The Valley @ Caulfield Heath Preview – Saturday 8th August

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.