One of Australia’s leading three-year-old races and arguably the country’s most important stallion-making event will be run and won in Melbourne this Saturday, and we’ve got a talented line-up of young guns to go through in our 2025 Caulfield Guineas Preview.
A mile classic that always draws the cream of the three-year-old crop, the now $3 million Group 1 Caulfield Guineas has been won by a host of turf greats over the years including the likes of Ajax, Hydrogen, Tulloch, Storm Queen, Vain, Surround, Luskin Star, Manikato, Red Anchor, Mahogany, Redoute’s Choice, Lonhro, Weekend Hussler, and All Too Hard.
What a list!
This year Chris Waller will saddle-up the two best in Caulfield Guineas betting with Wodeton and Autumn Boy battling for favouritism in the markets.
So, will Wodeton go one better than his Golden Rose second?
Can Autumn Boy make the most of the coveted rails-drawn to get back in winning form?
Or do we have an upset Caulfield Guineas result pending from the likes of last start Stutt Stakes champ West Of Swindon or the autumn’s Group 1 Champagne Stakes champ Nepotism?
Read on for our expert runner-by-runner guide to the 2025 Caulfield Guineas!
- Top 2 – No. 2 Wodeton
- Top 3 – No. 9 Autumn Boy
- Top 4 – No. 4 Nepotism
| 9. Autumn Boy (1) J: Damian Lane 57kg 11×27T: Chris Waller | ||
| 4. Nepotism (9) J: Blake Shinn 57kg 11×98T: M, W & J Hawkes | ||
| 2. Wodeton (7) J: James McDonald 57kg 4×242T: Chris Waller |
1. Rivellino (3) – Kris Lees
Odds: $26 (at time of publish)
Big race specialist Craig Williams partners nicely bred Too Darn Hot colt Rivellino from an ideal gate three draw in the Guineas.
This longshot with upside, has shown staying promise but needs improvement to match the top-tier three-year-olds having only won up to 1200m to date.
He’s a three-time winner from eight starts but sees both the track and trip for the first time coming off some okay runs in Sydney.
While he did beat Within The Law home in the Inglis Millennium back in February, he hasn’t won since his narrow Group 2 Skyline Stakes victory in March.
Wasn’t far away in the Golden Slipper (4th) and Inglis Sires’ (5th) as a two-year-old but hasn’t been going as well this time in.
Latest start saw him run a distant sixth to runaway champ Beiwacht in the Golden Rose as a 70/1 outsider.
Gets more distance to cover the ground late and the barrier helps in his Melbourne debut, but there look better proven youngsters in this field.
2. Wodeton (10) – Chris Waller
Odds: $3.50 (at time of publish)
Waller’s very promising Wootton Bassett colt Wodeton has firmed into favourite at time of publish and I’m a fan.
He presents rock hard fit fourth up and looks very deserving of an elite level win.
Waller is a three-time Caulfield Guineas winning trainer chasing his fourth success and back-to-back wins in the event following Private Life last year, and this up-and-comer ticks plenty of boxes for the stable.
After a winning debut at Rosehill by a big margin in January he entered the autumn as one of the spruik juveniles and, while he hasn’t won since, he’s come so close going down to some good types without disgrace.
Runner-up in the Golden Slipper and under a length behind Vinrock in the Inglis Sires’, he’s been equally consistent this prep including his second in the Golden Rose last time out when holding ground and finding the line well.
Jockey James McDonald was full of post-race praise saying the colt was “very gallant in defeat” and that he “stayed on really well”.
Love him getting out to a mile now and J-Mac sticks with.
While he’s widely drawn out in gate 10, which hasn’t produced a winner since Lonhro in 2001, I expect the Golden Rose form to stack up and he’s the best out of that.
3. Vinrock (14) – Matt Laurie
Odds: $8.50 (at time of publish)
I Am Invincible colt Vinrock is already a valuable stallion prospect having bagged is Group 1 in the autumn when claiming the Inglis Sires’ at Randwick on the back of his two-length win in the Melbourne equivalent.
Second-up he atoned for a heavy loss fresh to Tycoon Star in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes here to win Flemington’s Listed Exford Plate carting 59.5kg to an impressive 1.75 length romp home over West Of Swindon.
That horse turned the tables up to a mile at The Valley to win the Group 2 Stutt Stakes where Vinrock ran three lengths back fifth from a wide alley on a very tight turning track.
Happy to rule a line through that and I think he’s suited to a mile.
Caulfield suits better and Mark Zahra, who knows him so well now, is riding in top form.
The barrier (14) is obviously the concern, but he’ll settle off pace and has the smarts to make up late ground and be there in the finish.
Top 4 potential for sure.
4. Nepotism (12) – Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes
Odds: $16 (at time of publish)
Another already proven Group 1 champ chasing more elite level glory, Nepotism from the Hawkes stable shapes-up as an underrated runner here with the potential to add value to exotics betting on the Guineas this year.
