Eight races are scheduled to be run and won on the Caulfield Heath track this Wednesday.
The rail is out 4m the entire course and while the track is rated a Good 4 at time of publish, there is rain forecast for Tuesday before a fine day Wednesday so it will pay to monitor.
We’ve provided our top selections for each race below.
Race 1 - 3:40PM AEDT
Maiden Plate (1600 METRES)
Thurmond (5) returned in excellent order last start over 1600m at Pakenham.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding enjoyed a nice run and hit the lead in the straight but was picked off late to finish a half-length second.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and given he has only had two career starts, he has plenty of upside.
John Allen should be able to settle in a prominent position.
1 Unit – Thurmond (5)
Race 2 - 4:15PM AEDT
Fillies & Mares BM70 Handicap (1800 METRES)
Lake Vostok (6) is on the quick back-up after giving a good sight over 1600m here last Thursday.
The Luke Oliver-trained mare worked early to find the front under 60kg before understandably tiring late to finish a length third.
That followed a strong performance where she found the line well to finish a nose second over 1700m at Flemington.
She will carry just 54kg after Tom Prebble’s claim and should be at peak fitness now.
1 Unit – Lake Vostok (6)
Race 3 - 4:50PM AEDT
Class 1 Handicap (1500 METRES)
Inexorable (1) is on the quick back-up after running well despite an outside barrier to finish 1.8 lengths second over 1600m here.
The Grahame Begg-trained gelding didn’t have a great deal of luck in his two races before that where he was badly held up three starts back when finishing third and somehow finding himself three-deep from barrier 3 at The Valley two starts back.
Damian Lane was back in the saddle last start and sticks which is a big positive given he’s finished in the placings four of the five times he’s ridden.
He’s rock hard fit and should be able to find a spot with cover from the outside gate.
1 Unit – Inexorable (1)
Race 4 - 5:25PM AEDT
Fillies & Mares BM64 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Samangu (4) found the line well on debut to finish just under a length third at Werribee before being spelled.
The daughter of Written By obviously had an issue as she then spent 77 weeks in the paddock.
She was super in her jump outs and took that form to her first-up race at Ballarat where she let down powerfully to win the 1100m contest by two lengths.
She’s been given five weeks to get over that run and looks well placed against this field.
2 Units – Samangu (4)
Race 5 - 6:00PM AEDT
Colts, Horses & Geldings BM64 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Social Conscience (6) returned in good order over 1200m at Bairnsdale last start.
The Craig Blackshaw-trained gelding found the line well and was doing his best work late when finishing 1.5 lengths third.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and did run well in a stronger race when having his second run back last start preparation where he finished second over this distance at Yarra Glen.
There’s good speed in the race which will suit him and Damian Lane replaces the apprentice.
1 Unit – Social Conscience (6)
Race 6 - 6:30PM AEDT
3YO BM64 Handicap (1100 METRES)
Loafer (4) impressed when resuming over 1112m at Kyneton with a win.
The Archie Alexander-trained filly settled handy before driving to the front upon straightening and going onto a length win.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and gave a good account of herself when second-up last preparation when finishing 2.7 lengths fifth to the talented Manolo Bling in a stronger race.
Declan Bates can give her the run of the race.
1 Unit – Loafer (4)
Race 7 - 7:00PM AEDT
BM64 Handicap (1800 METRES)
Cyclone Harmony (2) is racing in great form with two wins from his past three starts.
The Peter Gelagotis-trained gelding won three starts over 1600m at Bairnsdale by a length with 5.3 lengths back to third.
Last start he enjoyed a nice run stalking the speed over a mile at Moe before letting down strongly to win by 3.8 lengths.
Given how strong through the line he was, the rise to 1800m will suit now that he’s at peak fitness.
Tianni Chapman, who claims 3kg, has built a good relationship with the horse and will give him the run of the race.
1 Unit – Cyclone Harmony (2)
Race 8 - 7:30PM AEDT
BM70 Handicap (1500 METRES)
Navy King (4) caught the eye when returning last start over 1300m at Ararat.
The Symon Wilde-trained gelding produced a powerful finishing burst to storm home from the back and miss the win by a head.
Given how strong through the line he was and the fact he won over 2000m when last in work, the rise in distance is ideal.
He’ll strip fitter and did win his only previous second-up race.
1 Unit – Navy King (4)