Blind Raise has shortened into the second favourite for the Caulfield Guineas following a decisive victory in a preceding event at Caulfield.

The three-year-old, prepared by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, was challenged early in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) on Saturday. It then had to fend off a mid-race advance before winning without being extended.

Sent off as the $2.40 favourite under the guidance of Blake Shinn, Blind Raise crossed the line a dominant 2-¾ length winner ahead of Tornado Valley ($19), with American Eagle ($5) a short-head behind in third.

Following the win, Blind Raise firmed from $11 to $4, placing it on the second line of betting for the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 10, behind Tron Bolt ($3.50).

Shinn commented that Saturday’s performance was a clear statement with the Guineas still three weeks away.

“He’s an exceptional horse,” Shinn stated. “I’m just delighted to get a win for Trent and Natalie. They’re great judges of horses. It didn’t work for the horse in the winter when they took him to Queensland and they’ve come back and he’s just got a real aura about him. We’ve got three weeks into the Guineas, and he was off a two-week backup into today off one trial into his first-up run. I’m pleased he’s got three weeks into the Guineas. Trent can do what he likes with him and it’s exciting.”

Busuttin noted that Blind Raise presented as a different horse heading into Saturday’s race compared to the one that secured victory first-up at Sandown on September 5.

“He’s improved a hell of a lot,” Busuttin remarked. “He’s such a relaxed, calm horse, and first-up off the back of one trial when at Sandown, he was sweating, he was jig-jogging, he was up-and-about, but today he was asleep and I knew it was game on.”

Blind Raise indeed had to be on his game, as he was compelled to work up the incline from the 1400m start, eventually settling just outside the leader, Alchemistic.

Subsequently, Ethan Brown, aboard Wolf Gap, initiated a move before the turn, intensifying the pressure in the race.

“He’s a horse with a good turn of foot,” Busuttin added. “When they whipped around and Blake was still sitting pretty on him, I was pretty happy. He will go into the Guineas without another run. It was a two-week turnaround without a break and it’s three weeks to the Guineas and then another two weeks … to the Cox Plate.”

For those looking to back the favourite in the upcoming Caulfield Guineas, exploring options at Australian betting sites could be a wise move.