Caulfield will play host to Victoria’s major metro meeting this Wednesday with a stacked eight-race card.
The Group 3 Coongy Cup guarantees automatic entry into Saturday’s Group 1 Caulfield Cup for the winner, while there’s plenty of value to be found elsewhere across the program.
For our best bets, read on below!
Race 1 - 12:30pm AEDT
IVE > Handicap (1600 METRES)
Riproar was well-beaten in the same race as the impressive Riff Rocket a couple of weeks ago at Flemington.
His win the start prior at Bendigo was full of merit though, settling midfield in the early stages before bursting clear to score by nearly a length.
I think the rise from 1500-1800m was a little on the sharp side, but since this is a drop back in class, he looks more than capable of making amends.
1 Unit Riproar
Race 2 - 1:05pm AEDT
Group 3 Neds Coongy Cup (2000 METRES)
Gregolimo was impressive on debut for trainer Michael Moroney a few weeks ago at Headquarters.
The French import gave away a start but was strong in the race home, beaten 1.5 lengths by Muramasa carrying 7kgs extra.
This is tougher, but out to a more suitable trip with a run under his belt now, he should take beating with improvement to come.
1 Unit Gregolimo
Race 3 - 1:40pm AEDT
Listed Magic Millions Debutant Stakes (1000 METRES)
Always a tricky race, but it does look one Coleman can win on debut for Matt Laurie.
The colt by Pierata has impressed winning two recent jump outs, really finding the line strongly down the outside a couple of weeks ago at Sandown.
Drawn an inside gate with Ben Melham also in good form, this looks the right race for him.
1 Unit Coleman
Race 4 - 2:15pm AEDT
Neds Punters Toolbox Handicap (2400 METRES)
Pesto was beaten under a length by Strait Acer two runs back at Randwick, form that reads well with that same horse going on to run a huge race for second in the Silver Eagle last Saturday.
He’s failed to run a place in five starts over this trip, but he does present fitter third-up, while Jye McNeil also has some good form in the saddle aboard the eight-year-old.
Likely to get back off the speed, he should be finishing well.
1 Unit Pesto
Race 5 - 2:50pm AEDT
Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives Handicap (2000 METRES)
Tough to find fault with the form Shock Em Ova brings with him to the races.
This lightly-raced son of Shocking has missed the money only once from seven starts, most recently seen scoring narrowly here at Caulfield over the mile where he was held up badly.
He’ll relish getting out to 2000m third-up, especially if Craig Williams can take him back early from barrier 7.
2 Units Shock Em Ova
Race 6 - 3:25pm AEDT
Catanach’s Jewellers Trophy (1100 METRES)
Dancing Alone has the runs on the board to suggest he’ll go well as usual.
The form out of his last-start win at Flemington has been solid, a performance that saw him come off a slow speed and let down beautifully in the run home.
William Thomas is also worth a look each-way. It’s been an eternity since he won, but he closed the gap nicely at Flemington a couple of weeks ago and tends to love Caulfield.
1 Unit Dancing Alone, 1 Unit E/W William Thomas
Race 7 - 4:05pm AEDT
Thoroughbreds Grassroots Gallop (1440 METRES)
Fearless Writer was beaten two lengths fourth to impressive mare Extreme Step at Mornington last time out, a form line that reads well for her second-up assignment.
The daughter of Written Tycoon is making her Caulfield debut, but she has held her own at this class placing twice in the past.
The low gate is to her favour, and with the blinkers going back on, she should run a much-improved race coming off the speed.
1 Unit Fearless Writer
Race 8 - 4:45pm AEDT
Marshall White Trophy (1440 METRES)
Faretti has been close to another win since resuming two back at Sandown for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
The seven-year-old by I Am Invincible has found the money in both runs back on the Hillside track, leading for most of the journey a couple of weeks ago over the same distance range before finding one better in his last few strides.
With a solid third-up record though, and a couple of runs under his belt at Caulfield, he looks a good bet to go one better here.
1 Unit Faretti