Metropolitan Victorian racing was scheduled for the Caulfield Heath track this Wednesday but a grandstand fire has seen the meeting moved to Mornington.

The rail is out 6m the entire course and with mostly fine weather forecast, we may see an upgrade to a Good 4 by the first race.

We’ve provided our top selection in each race below. 

Race 1 - 3:40PM AEDT

Maiden Plate (1500 METRES)

Fontaine Rouge (7) returned in great order last start over 1300m at Bendigo.  

The Ciaron Maher-trained Justify mare was restrained early to settle a long way back but worked powerfully to the line to finish 3.1 lengths third. 

The run screamed that she wanted further, and she gets it here with the rise to 1500m. 

Blake Shinn taking the ride is a positive and the gun hoop should be able to settle in a prominent position.  

1 Unit – Fontaine Rouge (7) 

Race 2 - 4:15PM AEDT

3YO Maiden Plate (1000 METRES)

Tonkin (10) led over 1000m at Bendigo on debut and put up a big fight but was overpowered right on the line to finish a nose second. 

The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Blue Point filly was sent for a spell after that run and returns here on the back of two solid Mornington jump outs where she’s finished second on both occasions. 

She musters speed quickly so Blake Shinn should be able to land handy to the lead. 

1 Unit – Tonkin (10) 

Race 3 - 4:50PM AEDT

Benchmark 64 Handicap (1000 METRES)

Castellar (3) has progressed nicely since winning his maiden by four lengths first-up at Pakenham. 

The Robbie Laing-trained colt gave a good sight two starts ago over 1000m on the Caulfield Heath track when finishing just under a length second. 

He returned to The Heath last start and was excellent, racing three-wide outside the speed before proving too strong late for a neck win. 

He’ll carry 0.5kg less than last start thanks to Logan Bates’ claim and should enjoy a nice run just off what looks a decent speed. 

1 Unit – Castellar (3) 

Race 4 - 5:25PM AEDT

Benchmark 64 Handicap (1500 METRES)

Flying Ace (4) is becoming a costly commodity having been beaten as favourite in his past two starts but looks very close to another win. 

The Robbie Laing-trained gelding was beaten by a neck over 1200m at Caulfield Heath three starts back before being run down over 1400m at Cranbourne two starts back when finishing just under a length second. 

He was brave last start over 1400m on The Heath track when leading and putting up a big fight only to be run down in the final stride to finish a nose second. 

Logan Bates, who claims 3kg, will go forward and give them something to catch.  

1 Unit – Flying Ace (4) 

Race 5 - 6:00PM AEDT

Fillies & Mares BM70 Handicap (1000 METRES)

Jennyanydots (1) raced well in her first preparation where she was narrowly beaten on debut before going on to win at her second start at Moe and finishing a close third in a stronger race third-up. 

The Mitchell Freedman-trained Magnus mare took her hot trial form to the races first-up over 1000m at Caulfield Heath when storming home after being held up to win by just under a length.  

Castellar was second that day and has since won again to frank the form. 

She’ll strip fitter second-up and will be aided by a likely strong speed. 

2 Units – Jennyanydots (1)   

Race 6 - 6:30PM AEDT

0-64 Handicap (2000 METRES)

Ginger Sweet (11) has come back this preparation in fine fettle. 

The daughter of Tavistock fought gamely first-up over 1500m at Caulfield Heath to finish 1.4 lengths third before looking like she was going to trot in over 1717m at Sale last start only for condition to give out late and for her to finish a neck second. 

She’ll strip fitter third-up and did go within a nose of winning when having her third run back at Mornington last preparation.  

Blake Shinn retains the ride and can slide across and slot in midfield.  

1 Unit – Ginger Sweet (11)     

Race 7 - 7:00PM AEDT

Benchmark 74 Handicap (2000 METRES)

Kings Valley (11) is racing in superb form this preparation and is still on the up. 

The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding won his maiden first-up at Horsham before finishing a nose second at Ararat and a head second over 1800m at The Heath. 

He produced the best performance of his career last start over 1800m at Caulfield Heath when letting down powerfully to win easily by 1.8 lengths. 

He’s up in class but drops in weight and the strong speed helps.  

1 Unit – Kings Valley (11) 

Race 8 - 7:30PM AEDT

Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200 METRES)

Written Bligh (4) returned in great order last start over 1000m at Caulfield Heath. 

1000m is a touch sharp for the Grahame Begg-trained mare but she still found the line well to finish a half-length second. 

She’ll strip fitter second-up and appreciate the drop in class and the rise in distance. 

Tom Prebble, who claims 3kg, can slide across from the wide barrier and take up a prominent position. 

1 Unit – Written Bligh (4)