Caulfield Preview – Wednesday 12th January

Caulfield will host Victoria’s metropolitan midweek meeting this week, and eight races are on the card.

The rail will be set out a whopping 12 metres around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Good (4) range.

No Diggity was an impressive winner on debut and has opened a clear $1.65 favourite in betting ahead of the first at Caulfield on Wednesday.

With little form to study, I can’t find anything to beat her, and I am happy to watch.

No Bet

There is a case to be made for several gallopers engaged in the second at Caulfield on Wednesday, including Antipodes.

Antipodes has improved noticeably with each start back this time, and only just missed in races at Mornington and Geelong, before breaking her maiden comfortably at the latter, last time out.

This is a rise in class, but she looks to be at peak fitness, and we can have an each-way play at around the $11 mark.

2 Units E/W Antipodes

Godolphin look to have another key winning chance in the Neds Canny Lad Handicap with Minouche.

Minouche has only made two appearances at the races so far, but she charged in to finish second behind Party For One at Canterbury on debut, before striking at Newcastle last time.

This will be her first crack at the Victorian way of going, but she boasts plenty of upside, and the booking of Damien Oliver certainly doesn’t hinder her chances.

3 Units Minouche

The consistent Pal D’oro looks well placed to strike at Caulfield on Wednesday.

The four-year-old son of Medaglia D’oro returned to the races for a dominant win in maiden company at Ladbrokes Park in November, and he was last seen finishing just a head behind the winner in BM64 company.

Fitter third-up, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.

5 Units Pal D’oro

This is another wide-open contest and at publish, we’re faced with $6 the field.

Designs has been a model of consistency this time, she takes winning form into this contest and looks to be a key winning chance again at around the $8 mark.

The Vancouver mare hasn’t missed placing in four starts back this time, and she was rewarded for her condition in BM64 company last time.

There is no doubt that is a tougher race, but she is another whom we can back each-way.

2 Units E/W Designs

Gentleman Roy has recorded two wins from as many starts back this time, and he looks well placed to pull off the hat-trick at Caulfield this week.

The So You Think gelding showed glimpses of ability during his debut prep, but the decision to spell him in February has proven to be the correct one, and he was hardly troubled at Geelong and Flemington when resuming this prep.

Fitter third-up, he is my best bet on the program.

6 Units Gentleman Roy

Gulf Of Aden has drawn awkwardly out in barrier 14, but I thought that this could be the most open race on Wednesday’s Caulfield program, and I’m happy to have something on at around the $11 mark.

Gulf Of Aden stamped himself as a runner to follow this time with a bullish win at Kyneton in November, and he has since returned competitive efforts to finish midfield in races at Ladbrokes Park and The Valley.

He steps out this week in peak order, Craig Williams takes the ride, and he does look up to winning something of this quality.

2 Units E/W Gulf Of Aden

Vongole proved to be a bit of a head scratcher last time, but we know how good he can be at his best, his fresh record is good, and I’m going to have something small on each-way here, at a big price ($27 at publish).

Vongole resumed like time with a fair effort for second in Saturday company at Morphettville, before filling the minors in BM74, also in Adelaide.

He went to the paddock after failing to fire in a couple of similar races at Cranbourne and Geelong, and he has reportedly relished his time away.

1 Unit E/W Vongole