Eight races are scheduled to take place on the Caulfield Heath track this Wednesday.
The rail is in the true position and racing should be conducted on a Good 4 surface with only a slight chance of showers.
We’ve taken a close look at the form and provided our top selections in each race.
Race 1 - 1:00PM AEDT
2YO Open Handicap (1000 METRES)
Shining Smile (1) has race experience on his side and looks well placed to breakthrough for his first win.
The Team Hayes-trained colt found the front on debut in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes but was overpowered late to finish a neck second.
He was stronger second-up when finding the line powerfully in the G3 Maribyrnong Plate when finishing 1.1 lengths third.
He’ll be further improved third-up and the winkers coming off will hopefully relax him better.
1 Unit – Shining Smile (1)
Race 2 - 1:35PM AEDT
3YO Maiden Plate (1000 METRES)
Parch (6) gave a good sight when resuming over 1118m at Geelong last start when finishing third by 3.8 lengths.
The Jerome Hunter-trained Headwater gelding felt the pinch in the final stages so the drop back to 1000m here looks preferrable.
He’s drawn the outside barrier but it’s now only a small field so he should be able to cross easier enough.
Aiding that is the booking of Damian Lane.
1 Unit – Parch (6)
Race 3 - 2:10PM AEDT
Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)
Le Plus Rapide (4) debuts here and looks ready for a first-up bold showing following two jump outs.
The Henry Dwyer-trained son of Rubick looked good in his most recent piece of work where he settled handy before finishing off stylishly to win.
Top jockey Blake Shinn is a key booking and he should afford his mount every chance from barrier 2.
1 Unit – Le Plus Rapide (4)
Race 4 - 2:45PM AEDT
3YO Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Versaille (9) impressed on debut when winning easily by 1.8 lengths over 1000m at Bendigo.
The Moody & Coleman camp sent her to the paddock straight after that win and she returned on Melbourne Cup Day where she was 5.5 lengths 11th in the Schweppervescence Plate.
She showed good speed that day but unfortunately was in the slower section of the track so I’m prepared to give her some grace given her jump outs leading into that first-up run were excellent.
She maps to get a sweet run from the inside barrier.
1 Unit Each Way – Versaille (9)
Race 5 - 3:20PM AEDT
Benchmark 70 Handicap (1800 METRES)
Hooah Havana (2) looks ready to win following a solid but unlucky effort in a stronger race at Flemington last start.
The Lindsey Smith-trained gelding was held up in the Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final but worked home strongly once clear to finish 1.5 lengths sixth.
The start prior he stormed home over 1400m at Bendigo to finish a length second to Yellow Sam.
While he’s never raced over 1800m, the way he finds the line suggests he’ll have no issue.
1 Unit – Hooah Havana (2)
Race 6 - 3:55PM AEDT
Fillies & Mares Benchmark 70 Handicap (1500 METRES)
Changing Colours (8) won over 1454m at Kyneton on debut before going for a break.
The Chris Walller-trained daughter of The Autumn Sun returned over 1300m at Bendigo where she settled near the back after drawing wide before savaging the line to finish a neck second.
Last start she recorded the quickest final 200m of the race at Ballarat but just couldn’t catch Bon Mistress who franked the form by impressively winning on VRC Oaks Day.
She’ll strip fitter third-up and the ear muffs coming off is a plus.
2 Units – Changing Colours (8)
Race 7 - 4:30PM AEDT
Benchmark 64 Handicap (1500 METRES)
San Marino (4) was unlucky last start in the Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final when held up behind the leaders and finishing 2.9 lengths 11th.
The John Leek Jnr-trained gelding will appreciate the big drop in class as well as the drop back to 1500m.
Two starts back he put up a terrific fight to finish a nose second in a stronger race over 1400m at Sale.
He won in this class three starts ago when easily putting away his rivals at Pakenham.
Daniel Stackhouse knows him well and will give him every chance.
1 Unit Each Way – San Marino (4)
Race 8 - 5:05PM AEDT
Benchmark 70 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Nova Lights (12) has been racing in great form this preparation and looks primed for a fourth-up peak performance.
The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained mare returned in good order three starts back when finishing just under a length fourth at Geelong despite being in the slower section of the track.
She backed that stellar effort up with a strong win two starts back at Mornington over this distance.
While she had a beautiful run that day, last start she endured a torrid run three-deep the trip but still fought bravely to finish 1.1 lengths third at The Valley.
Ben Melham replaces the apprentices and should give her a great run from a prominent position.
1 Unit – Nova Lights (12)