CAULFIELD STAKES 2020 PREVIEW
3YO+ OPEN
2000m
$1,000,000
SOFT 5
Rail TRUE entire
| # | Form | Horse | Trainer | Jockey (barrier) | Weight (kg) | Current Price |
| 1 | 00x04 | GAILO CHOP | M WILLIAMS | D YENDALL (3) | 59.0 | $23 |
| 2 | 85x12 | HUMIDOR | C WALLER | C WILLIAMS (1) | 59.0 | $6 |
| 3 | 58x03 | LEVENDI | P GELAGOTIS | J MASKIELL (2) | 59.0 | $51 |
| 4 | 14x36 | HARBOUR VIEWS | M WILLIAMS | J ALLEN (6) | 59.0 | $23 |
| 5 | 5x523 | ARCADIA QUEEN | G & A WILLIAMS | W PIKE (5) | 57.0 | $4.80 |
| 6 | 11x21 | RUSSIAN CAMELOT | D O'BRIEN | D OLIVER (4) | 56.5 | $1.50 |
OVERVIEW
A small but quality field lines up here, and it ranges from aging Group 1 winners to up & coming 3 year old superstars, which should make for an interesting race. Russian Camelot is well in the red figures and dominates the early betting, however will face stiff competition from Arcadia Queen and Humidor, who both have Group 1 victories on their resume.
SPEED MAP
Small field, and each runner should get their chance here. Gailo Chop should ensure that there is a solid tempo up front and he should lead from Levendi. Arcadia Queen and Harbour Views should be the next two. Russian Camelot and Humidor should be at the tail.
KEY RUNNERS
- HUMIDOR ($6)
The old dog showed he still had some new tricks, scoring a brilliant first up win at Caulfield over an unsuitable 1600m. He showed that it was not just a one-off performance, following it up with a great run behind Russian Camelot in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes, sitting second last at the 600m before charging home into second place. He’ll be primed third up at 2000m and looks the top challenger to Russian Camelot.
- ARCADIA QUEEN ($4.80)
Also comes through the Group 1 Underwood last start, putting in a solid performance behind Russian Camelot. He sat behind the leaders and loomed but was quickly put to the sword by the winner. It’s hard to see him reversing that result, but he should have the advantage of being slightly ahead rounding the turn.
- RUSSIAN CAMELOT ($1.50)
The sky's the limit for Russian Camelot, bolting in last start and proving (if he hadn’t already) that he is well and truly Group 1 calibre. The writing was on the wall after he sat four wide first up and was only beaten a lip by the talented Fierce Impact. He should be suited at 2000m and can improve again off his last start performance.
BLUEY’S PICK
- HUMIDOR ($6)
The thought of Russian Camelot potentially improving on his last start victory is a scary one, and he is no doubt a deserving favourite that can win by 4 lengths plus. He doesn’t entertain me at the odds however, so I’m siding with Humidor, who looks nearly back to his best and has matched it with the best in the past. He’s back to 2000m - the distance he nearly beat Winx in the Cox Plate a few years back. He hit the line strongly last start and maybe he can run well again here.