Blake Shinn comes aboard this Brutal colt who we know gets the distance having won the Group 1 Champagne Stakes at Randwick back in April defeating last weekend’s subsequent Group 1 Flight Stakes runner-up Within The Law.
He’s at long odds third-up having finished well back in both the Run To The Rose (9th) and Golden Rose (8th) as a three-year-old, but he’ll be improving back up in trip now.
His Golden Rose run was a frustrating watch as he didn’t settle at all for Tyler Schiller over-racing, caught for room and failing to let down the closing stages.
I think Shinn can get control of him and if Nepotism responds, calms down and lets things unfold from the back, he could be the forgotten improver flashing home.
5. West Of Swindon (16) – Ciaron Maher
Odds: $14 (at time of publish)
Beautifully bred? Yep, he’s by Wootton Bassett. From a good stable? You bet, Ciaron Maher is one of the best. In good form? For sure, he’s a last start winner. Good gate? Nope.
West Of Swindon is at double-figures and definitely has work to do from barrier 16, which no winner has come from going back to at least the year 2000.
Ben Melham retains the ride and will be hoping to slot in early on this last start Group 2 Stutt Stakes winner.
The colt was good at Moonee Valley winning over this distance and the Stutt Stakes – Caulfield Guineas double was recently completed by another Maher runner in Griff (2023) only two years ago.
Not sure it’s the right form line to follow into the Group 1 this year however and it’s really hard to go past the nasty alley.
6. Vega For Luck (7) – Scratched
7. Highvol (18) – Nick Ryan
Odds: $31 (at time of publish)
Microphone gelding Highvol is a nice type, but the outside alley really rules him out for the win.
He’s a two-time winner from five starts having gone back-to-back over 1400m at Flemington last time in, but his form this season has left a bit to be desired.
He was over seven lengths beaten in the McNeil Stakes at this track fresh, ran sixth in the Exford Plate behind Vinrock without looking a threat and comes via a fourth in the Stutt Stakes.
Having made up good ground from the final bend before ultimately running out of room at The Valley, there was a bit to like about his lead-up run.
Still, this is tougher, and he won’t be getting any favours from the gate.
Also accepted for Sydney’s Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) on Saturday and could scratch out of this in favour of that still lucrative target.
8. Navy Pilot (2) – Ciaron Maher
Odds: $6 (at time of publish)
The second of Maher’s three Guineas acceptors, Navy Pilot was one of the big winners in the draw coming up trumps with barrier two.
This son of I Am Invincible is racing very well this prep having been narrowly denied a win fresh at 20/1 when only a nose off Legacy Bound in the Listed Poseidon Stakes (1100m) at HQ before getting his confidence up with a Sandown win over 1400m with 57kg.
That was a non-Black Type event, and he only just got there over Bacash.
Faces a much tougher assignment up to Group company for the first time since his seventh when 4.5 lengths off Cool Archie at Eagle Farm in the JJ Atkins in the winter.
Still, he’s improving and untapped and the barrier certainly puts him in the mix.
9. Autumn Boy (1) – Chris Waller
Odds: $4.80 (at time of publish)
One-time favourite Autumn Boy is still battling stablemate Wodeton for top spot in the markets but is currently on the second line of betting from the Waller stable.
He’s drawn a dream with the coveted inside alley which has produced four winners since 2000, most recently Divine Prophet back in 2016.
Jockey Damian Lane got the job done on Private Life for Waller last year and gets the chance to go back-to-back on a livewire hope.
This son of The Autumn Sun has all the upside having just his fifth start on the weekend, and he already boasts a 50% winning strike-rate.
Those wins came at his first and second starts in the winter, and he’s after his first as a 3YO on Saturday.
Fresh in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty at Rosehill he ran a half-length off the better weighted Sixties at Rosehill in a big first-up performance.
His Golden Rose run, however, was somewhat disappointing when he beat home just two rivals to cross seventh.
Yes, he was forced wide the early stages there in the Group 1, but on the rewatch he didn’t seem to have the speed to go with his rivals late.
Will that be a problem this weekend? Unlikely. The step up to a mile looks ideal and I expect him to get the 1600m or further as he progresses.
The draw gets him in the right spot early, love that Lane comes aboard, not hard to see why there’s plenty of support for him to improve and return to winning form.
Definite danger.
10. Space Rider (11) – Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)
Odds: $31 (at time of publish)
Zoustar colt Space Rider ticks the pedigree box but this galloper from the Price / Kent yard doesn’t look to have the right lead-up or class to challenge based on what we’ve seen so far.
He only got up to stakes grade two back when over four lengths off Rosberg in the Listed McKenzie Stakes at The Valley.
At his latest he ran in the Prelude for fourth, the same effort in the same race that Private Life won the Guineas off last year.
Do I think history will repeat itself 12 months’ on? Unlikely.
While Space Rider ran well in that to cross only 1.4 lengths off the winner running a big race off the final bend, I still think that if you’re on the Prelude form there are better out of it to be on in the big one.
