Victorian racing heats up as the Spring Racing Carnival is almost upon us.
Caulfield will play host to a bumper ten race card day this Saturday which will see the return of a number of spring contenders.
The Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes will headline the program which will feature a further three black type races, including the Group 3 Quezette Stakes and the Group 3 Vain Stakes.
The rail will be out 9m for the entire circuit and the track is currently rated a good 4.
Our Ladbrokes preview can be found below.
First Mate has been racing well.
After scoring a tough win at Werribee two starts back he caught the eye last time when chasing home the very talented St Lawrence, over this track and distance.
Despite wanting to over race in the early part the Toronado gelding still hit the strongly to grab fourth, taking ground off the placegetters.
Only lightly raced, the seven year old comes here in top form and will appreciate the drop back in grade.
Melbourne’s premier rider Blake Shinn will do the steering and he’s drawn to get the right run from gate four.
1 unit – FIRST MATE
Beour Bay has been knocking on the door.
The daughter of Cable Bay is ultra consistent, having kicked off her preparation with back to back wins before going to place at her past four starts.
She meets a similar field here again and will be afforded a soft run from barrier three.
Dean Yendall was in the saddle last start when she was only beaten by the barest of margins and they’ll partner up again as they look to go one better.
1 unit – BEOUR BAY
Ranting had no luck at all last start up the Flemington straight.
Formally prepared by team Corstens the Zoustar gelding kicked off this preparation under new trainer Nick Ryan and has performed well in both outings.
He held his ground to the line when resuming over 1200m and last time out he got back and never saw clear running until the final stages, where he hit the line strongly.
Ben Melham sticks with him and he’s got a great record here at Caulfield.
Barrier three will see him afforded a soft run and he’ll be doing his best work late.
1 unit – RANTING
Waverider Buoy is a mare in peak form.
The daughter of Nicconi won at her second start back from a break and outside draws have seen her storming home, only to go down by narrow margins at her past two outings.
She has a great record over this trip and while she does rise in class, she’ll appreciate the drop in the weights.
Blake Shinn takes the ride for Chris Waller and if he can slot her in within striking distance, she should prove hard to beat.
1 unit – WAVERIDER BUOY
He’s Our Bonneval made the trip to Sydney last start and performed well to finish third in slightly stronger grade.
There’s a lot to like about the former UK galloper.
He’s been in good form, he does race well here, he’s hard fit and will appreciate the step back up to 1400m.
The son of Siyouni possesses a brilliant turn of foot and from the wide gate he’ll get back and will be storming home late.
John Allen goes onboard for the Busuttin / Young team.
1 unit – HE’S OUR BONNEVAL
It’sourtime is racing in terrific form and comes here off a well deserved victory in the Aurie’s Star Handicap.
The Danny O’Brien trained gelding got back and then had to switch across heels to get to the outside but proved too strong, charging home over the top of them to take out his second stakes win.
The start prior, he came from a long way back to grab third when stepping out over this course and distance.
Whilst he yet to win at Caulfield he has been placed in six of seven runs here and his record over this trip is very impressive.
Michael Dee stays in the saddle and from barrier six he’ll be able to position himself that bit closer and will be right there at the business end.
1 unit – IT’SOURTIME
Charm Stone resumes after a good break.
The daughter of I Am Invincible made her debut in the Maribyrnong trial before going on to take out the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes at just her second outing.
She was put away after that and returned in the Blue Diamond Fillies Prelude where she failed to let down over the final part but her rider reported she had made a respiratory noise and she was again sent to the paddock.
The cross over noseband has been removed and a tongue tie has been added.
The Price / Kent team, have given her a recent jump out and trial both over 800m and she found the line strongly in each, looking particularly impressive in her most recent hit out.
She does have a wide alley to contend with but Damian Lane goes back in the saddle and he rides this track as well as anyone.
1 unit – CHARM STONE
Golden Slipper runner up Cylinder returns to the races on the back off two very impressive trial wins.
The son of Exceed and Excel put the writing on the wall last prep with wins in the Silver Slipper Stakes and the Todman Stakes before just finding Shinzo a touch better on the day, in the Group One feature.
A very heavy track brought him undone in the ATC Sires Produce Stakes but he’s been solid in all of his other runs and looks to have come back in top order.
Blake Shinn will take the mount for the Godolphin team.
2 units – CYLINDER
Mr Brightside kicks off his Spring campaign in the PB Lawrence Stakes after a very fruitful Autumn stint saw him take out The All-Star Mile along with his second Doncaster Mile.
The six year old does perform well first up having triumphed in this race when resuming last year.
He comes here off two very pleasing jump outs and the Hayes boys look to have him primed for this.
Craig Williams has a terrific association with the gelding, having partnered him to nineteen of his twenty three starts, only missing his two recent successes through injury.
He’ll reunite with him here as they look to record their tenth victory together.
1 unit – MR BRIGHTSIDE
Sibaaq strips fitter for the one run back.
When kicking off over 1500m in Listed grade at Rosehill, the former UK import was given a charmed run but just looked to peak 100m out.
His Australian form does read a bit hit and miss but he has produced some solid performances, proving he’s more than capable on his day.
The step to the mile looks ideal and he does race well second up.
Barrier three is a big plus and Damian Lane will take the ride for Annabel Neasham.
1 unit E/W – SIBAAQ