The action of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival continues with a double shot of Group 1 racing at Randwick on Saturday but for Melbourne race fans Caulfield Racecourse is also host to black type racing this weekend.
We here at Ladbrokes are offering all the hottest racing markets for the weekend including across the bumper 10-race program at Caulfield that is headed by two Listed features.
The first of those for the genuine sprinters is the $120,000 Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) followed by the middle-distance gallopers facing off in the $120,000 Listed Anniversary Vase (1400m) to close out the card.
Both races have attracted classy fields and below we have a brief betting preview for the Bel Esprit Stakes, Anniversary Vase and a couple of the other feature Caulfield races for you to enjoy a punt on this Saturday!
Feature Races
Race 9 – $120,000 Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m)
Despite being nominated for the Group 3 R.N. Irwin Stakes (1100m) in Adelaide this weekend also, connections of four-year-old Gregers have opted for the Melbourne option. The talented mare heads towards the Group 1 Robert Sangster at Morphettville later this autumn but gets a chance at a Caulfield win first, the David Hayes & Tom Dabernig-trained daughter of Commands coming off a nice second to Platelet at Moonee Valley from March 27. Gregers also is boosted by Craig Williams and barrier one in the 16-starter field.
She faces a tough line-up on Saturday including Moonee Valley specialist It Is Written coming off a brave fourth in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at his pet track who heads the weights on 60kg, Robert Smerdon’s talented mare Politeness racing first-up, the Peter Moody-trained up-an-comer Runway Star backing up from a Listed win in Adelaide, and ace three-year-old fillies Sabatini who won the Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) here in February and Eloping.
Click Here for our full Bel Sprinter Stakes betting market
Race 10 – $120,000 Listed Anniversary Vase (1400m)
After attracting a massive 34 nominations the field for the Anniversary Vase has whittled down to a capacity 15 starters (plus four emergencies) headed by the Jason Warren-trained Group 1 winner Bel Sprinter. The veteran seven-year-old won the 2013 The Galaxy and his only win since was first-up last October in the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint (1100m). He comes off a disappointing second-last (13th) in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) as a 40/1 shot but this is an easier field and he gets a chance to stretch out to 1400m for the first time. Bel Sprinter has the hefty 60kg top weight to overcome though and also suffered a blow with a wide barrier 12 (possibly into nine) draw.
One of the two equal second heaviest weighted runners Amorino meanwhile carries 59kg and has fared better with barrier six for jockey Craig Williams. Archie Alexander’s Snitzel five-year-old won back-to-back Flemington races in March over 1400m before a seventh at Caulfield in the Group 3 on April 4 but has improvement in him with Williams back in the saddle.
Also with 59kg is Robert Smerdon’s ultra-consistent Under The Louvre who has run top three in his eight most recent runs. A superstar at Caulfield the Excellent Art four-year-old has won two from four at the track, running second in the other two, including his brave second when under a length off the winner in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) on February 28 here. His last start was a Mornington black type win over 1200m and the extra metres will see him flying home even from the extreme outside barrier in the big field.
Other notable hopes? Leon & Troy Corstens’ Darci Brahma mare Marianne has been in top form against the girls including her third to Noble Protector in the Group 2 Sunline Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley late last month, Victorian Handicap third placed Sistine Demon is a gun over 1400m (9-5-0-1), Peter Moody’s Manfred Stakes winner Mirage is lightly raced for his age having won four from five to date and is on the 54kg minimum and Gracious Prospect looks the improver.
Click Here for our full Anniversary Vase betting market
Race 6 – $150,000 VOBIS Gold Sprint (1200m)
A number of lucrative VOBIS races will also attract plenty of attention especially the $150,000 VOBIS Gold Sprint (1200m) as Race 6 (2:45pm) featuring returning sprint stars Trust In A Gust who won three straight at the track during the spring including the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) and the Mick Price-trained Worth A Ransom.
They face off against the likes of the Peter Moody-trained last start Moonee Valley winner Running Bull and Warrnambool mare Tycoon Tara after her third win on the trot having won back-to-back Group 3s at the track in February.