CAULFIELD Boxing Day December 26.
OK punters you have had your day off and should be ready to go at Caulfield with the remote at hand for the cricket. Two black type races highlight a pretty moderate undercard on a firm 3 with the rail in Caulfield’s best position – 6m – in from 12m last meeting.
BEST BET: RACE 1 #6 NETHERFIELD
BEST VALUE: Race 8 #16 PRAVRO
Race 1: 6-2-1-5
NETHERFIELD is making the right progression after some patient handling by Mick Price. Out to 1600m at Werribee for a sound (not spectacular) win and looks ready for 1800m as steps to a BM78 (as a 68 rater). Doesn’t get any spoil at the weights but might get away with a little more potential than rivals. ANDREA MANTEGNA has been racing well but not winning – went back from 2000m to 1500m last time, better off here. GOLD FIELDS is an 80 rater and well in after claim, no luck Wodonga and pulled up lame.
SUGGESTED: NETHERFIELD to start the day a winner.
Race 2: 4-1-3-8
Have to be very forgiving of SERENADE THE STARS (who was $6 into $4.60) when it all went wrong here last time. The wet track was against GOODWOOD ZODIAC at Pakenham, goes around over the odds here. MY PSYCHIATRIST runs favourite and looks ready to win. MY NIKITA looks attractive off 52kg.
SUGGESTED: Go again with SERENADE THE STARS.
Race 3: 6-5-13-12
Tough race. Like TRANQUIL MISS who was very good overcoming difficulties at Sale, has been patiently handled and 6 weeks between runs no issue. RISING HOPE has worked into winning form and was tough at Bendigo. WINKLEMANN and SO SPLENDID have obvious form attractions.
SUGGESTED: TRANQUIL MISS will run over the odds.
Race 4: 13-1-2-4
Deep race and difficult to be concrete in thoughts when marrying up so much varying form. Going with Mick Price, SEE ME EXCEED was excellent on debut then spelled and recent jump out very impressive. Wary CAO CAO returning here as a gelding and has run well in good juvenile races. PREVAILING WINDS only beat three others at Mornington but shows good talent. ONEHUNDRED PERCENT gets blinks after hugely impressive (green) Werribee C1 win.
SUGGESTED: Tough race, but SE ME EXCEED the one to beat.
Race 5: 13-2-10-6
Again very tough but BELLA MARTINI was terrific on speed dominating at The Valley. Going to you give you few scares in running here. ROYAL FASHION was too keen in Adelaide in a tougher race las time. Better suited this grade. STREETS OF LIBERTY can improve off 3.1 lens behind OUR SEVIRA at the Valley. JOCASTA gave away a start (jockey lost an iron) and might be the value.
SUGGESTED: Safe option BELLA MARTINI.
Race 6: 2-5-4-1
PAYROLL was impressive winning the Eclipse last time (JACQUINOT BAY was solid 3rd) and reckon they the top two again here. MASTER RESET was back in winning form at Pakenham and most impressive dominating on the speed. Respecting MASTER OF ARTS fresh up from Adelaide Cup. Won this race 2nd-up last time year. Will put COLDSTONE in quaddie but not a fan.
SUGGESTED: PAYROLL looks the one again.
Race 7: 2-1-4-7
Sticking with THERMAL CURRENT who is absolutely ready to win, was good again in similar race here last time. Still only won once in 15 goes this track but Weir has him close to best. KEEN ARRAY runs best at Caulfield but difficult to catch for me as a punter. That said, this looks attractive race for him. MERRIEST has won 3/7 here – perhaps better at 1400m on pace – but freshened up since unlucky Tristarc Stakes run. LUCKY LIBERTY is going for back to back wins this race. OAK DOOR in quaddie also (blinkers back on).
SUGGESTED: Another crack at THERMAL CURRENT.
Race 8: 16-11-6-2
Wow – what a way to end the day. Any winner here is value! So best of those might be PRAVRO who gets Williams after two good runs in at the Valley. Will need some luck through traffic late but happy to gamble. BORD DE GAIN on the other hand should race on speed and freshened up since solid effort greys race Cup week. LAUCHETTI resumes and will be competitive on best form. ROYALIC has the outside gate but loads of speed (and its only one corner of course). Back in winning form.
SUGGESTED: PRAVRO at the odds.
QUADDIE
6-13
1-2-4-5-7
1-2-4-5-7
2-6-11-16
$100 for 50%
