Could this be the best Group 1 race in Australia?
The outstanding quality of the six confirmed starters aside, we, the orange bookie, could not be more about the Neds Stakes.
Neds Caulfield Stakes – Winner
No. 6 Russian Camelot – Bet Now: $1.50
He has opened the $1.55 favourite, but I don’t think that there is one that can beat him in this field, so Russian Camelot goes on top of my Neds Stakes tips.
The Camelot entire was a dominant winner of the South Australian Derby at the end of his three-year-old season, and he has so far finished second behind Fierce Impact in the Makybe Diva, and comfortably won the Underwood Stakes this prep.
Fitter third-up, out to 2000m and in this miniature field, he’ll take a power of beating.
Neds Caulfield Stakes – 2nd
No. 2 Humidor – Bet Now: $5.50
The eight-year-old wonder continues to defy his age, and he looks a clear second pick for mine in the 2020 Neds Stakes.
He’s a multiple Group 1 champion and his career and record have been well documented; you don’t need me to repeat it.
Humdor’s career appeared to be over when he was transferred to the care of Lindsay Smith, however, but another chance in scenery, this time to champion trainer Chris Waller and more than brought him back on.
He won passage through to the Cox Plate with an incredible win in the Feehan Stakes, and he was less than two lengths from Russian Camelot last time out.
All of that is good enough to see him into second place again.
Neds Caulfield Stakes – 3rd
No. 5 Arcadia Queen – Bet Now: $4.60
This selection actually means that I am backing them to finish in the same order as the Underwood Stakes a fortnight ago.
Arcadia Queen has improved with each of her three starts this preparation; needing the run when fifth in the PB Lawrence when resuming, but finishing a head second behind the talented Pretty Brazen in the Group 2 Let’s Elope, at what was her only other appearance prior to the Underwood.
I’m interest to see what she does getting out to 2000m for the first time, but she certainly has the talent to run into the placings.
Neds Caulfield Stakes – 4th
No. 4 Harbour Views – Bet Now: $21.00
The three horses that we have remaining to select from are Gailo Chop, Levendi and Harbour Views, and while I don’t think that this bloke is as good as what everyone first thought, I think a fourth placing on Saturday is within his abilities.
The Le Havre gelding hasn’t set the racing world on fire this prep, but he hasn’t been awful either, and it at peak fitness for the Neds Stakes.
Neds Caulfield Stakes Suggested Bets
- First Four of the selections above