The Moonee Valley Racing Club hosts its first meeting of the season on the Caulfield Heath this Saturday, August 8th.
The rail will be set out three metres around the entire course, while the track is rated in the Soft (6) range at publish.
With that in mind, you can find my Caulfield Heath preview and best bets below.
STAKES is third up into a nice race on the Caulfield Heath.
Having stamped himself as one to follow by getting up on debut at Bendigo last month, Stakes took improvement into a nice run for third, beaten a little over a length and a half over 1100m on the main course here at Caulfield at his only other appearance.
He’s open to plenty of improvement and another rise in trip looks to suit.
| 7. Stakes (7) J: Jye Mcneil 54.5kg 13T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Raced two times to date. When well in the market at debut, raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by a nose at Bendigo Mdn-Sw July 5 over 1100m in heavy going defeating Royal Duck carrying 57kg at $2.60. Second-up ran on strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 9 at Caulfield 2yo Hcp on July 25 over 1100m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind Doubt Time carrying 55kg at $5. Going well. | |||
CELTICS gets a good opportunity to win this week.
The I Am Invinicible gelding was excellent at the beginning of his preparation, and after working home well in BM62 company off a freshen up in late June, he’s only been denied in a couple of good races on the main track here since.
In peak order, out to the 1500m and from a perfect draw, I think he gets plenty of ticks again.
| 11. Celtics (5) J: Lachlan Neindorf 59.5kg 16422T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Recent form sound. Most recently 2nd of 11 at Caulfield 3yo Hcp on July 25 over 1400m, on a slow track; neck behind Lauberhorn carrying 55.5kg at $9.50. Before that 2nd of 10 at Caulfield 3yo Hcp on July 11 over 1400m, slow going 1.0 len behind Cruiserweight with 54kg at $8. | |||
Off a four-week let-up, I’m keen to have something on BAZABALL REWARDED on the Caulfield Heath this week.
She finished seventh, though beaten only two and a half lengths in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes last time out and prior to that, was a strong and consistent performer in races not dissimilar to this one.
With the benefit of that freshen up, she looks perfectly placed in something of this quality and should get her chance with only seven other gallopers engaged.
| 5. Bazaball Rewarded (6) J: Teo Nugent 53kg 15127T: Kelvin Southey | |||
| Most recently 7th of 11 at Caulfield in the G3 J Monash on July 11 over 1100m, slow going 2.5 len behind Winnasedge with 56.5kg at $7.50. The start before that rolled along in front before being edged out 2nd of 12 at Caulfield Bm84 on June 27 over 1100m, on a slow track; 1.3 len behind Winnasedge with 59.5kg at $4.40. | |||
HI VAL is a horse that I am confident can go on with it in Saturday metro company this week.
Hi Val has improved noticeably with each of three runs back this time, and after only just missing out at Bendigo in late June, she was last seen mustering a big turn of speed to swallow up her rivals at Sandown.
From the wide alley, she can settle off the speed again and with the benefit of in-form apprentice Jabez Johnstone’s claim, she gets into the race very well.
| 8. Hi Val (9) J: Jabez Johnstone 56.5kg 5×621T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Form hard to fault. Last start favourite; won by 1.3 len at Sandown-Hillside 3yo F Bm64 July 22 over 1400m in soft going defeating Circus Lights with 59kg at $3.20. The race before that made ground from midfield; 2nd of 14 at Bendigo F&M Bm62 on June 25 over 1300m, slow going 0.5 len behind Lantana with 57.5kg at $15. | |||
I’m happy to give NORDIC STRIKE another chance this week.
While yet to strike in four runs back, Nordic Strike hasn’t been far away on any occasion and hit the line behind Walter Spur at Sandown last time out, beaten a head.
He’s another that drops in the weights under Jabez Johnstone and with no real standout engaged in this contest, Nordic Strike is a horse that can certainly capitalise.
| 12. Nordic Strike (8) J: Jabez Johnstone 56kg x2352T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Last start held ground to the line 2nd of 8 at Sandown-Hillside Bm70 on July 29 over 1000m, on rain affected going; long-neck behind Walter Spur with 56kg at $3.50. The race before that raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 11 at Sandown-Hillside 3yo Bm64 on July 15 over 1000m, on rain affected going; 1.75 len behind Final Moment carrying 58kg at $6. Nice effort last time. | |||
CUSTOM takes winning form into another nice race this week.
She couldn’t have done a lot more without winning over 1200m on the main course here when resuming in June, while Custom was kept fresh and stormed home to a dominant win at the same track and trip a fortnight ago.
Stepping out this week and nearing peak order, she’s treated very well under handicap conditions, and I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish again.
| 9. Custom (6) J: Jabez Johnstone 54kg 44×21T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 9 at Caulfield 3yo F Hcp on June 27 over 1200m, slow going long-neck behind Afterberna carrying 59kg at $5.50. Last start favourite; won by 3 len at Caulfield F&M Bm74 July 25 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Sun Setting with 56.5kg at $2.35. | |||
MADERO is on the quick back-up this weekend.
The Lope De Vega entire has improved with each of four runs since arriving in Australia, and though he was well beaten by an impressive Touchdown at Flemington last weekend, there was still plenty to like about his run.
With further benefit for that hit-out, he’s getting out to a more appropriate trip this week and has each way claims once more.
| 2. Madero (15) J: Jackson Radley 62kg 6×064T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Most recently 4th of 14 at Flemington Bm78 on August 1 over 1620m, 5 len behind Touchdown carrying 57.5kg at $31. The race before that 6th of 14 at Sandown-Hillside Bm78 on July 15 over 1400m, on heavy track; 6 len behind Kahhof with 61kg at $81. | |||
FIRST CHORUS chases a hat-trick of victories at Caulfield Heath this weekend.
Having saluted over a mile on the Caulfield main course bac in May, First Chorus was fair without threatening three and four runs back but is since undefeated back in similar company to what she strikes on Saturday.
She’s in peak order and does get out to the 1800m for the first time, but everything that she has done so far has suggested she’ll have no problems with it.
| 8. First Chorus (6) J: Luke Cartwright 55kg 15611T: Lindsey Smith | |||
| Chasing a hat-trick. Most recently favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 2.25 len at Caulfield Bm100 July 25 over 1600m on a soft track defeating Magnaspin with 51.5kg at $2.40. The race before that favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by a head at Caulfield Bm84 July 11 over 1700m in soft going defeating Makdane carrying 56.5kg at $2.80. | |||
CHANGING COLOURS rates as a key chance of making it two wins on the bounce this weekend.
She worked home well to finish on the placegetters’ heels, beaten less than two lengths at Flemington when resuming in June before taking plenty of improvement into an easy win out to the mile last time.
Blake Shinn gets into the saddle this week, the horse is open to further improvement and from the low draw, she should receive every chance in the run.
| 8. Changing Colours (2) J: Blake Shinn 56.5kg 27×41T: Lucy Yeomans | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming 4th of 13 at Flemington F&M Bm90 on June 20 over 1420m, slow going 2 len behind Stylish carrying 52.5kg at $14. Second-up favourite; won by 2 len at Flemington F&M Bm78 July 18 over 1600m on a rain affected track defeating Street Lark carrying 57.5kg at $4.40. | |||