the race of the day at Caulfield with a quality field assembled once again. Black Heart Bart wound back the clock last start to take out the Group 1 Underwood Stakes at an enormous price but faces stiff opposition here against the likes of Avilius, Homesman and Gailo Chop. Benbatl took out this race last year.
SPEED MAP
A strong tempo is ensured here with Gailo Chop and Homesman drawing barriers 1 and 2 respectively. Behind them we might see the dour Gatting prominent from the wide gate along with Black Heart Bart and Harlem. Avilius draws a middle barrier and should get a decent run in transit.
KEY RUNNERS
- GAILO CHOP ($11)
Won this race two years back in a great frontrunning performance and is in the mix to do so again here. Was coming off a 518 day spell first up and looked to need the run, however last start was improved markedly to finish within 2L of Black Heart Bart. His prep prior to the long spell was super. Gets to his favourite distance here and looks one of the main chances.
- AVILIUS ($2.30)
Avilius was knocking on the door for a win this prep after finishing fourth and second behind Samadoubt to begin the prep. He was last rounding the turn but was able to unleash his customary sprint to finish over the top of them in dominant fashion last start. Looks a deserved favourite and will take a good run to beat him.
- HOMESMAN ($4)
Endured a tough run last start in the Underwood Stakes, getting stuck out 3 wide with no cover at times but still managed to stick on solidly to almost win. Prior to that was first up off a long spell and won impressively at Group 2 level. Up to 2000m should suit and looks another one right in the mix.
BLUEY’S PICK
- GAILO CHOP ($11)
Avilius looks extremely hard to beat here coming off his last start performance, however he looks a touch short at the current quote and there looks to be value around him with Gailo Chop. Will improve greatly third up after resuming from a long spell and the jump to his favourite distance will suit. The veteran will lead them along and will take some catching in the straight.
