Caulfield - Race 4 2pm AEDT
No. 1 Coleman
I’m keen to stick with Coleman in his return to Victoria today.
Coleman was unlucky not to win a Golden Slipper during a glittering two-year-old preparation and was far from disgraced in a couple of open Group 1 contests at The Valley when resuming this time.
Having finished second behind subsequent Group 1 champion Switzerland in the Roman Consul Stakes before finishing midfield in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, he’s hard fit, this is a noticeable drop in class, and the 1400m looks ideal at this point of his preparation.
Caulfield - Race 5 2:35pm AEDT
No. 7 Pharari
I’m happy to give Pharari another chance when she goes around in the Village Stakes.
Pharari returned to action for a dominant win at Sandown back in September, while two starts in Saturday metro company up in Sydney heralded a smart win in BM78 company, and a near miss in another.
She was rather disappointing at Group 3 level at Flemington on Derby Day, but she’s fit, this is an easier race, and she’s drawn to receive every chance under Damian Lane.
Caulfield - Race 7 3:45pm AEDT
No. 2 Aeliana
Aeliana has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence and rates as a clear winning chance in the Thousand Guineas.
Having been freshened after finishing down the order at Warwick Farm in early September, the Castelvecchio filly was sent off at double figures in the Reginald Allen Quality on The Everest Day but proved too strong for her rivals.
Having backed that up with a dominant win in the Carbine Club Stakes on Derby Day, she’s hard fit and James McDonald sticks.
Caulfield - Race 8 4:25pm AEDT
No. 9 Sunsets
Sunsets rates as a key winning chance in an open edition of the Victorian Country Cups Final this afternoon.
Sunsets failed to make an impression in the Bendigo Cup last time out, but his form prior to that race was sound, and included placings in both the Murtoa Cup and the Ladbrokes Moe Cup.
He’s fit, he’s a Group 3 winner over this route previously and gets into it well with only 53kgs in tow.