Black type preview: Caulfield

Alligator tastes blood again

Caulfield, $2,000,000, G1 Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas, 1600m

Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) has yet to have his colours lowered and he can crown all his hard lead-up work with further success here.

He coped admirably with a rise in class to take out the G3 Prelude and a similar performance would make him awfully hard to hold out here.

Daslasan (Dalakhani {Ire}) had to play second fiddle last time out and is a major talent, but a wide gate has done him no favours. New rider Nash Rawiller will have to call on all his experience to give the colt a fighting chance.

Kubrick (Shooting To Win) has been good in both of his appearances this spring and he too can be right in the finish if he has a little good early fortune from a tough barrier.

Ignore the unplaced run of Express Path (Wandjina) in the Prelude as he was wiped out by a fallen runner and a better guide to his chances was his previous effort when third in the G2 Danehill S. He can be a player at odds.

The well-related and lightly-tried Groundswell (Fastnet Rock) gave a strong account of himself in the Prelude last time and the improving colt looms as a major threat.

Flit a serious chance

Caulfield, G1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas, $1,000, 1600m

Flit (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) showed she was in for a good campaign when she was a strong second resuming in the G2 Silver Shadow S.

The Godolphin representative was out of the money in the G2 Prelude, but no notice should be taken of that as she was hemmed in all the way down the straight.

By contrast, Acting (NZ) (Savabeel) makes her own luck and completed a stylish hat-trick with an all the way win last time out. Her draw will assist her free-running style.

Stablemate I Am Eloquent (I Am Invincible) gives the Busuttin-Young combination a strong hand after she won the Listed Jim Moloney S. in fine style at her last appearance.

Missile Mantra (Smart Missile) will be ideally-suited to the step up in distance as will the consistent Southbank (Fastnet Rock).

Lyre (Lonhro) has yet to recapture the form that won her last season’s G1 Blue Diamond S., but she’s too good to disregard, while Emeralds (Sebring) was less than 3l off Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}) in the G2 Tea Rose S. and that’s a strong form line to bring into this.

Coming of Age

Caulfield, G1 Lamaro’s Hotel Sth Melbourne Toorak H., $500,000, 1600m

Age Of Chivalry (NZ) (He’s Remarkable {NZ}) is so consistent and he gave another bold account when runner-up in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S.

He is still well enough placed in the handicap to be a threat where the only question mark is the trip. He has yet to run over 1600 metres, but has won strongly enough over 1400 metres to suggest it won’t see him out.

Princess Jenni (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) finished strongly to win the G2 Stocks S. at her most recent appearance. She was second-up at The Valley so will likely strip a fitter mare this time.

Mahamedeis (Magnus) was an excellent second in the G2 Feehan S. before he won over 1400 metres at Caulfield and drops 4.5kg here.

Madison County (NZ) (Pins) is a dual Group 1 winner, but he has to give weight to this field and has drawn poorly. So Si Bon (So You Think {NZ}) is another who has handy form credentials, but will need luck from his gate.

Cliff’s Edge (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) gave a much improved showing in the Rupert Clarke and the extra distance will be in his favour.

At home at Caulfield

Caulfield, G1 Ladbrokes S., $1,000,000, 2000m

Homesman (USA) (War Front {USA}) was untested to win the G2 Feehan S. on his return for the season and followed up with a strong effort for second in the G1 Underwood S.

He drew wide on both occasions, but this time has an inside gate so won’t have to work as hard to race in or near the lead and he should take some stopping.

Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) is probably his main danger after returning to top winning form in the G1 George Main S. He is also unbeaten in two visits to Caulfield.

Black Heart Bart (Blackfriars) won the Underwood with a game effort and Gailo Chop (Fr) (Deportivo {GB}) was third with runs that belied their age and should again be very competitive.

There will be major interest in Danceteria (Fr) (Redoute’s Choice), who won the G1 Dallmyr in Germany last time out, and Suzuka Devious (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}). He was successful two runs back, but is coming off a last placing at Hakodate so he’d have to be taken on trust.

Cape Of Good Hope (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is another making his Australian debut after a third placing in the United States at his latest run in August. Upset G1 Makybe Diva S. winner Gatting (Hard Spun {USA}) was also solid when fifth in the Underwood and it is not hard to see him claiming another cheque here.