He’ll get conditions to suit but has a double-digit draw.
Beau Mertens rides and did salute on him fresh at Moonee Valley but not sure it’ll be enough to feature in the finish.
11. Prestige Ole (4) – Matt Laurie
Odds: $81 (at time of publish)
The third runner lining up for in-form horseman Matt Laurie, Prestige Ole is drawn well in gate four for Harry Coffey but remains the rank outside at 80/1 at time of publish.
The son of Ole Kirk hasn’t put his best foot forward this time in and there are plenty of others I prefer out of the same lead-up races in Melbourne.
He was fifth in the Exford Plate to show a bit of promise, but things fell apart at The Valley when he failed to beat home any of his rivals in the Stutt Stakes.
Keen on speed he faded right out of contention late as his rivals went past him and don’t think that bodes well as he races over the same distance this weekend in tougher company.
While Laurie and Coffey have a good strike-rate together, and instructions will be to get this guy to settle better midfield, he looks outclassed and not sure he’s a genuine miler.
The long odds look justified.
12. Hillier (17) – Annabel & Rob Archibald
Odds: $41 (at time of publish)
Promising Zoustar colt Hillier is one of the widest drawn of the contenders, but he brings in some consistent form that is worth unpacking.
The Annabel & Rob Archibald trained youngster has won just one of his eight starts to date in a Newcastle maiden back in mid-July but has been racing well in tougher company this time in.
Fourth fresh to Vinrock only 2.3 lengths away in the Exford Plate at 20/1 he went one better at a similar price in the Stutt Stakes over the Moonee Valley mile showing good tactical speed.
While I think the Sydney form lines present stronger this year, historically the Stutt Stakes hasn’t been the worst to follow into the Guineas, and his run did catch the eye.
The distance suits but the draw makes it tough and there’s a jockey change so happy to leave him out.
13. Stay Cosmic (15) – Phillip Stokes
Odds: $41 (at time of publish)
Another hopeful with a wide alley to overcome, Stay Cosmic is third-up having had his two lead-up runs in Melbourne.
First-up he was a half-length away second in the McKenzie Stakes at The Valley at a big price having made up late ground before his fifth in the Prelude when 1.7 lengths beaten.
He has been steadily working his way through the grades, but I don’t rate the Prelude form this season and the alley again makes this a tough ask against some better performed and drawn rivals.
Untapped with upside and could peak over the mile but I’ll be leaving out from that draw.
14. Planet Red (5) – Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)
Odds: $17 (at time of publish)
Planet Red is an untapped improver from the Price & Kent Jnr yard that appeals at the price for those chasing the value.
Jordan Childs partners this Admire Mars gelding from a good gate five draw and the barrier certainly boosts his potential here.
After a first-up win in August at Sandown Lakeside as the odds-on favourite over Vega For Luck he went the McKenzie – Prelude path placing fourth and third respectively.
He has been showing promise but was aided by gun Mark Zahra rides at his latest two and has a jockey change this weekend.
Think the future will be bright and he’ll get his Group win eventually but hard to see him taking out the Group 1.
Still, if you’re on the Melbourne form lines he’s one of the better hopes to give things a shake-up coming in well-prepared with peak fitness and the potential to see out the mile well.
15. Romantic Encounter (13) – Ben, Will & JD Hayes
Odds: $21 (at time of publish)
The Hayes boys saddle-up Ghaiyyath colt Romantic Encounter with the Kiwi bred galloper having just his third career start on the weekend.
A winner on debut at Bendigo on a Heavy (9) track over 1300m with 58kg, he then made his Group race debut and went down a long-neck in the Stutt Stakes at a big price showing a genuine affinity for the 1600m distance he gets again on Saturday.
Daniel Stackhouse retains the ride, he’s got the mile box ticked for mine and he has the tactical speed to cross from the gate and take up front running.
Only improves off his latest and has a bit of X factor.
Likely to try and go all-the-way and could hang on for a top four finish.
16. Observer (9) – Ciaron Maher
Odds: $27 (at time of publish)
Observer is the last official starter before the emergencies come into play and Ethan Brown has the ride on this Maher trained improver.
Another son of Ghaiyyath, he’s starting to put it all together now and has shown plenty of promise right from the start.
He was second to Planet Red on debut at Pakenham in May before a huge five-length victory at Sandown Lakeside over 1400m that June with Mark Zahra aboard.
His latest on September 24 was in a BM66 at Sandown Hillside when second to Thebelmontgangster over 1300m.
That’s a tricky form line to have heading straight to a Group 1 second up now.
Drawn well but not sure he’s up to the challenge just yet.
17e. Centu Cavaddi (6) – Scratched
18e. Regal Award (8) – Scratched
Happy punting!
Don’t forget to check out our The Punters’ Playbook: Caulfield Spring Carnival Deep Dive for the inside word on the jockeys, trainers and races to watch over the following months!