Dragonet dominates debate
Caulfield, G1 Neds CF Orr S., $500,000, 1400m
Last year’s G1 WS Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) resumes after finishing sixth in the G1 Melbourne Cup. He’s likely to get a desired slow surface, but has never raced below 2000 metres in 11 career starts. A recent trial victory suggests that he is forward enough to figure over this trip, en route to next month’s All-Star Mile at Moonee Valley.
Imaging (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) is one of Chris Waller's most underrated gallopers and with even luck from the wide draw, barrier eight, he can add a maiden Group 1 to his resume. Last preparation he finished 0.5l behind superstar mare Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) in the G1 Winx S. before finishing within striking distance of proven Group 1 performers Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) and Gytrash (Lope De Vega {Ire}) at his next three starts.
Lone 3-year-old Crosshaven (Smart Missile) meets his older rivals 4kg better off here. He’s proven at this track and was brave in defeat, when sitting three-wide without cover in the G1 Caulfield Guineas last preparation.
Godolphin holds strong hand
Caulfield, G2 Neds Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies), $200,000, 1100m
James Cummings presents a talented bunch of juvenile fillies here and dominant debut winner Arcaded (Street Boss {USA}) is the most intriguing of the three. The way she accounted for her rivals last month was impressive and, despite clocking figures below class average, she’s open to immense improvement second-up.
Cummings also saddles up the classy Picarones (Shooting To Win) and Telluride (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}), who both look ready to peak at their third career starts.
The Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained Tayla’s Moment (Shalaa {Ire}) presents as a key danger to Cummings’ trio and will prove hard to hold out after splitting G1 Blue Diamond S. fancies Dosh (Rich Enuff) and Frost Flowers (Frosted {USA}) on Australia Day.
Watch out for Bird Of Dubai (Pride Of Dubai) late as the progressive talent flashed home behind the well-credentialed Fake Love (I Am Invincible) on debut, before finishing a luckless second behind the aforementioned Telluride at Moonee Valley.
Warrior ready for war
Caulfield, G3 Neds Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G), $200,000, 1100m
Extreme Warrior (Extreme Choice) and Michael Dee will be out to turn the tables on General Beau (Brazen Beau) and Jamie Kah, after falling 0.5l short in the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) on Australia Day when he sat four-wide on a solid tempo.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Construct (I Am Invincible) takes his first look at Caulfield and if he can reproduce his debut effort behind R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Shaquero (Shalaa {Ire}), he will be a threat.
Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) nosed out blue-blooded colt Forbes (Capitalist) on debut at Sandown last November and has since impressed in a recent jump-out.
Jigsaw (Manhattan Rain) is no slouch either, boasting a 3.3l romp over subsequent winner Artorious (Flying Artie) who bolted in by 4.5l in a slick time at Sandown last fortnight. Michael Walker sticks and a recent trial suggests he hasn’t taken a backward step.
Worm wound up
Caulfield, G2 Schweppes Rubiton S. $200,000, 1100m
Greyworm (Master Of Design) can add a maiden Group 2 victory to his resume, in what looks like a winnable race for the Team Hawkes-trained gelding. He boasts three fresh wins from five attempts and is drawn to secure a dream run up on speed from barrier five.
Godolphin galloper Viridine (Poet’s Voice {GB}) is well placed here. The consistent 6-year-old boasts three fourth-up victories and is trending toward another off the back of three strong showings this time in.
Star South Australian apprentice Kayla Crowther has made the journey to Melbourne to ride the Phillip Stokes-trained Shamino (Shamus Award). The flashy grey will improve stepping up in trip to 1100 metres and can figure if Crowther manages to offset the wide draw in barrier 10.
Gordon Richards brings South Australian sprinter Garner (Barbados) across the border after a dominant trial victory at Gawler last week. The consistent 4-year-old was luckless in the spring and is a leading chance if he can reproduce a second placing behind leading G1 Oakleigh Plate contender Ancestry (The Brothers War {USA}) at Flemington.
Stablemates do battle
Caulfield, G3 Autumn S., $200,000, 1400m
Amish Boy (Star Witness) presents here after a second placing in the R. Listed Magic Millions 3YO Guineas. There he finished the better of star filly Away Game (Snitzel) and if he can replicate that effort, he’ll take a power of beating.
Stablemate Jet Propulsion (Rubick) looms as the key danger and maps to get a lovely run up on speed from barrier five. The only knock is his lack of race fitness, but on class alone this Group 2-placed 3-year-old can stamp himself as a leading G1 Caulfield Guineas prospect.
Boom gelding Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) returns after a gallant third in the G1 Victoria Derby behind Johnny Get Angry (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) last October. From the wide draw, barrier nine, he can settle back in the field and hit the line strongly.
The Michael Moroney-trained Poland (So You Think {NZ}) failed to fire in the G1 Caulfield Guineas last time in, but prior to that he accounted for Group 1-placed Grandslam (Myboycharlie {Ire}) over 1400 metres.
