2020 Australia Day Weekend Races Preview

That Girl couldn’t haven’t had less luck when she was completely blocked for a run in the straight at Flemington last time out and I am eager to give her another chance in the first at Caulfield. The Phillip Stokes-trained filly finished a close-up second at each of her first two starts this time and she looks to be ready to win, fourth-up and from the good on Saturday.

4 Units That Girl

Titan Blinders has returned three quality efforts this campaign and looks up to winning a race of this quality. The Team Corstens-trained gelding recorded a lovely win when resuming at Ballarat and has since placed in a couple of tougher city races, including one at this track and distance and at this grade on Boxing Day. I like that his runs have been spaced and he’ll have the bonus of leading hoop Craig Williams in the saddle.

2 Units Titan Blinders

Tanker hasn’t been seen at the races since spring, but he stamped himself as a colt to follow during his short debut prep and looks up to winning the Neds Blue Diamond Prelude for colts and geldings. The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained colt was sent off a $6 shot in the Listed Debutant Stakes at this track and distance and mustered an eye-catching turn of foot to beat his closest rivals by close to three lengths. He was fair when fifth at his first attempt at the Sydney way of going (Golden Gift), and the return to Caulfield could prove the difference.

3 Units Tanker

Close to half the field for the fillies Preview are on debut, but I’ve been impressed with what the Maher & Eustace-trained A Beautiful Night has so-far achieved and she looks over the odds at a double-figure price ($10 at publish). The two-year-old daughter of Night Of Thunder ran a credible second in maiden company on debut at Bendigo before making a successful step up to metro company when a smart winner down the straight at Flemington on New Year’s Day. She’ll only improve from that effort and looks a filly capable of progressing through the grades.

1 Unit E/W A Beautiful Night

Grand Admiral did plenty wrong on debut at Echuca but still recorded an impressive win, and I think that he’ll enjoy good improvement from that experience. This looks a pretty open contest and I’m happy to have something on Grand Admiral, particularly with Craig Williams jumping into the saddle.

Grand Admiral

Only nine horses will step out in the sixth and there is a case to be made for most of them. I can’t find anything that I am particularly confident in and I am happy to watch them go around.

No Bet

Propelle has been competitive without winning this time in and looms as a live each-way chance once more on Saturday. The Ellerton & Zahra-trained mare finished on the winner’s heels at Flemington two back before another good effort here at Caulfield last time out saw her finish only a couple of lengths from the winner. With even luck, I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish again.

1 Unit E/W Propelle

Yulong January has returned to the races in outstanding form and looms as the one to beat yet again in the John Dillon Stakes. The King Of Prussia gelding stripped fitter for a fair effort for fourth over 1200m at Kyneton when resuming, but has gone on to win his four subsequent starts, each tougher than the last. He was last seen beating a smart field to the line in over 1400m at Flemington and this does look the perfect black type race for him.

4 Units Yulong January

This is a tough way to end the day from a betting perspective and at publish, we’re faced with around $5 the field.

Chouxting The Mob was only fair to the line when resuming for eighth here at Caulfield two weeks ago, but he is a horse that typically enjoys sharp improvement with a run under his belt and he looks a touch of overs at a double-figure price. The Jimmy Choux gelding was a strong and consistent performer last time in and at one stage of his prep, recorded four wins in succession in similar races to this one.

1 Unit E/W Chouxting The Mob