A capacity field of two-year-olds will step out in the first and three will be on debut. Super Seth recorded an impressive win at Ballarat on debut and on exposed form he does look the one to beat, but he has already been backed into odds-on favouritism. I am happy to watch this group go around, with a view towards something later.
No Bet
Renewal has returned two fair efforts this time and looks tough to beat third-up at Caulfield on Saturday. The Dream Ahead gelding was too good for his rivals in a 1200m dash at Randwick early last month and while he did plenty wrong at Bendigo a fortnight ago, he still finished off well for fourth. He’s drawn to receive a beautiful run in transit in this race and I am expecting good improvement at his second attempt at the Victorian way of going.
2 Units Renewal
Truly Discreet will appreciate a step back in class into this race and looks a touch of overs at her current price ($8.50 at publish). The Teofilo mare clearly required the run when she finished eight at Listed level first-up last month, but she finished within three lengths of Miss Siska in the Gold Bracelet at Bendigo last time out and will take improvement into this. She can take a forward position from an inside draw and will give them something to chase.
1 Unit Truly Discreet
Steel Prince has returned to racing in outstanding form this time and looks the one to beat in the fourth. The Nathaniel gelding recorded several pleasing results while under the care of Darren Weir but is undefeated since arriving at Anthony Freedman’s yard and toughed it out to win over 2000m at Mornington three weeks ago. His form at a mile and a half is good and with even luck, he can make it three in a tow.
2 Units Steel Prince
Secret Blaze will carry winning form into the Galilee Series Final and looks primed for another big performance. The three-year-old has steadily built to the task this time and finished a credible fifth in the Group 2 Alister Clark two starts back before an impressive run over 2200m at Bendigo last time. Luke Currie has options from the rails draw and this looks the perfect target for him.
Transact has also continued to improve with racing and looks the value here at double-figures. The Dundeel gelding took up the running at Bendigo last time out and dug deep to finish third, two lengths behind Secret Blaze. He harbours more improvement and can fight out the finish.
2 Units Secret Blaze
1 Unit Transact
Tarwin will take wholesale improvement into his second-up target and looks tough to beat here. The Americain gelding immediately stamped himself as a horse to follow when he scored with ease at Sale on debut and he resumed from a spell for a close-up second at Ladbrokes Park last month. The increased trip is ideal and he is drawn and weighted to win.
3 Units Tarwin
Messerschmitt is seeking a third-consecutive win when he steps out on Saturday and looks over the odds to win this race ($8.50 at publish). The All Too Hard gelding has continued to improve with racing and as Anthony Freedman has raised the bar, and he recorded an impressive win in a talent-rich sprint at Morphettville last time out. He’s been kept up to the mark with a trial and looks to have conditions to suit again on Saturday.
1.5 Units Messerschmitt
Eduardo has stamped himself as one of the best sprinters in the country and the Bel Esprit Stakes looks as a very winnable race for him. The Host gelding has recorded three wins and as many minors from only seven career starts and ended his spring preparation with a smart win in the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint. Having resumed this time for a close-up third in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate, he failed to fire in the Newmarket Handicap last time out, but this is a huge step back in class and he’ll be tough to hold out.
4 Units Eduardo
A tough way to end the day from a betting perspective, but happy to have something on Sydney raider Fierce Impact. The Deep Impact entire won the Group 3 Summer Cup in late December and resumed from a brief spell to finish sixth in the Group 2 Doncaster Prelude last month. He missed a run in the Doncaster Mile last week as an emergency but has been kept up to the mark with a trial and this does look a far more appropriate target.
2 Units Fierce Impact