Feature racing goes provincial in Victoria this weekend and Ladbrokes Cranbourne Cup Day takes centre stage.
Further to the time-honoured namesake, the $1 million Ladbrokes Meteorite will also be contested for just the second time, as 14 slot holders chase their share in a big pay day.
Check out all of my Cranbourne best bets below, including 2025 Ladbrokes Cranbourne Cup tips.
STEALTH OF NIGHT resumes in a winnable race on Ladbrokes Cranbourne Cup Day.
The Night Of Thunder mare hasn’t been seen at the races since April, but she was unbeaten through two starts last time in, improving off a near miss at her only other start so far.
She’s trialled up nicely and can hit the ground running this week.
| 7. Stealth Of Night (4) J: Michael Dee 56.5kg 2x11xT: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
CAFFETTIERA takes winning form into another winnable race at Cranbourne.
She’s only made two appearances at the races so far, but Caffettiera worked home well to finish third, beaten just over a length by Quickaz on debut at Geelong in September and returned from a freshen up for an easy win in maiden company.
This is harder, but she has plenty of upside and can go on with it.
| 7. Caffettiera (1) J: Craig Williams 54kg 31T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |
BLACK PEPPERMINT has been knocking on the door in recent weeks and gets a great opportunity to win on Ladbrokes Cranbourne Cup Day.
The Americain gelding finished midfield behind the likes of Gala Queen over a mile at HQ when resuming in September, while he has since finished third in consecutive races at Seymour and Sale.
Getting out to a genuine staying trip this week is suitable, and he is drawn to receive a lovely run in transit under Luke Nolen.
| 6. Black Peppermint (5) J: Luke Nolen 59kg 7×633T: Patrick & Michelle Payne |
GUMDROPS looks well placed in the Fillies & Mares Pendant field.
She’s yet to strike in three runs back this time, but Gumdrops was only just denied by Jonny Da Wolf on the Gold Coast when resuming before hitting the line to finish less than half a length behind She’s Bulletproof in the Group 3 Northwood Plume Stakes.
Having last been seen hitting the line to finish on the placegetters’ heels in Group 3 company on Melbourne Cup Day, she’s hard fit getting back into fillies and mares’ company and drawn ideally under Ben Melham.
| 5. Gumdrops (7) J: Daniel Stackhouse 56kg 8×224T: Chris Waller |
Will Clarken has sent CASINO SHOWGIRL up from Adelaide to contest this race and I think she’ll be right in the finish.
Casino Showgirl has only made two appearances at the races so far, but after only just missing at her first appearance, she was a dominant six-length winner over 1500m at Gawler last time out.
With plenty of upside and getting into the race well under the conditions, I’m confident she can go on with it, and this is an ideal feature race.
| 9. Casino Showgirl (8) J: Declan Bates 55kg 21T: Will Clarken |
SHOCKLETZ can bounce back third up on Ladbrokes Cranbourne Cup Day.
The Shocking mare was excellent last time in, winning three of five starts and finding form around some classy opposition, while she returned to action last month for an impressive victory in BM78 grade at Sandown.
Having sustained a tough run at Flemington on Oaks Day, I’m confident she’ll be better for that hit-out and getting out to the 2025m this week.
| 5. Shockletz (6) J: Ethan Brown 57.5kg 21×15T: Ciaron Maher |
MYTEMPTATION gets a great chance to win on Ladbrokes Cranbourne Cup Day.
The Squamosa gelding returned to action with a fine performance to finish fourth, beaten a length and a half over 1100m at Caulfield in October and has since finishing second in both a BM80 sprint at The Valley and in the Ararat China Bowl.
In peak order this week, he can deliver the in-form Enver Jusufovic yard another win.
| 1. Mytemptation (9) J: Craig Williams 60kg 4×422T: Enver Jusufovic |
He has been charged with carrying topweight, but I thought that WARNIE looked a genuine each way contender in the 2025 Ladbrokes Cranbourne Cup.
He has continued to turn in competitive performances throughout busy campaign this year, and Warnie was rewarded again with an impressive victory during the Melbourne Cup Carnival when striking in the Group 2 Linlithgow Stakes.
The mile looks ideal, the booking of Ethan Brown adds further confidence, and we can have an each way play at the quote ($10 at publish).
| 1. Warnie (9) J: Ethan Brown 60kg 57421T: Ciaron Maher |
NEED SOME LUCK is second up into the Ladbrokes Meteorite, and I think it’s a perfect race for him.
He’s only missed placing twice in fifteen trips to the races so far, and the three-quarter brother to champion sprinter Chautauqua trialled up well ahead of his current campaign, putting the writing on the wall with an easy win in the Fisher Stakes first-up on Champions Stakes Day.
He’s yet to finish worse than second in four previous second up attempts and with even luck in the run, he looks up to something like this.
| 6. Need Some Luck (9) J: Michael Dee 58kg 228×1T: Peter Snowden |
CELERITY resumes for Ciaron Maher in the last on Ladbrokes Cranbourne Cup Day.
The well-bred mare raced consistently in seven starts for James Cummings, finding form around some credible opposition.
She’s had the benefit of a couple of trials ahead of what looks a suitable campaign launchpad this week.
| 13. Celerity (2) J: Carleen Hefel 54kg x213xT: Ciaron Maher |