Trekking on winning path

Caulfield, G2 Schillaci S., 1100m

Trekking (Street Cry {Ire}) was less than 2l off Nature Strip (Nicconi) when returning in the G1 Moir S.

He will benefit from the outing and he has a good second-up record with two wins and a runner-up finish from five attempts.

The Bostonian (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) was trapped wide off an outside gate in the Moir and he will be more competitive here from an inside alley.

The form of Booker (Written Tycoon) doesn’t read that well, but this is a more suitable race and she has an affinity for Caulfield where she won last season’s G1 Oakleigh Plate.

Bons Away (Bon Hoffa) is rarely far from the action and he’s another who races well on this course, while Trekking’s stablemate Viridine (Poet’s Voice {GB}) also has a handy second-up record and might be the value runner.

Familiar sight

Caulfield, G2 Ladbrokes Herbert Power S., $400,000, 2400m

A range of international contenders step out here so it’s a difficult race to assess, but one we do know is Prince Of Arran (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}).

He ran third in this race last year before winning the G3 Hotham H. and placing in the G1 Melbourne Cup. He was third in the G3 September S. at Kempton Park at his most recent appearance.

Haky (Ire) (Muhtathir {GB}) has two Group placings from his last couple of runs so deserves respect, while Willie Mullins’ horses have performed well here before so True Self (Ire) (Oscar {Ire}) can’t be ignored.

Raheen House (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is a consistent type with his only blemish an unplaced run in the Ebor, but he does drop three kilos on that and his previous form was excellent.

Of the local-trained contenders, Steel Prince (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}) has been sound in both of his spring openers and third-up can be expected to be more competitive.

Love this filly

Caulfield, G3 Thoroughbred Club S., $200,000, 1200m

Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible) is an outstanding talent and returned from a grand 2-year-old campaign to win the G3 Scarborough S. It will take a mighty effort to lower her colours.

Anaheed (Fastnet Rock) is a quality filly and well-seasoned after three runs this preparation and she was only 3s off Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}) in the G2 Tea Rose S. in Sydney.

Athiri (Lonhro) has been freshened since last racing and has place prospects, while California Zimbol (I Am Invincible) was stakes placed last term and she’ll be all the better for her winning resuming run at Canterbury.

Don’ttelltheboss (Street Boss {USA}) was at long odds when a last-start fourth behind Loving Gaby and a repeat performance could see her earn a minor slice of this cheque.

Manicure a tidy chance

Caulfield, G3 Bass Straight Beef S., $200,000, 1200m

Manicure (Exceed And Excel) resumed with a strong win in the G3 How Now S. over this course and distance and will surely run very well again.

The Godolphin runners will be backed up by stablemates Resin (Exceed And Excel), who has a tidy second-up record, and Demerara (Commands), who also performs well off a fresh run.

Sweet Scandal (Sepoy) won well last time out at Randwick and this distance suit her while Embrace Me (NZ) (Shamexpress) was unlucky at her most recent appearance when denied clear galloping room in the straight.

Filly to pounce

Caulfield, Listed Inglis Debutant S., $175,000, 1000m

Pounce (More Than Ready {USA}) has had a couple of trials in Sydney to prepare her for this and won the latest of them at Rosehill.

Tanker (Pride Of Dubai) is the only other runner to have been sighted at the trials with a minor placing to his credit at Casterton. Stablemate The Big Easy (Written Tycoon) is out of a half-sister to the G1 Golden Slipper runner-up Oohood (I Am Invincible) so has breeding on his side.

Rock Of Kryptonite (Fastnet Rock) has a speedy pedigree and is a half-brother to G2 VRC Sires’ Produce S. placegetter Fling (All Too Hard) while Queen Of Rocks (Fastnet Rock) is out of stakes winning 2-year-old Dowager Queen (NZ) (Savabeel).

Go again with Renewal

Caulfield, Listed The Big Screen Weekend Hustler, $175,000, 1400m

Renewal (Dream Ahead {USA}) successfully resumed in the G3 Testa Rossa S. so he’s well placed here and is a second-up winner.

Rox The Castle (NZ) (Castledale {NZ}) is in super form and looks sure to be around the mark again, while Waging War (Rebel Raider) rarely runs badly and is a place chance.

Manolo Blahniq (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) isn’t always the easiest to follow and wasn’t sighted in the Testa Rossa. He has won twice with a run under his belt before so he’s a longer odds hope.