All eyes on Pinkham
Caulfield, G3 Kevin Hayes S., $160,000, 1200m
Pinkham (Written Tycoon) brings a great deal of intrigue after winning a recent trial by 7l. She’s only had one career start, but any improvement from her slick debut victory at Geelong in June is enough to be competitive here first-up.
Smart filly La Mexicana (I Am Invincible) is yet to miss the placings from six career starts and her streak can continue here. On exposed form she has the measure of her rivals.
Hindaam (NZ) (Savabeel) finished behind Pinkham in a Geelong trial, but claimed the scalp of clear second select La Mexicana last preparation.
Aidensfield (Dissident) might be the best of the rest, although race rival Parlophone (I Am Invincible) is seriously talented and a prospect if she does everything right.
Siska seeking Cup double
Caulfield, G3 Clanbrooke TS Carlyon Cup, $160,000, 1600m
Miss Siska (So You Think {NZ}) looks ready to fire first-up off the back of two impressive trial victories over 1000 metres. She profiles exactly the same as last year when winning this race by 1.2l and will be given every chance to make it back-to-back victories settling up on speed in a small field.
Trainer Grahame Begg could be rewarded for his patient approach with exciting staying prospect Nonconformist (Rebel Raider). The 4-year-old has returned for a spell in terrific order, finishing 0.3l behind last year’s G1 Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in a recent trial. He’s proven at this track with five top three finishes from six starts and thrives over a mile.
Nonconformist
The 2019 G1 VRC Oaks winner Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) comes right into this race with any sting out of the track and looks to get the right conditions here.
The ever-consistent Group 1-performed Best Of Days (GB) (Azamour {Ire}) has shown no signs of slowing down. He presents here six weeks between runs and has the class to be a threat
Probabeel’s All-Star audition
Caulfield, G3 Lamaro's Sth Melbourne Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes, $160,000, 1200m
Star New Zealand mare Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) returns to Australia for an autumn assault, after finishing a brave seventh in last year’s G1 Cox Plate. Trainer Jamie Richards has targeted next month’s All-Star Mile as her grand final and a strong showing here will all but assure her a start in the $5 million feature.
Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young have rising talent Sierra Sue (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) engaged here. There’s no reason to suggest that she won’t figure prominently here fresh, despite resuming short of her best distance.
Sierra Sue (NZ)
This race shapes up perfectly for Snapdancer (Choisir) who returns to Victoria after accounting for subsequent winner Tailleur (Shooting To Win) by 2.3l, prior to finishing 0.5l third behind smart types Krone (Eurozone) and Athiri (Lohnro) on the Gold Coast. Her race fitness, weight advantage and midfield draw, barrier four, looms as key advantages over her higher-rated rivals.
Bam’s On Fire (Universal Ruler) is a proven fresh performer who thrives at this track and trip. She went to another level last preparation and was rewarded with a third placing in the G1 Robert Sangster S.
Rising 8-year-old Humidor (Teofilo {Ire}) has found a new lease of life since joining the Chris Waller stable. The multiple Group 1 winner has only won once over 1400 metres and is yet to come out on top in eight fresh attempts.
Vic’s eye SA pie
Morphettville, Listed Holdfast Insurance Birthday Cup, $102,250, 2040m
The Matt Cumani-trained Declares War (Declaration Of War {USA}) bounced back with a 0.5l triumph in last month’s Camperdown Cup. He’ll need to improve to be winning here, but if he can deliver on his early promise victory wouldn’t surprise.
Lindsay Park gelding Sikorsky (Pierro) was only narrowly beaten by rising stayer Coolth (Dundeel {NZ}) over 2000 metres at Flemington last start. Expect him to prove difficult to run down if he can hold his recent form.
Local hope Farooq (Frankel {GB}) was a convincing victor at Murray Bridge last start and looks ready to reach a new peak here third-up.
Babies do battle
Pinjarra, R. Listed Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic, $250,000, 1200m
The undefeated Sniparoochy (Snippetson) will be all the rage after taking out a recent Lark Hill trial by 9.8l. He’ll be able to rail and box seat from the inside draw, before producing what could be a commanding display of juvenile dominance.
William Pike sticks with classy debut winner Michelada (Nicconi) and can produce a trademark winning steer aboard the first progeny of former Simon Miller-trained mare Coleta (Tale Of The Cat {USA}).
Ex Sport Man (Playing God) and Success Play (Playing God) can test the well credentialed Sniparoochy (Snippetson) with even luck. They both will be hoping that key speed influence Heavenly Waters (Headwater) strings the field out at a genuine tempo.
Iseered not slowing down
Pinjarra, R. Listed Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy, $200,000, 1200m
Gemma’s Son (Snippetson) meets Iseered Iseered (Safeguard) 2.5kgs better off here compared to last time out over 1000 metres at Ascot, when the latter finished the better of the two.
Despite having been in work for an extended period there’s no indication of him slowing down yet. The low draw is beneficial to his chances and with clear air at the top of the straight it’ll take a good one to out sprint this flashy chestnut colt.
Island Charm (Hinchinbrook) had the better of both aforementioned runners first-up at Ascot last month and can again go close again, despite meeting both rivals worse off at the weights.
