The sun is finally shining for a midweek meeting in Melbourne as we look ahead to a stacked eight-race card at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday.
There’s quality in just about every contest, and we should be racing on a Good 4 surface with the rail in the true position right around the course.
To see who we’re tipping, as well as some form analysis on all the key runners, check out our race-by-race Caulfield-Heath Preview down below!
SCAROLE (7) is fourth-up now for Ciaron Maher and ready to win.
The colt to Ole Kirk rolled forward and settled third last time out at Sandown Hillside over the same trip, holding his position all the way to grab second in a blanket finish beaten only 1.5 lengths.
He showed some nice late speed when the pressure came and gets in with 1kg off now under Thomas Stockdale. Racing on a dry track for the first time should also help his cause.
| 7. Scarole (8) J: Thomas Stockdale 57kg 822T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Racing well recently. Most recently sat on speed throughout when 2nd of 8 in a 3yo Mdn-Sw at Sandown-Hillside on September 2 over 1500m, slow going 1.5 len behind Boys Bounce with 58kg at $8. Before that held ground to the line 2nd of 12 in a Mdn-Sw at Ballarat Synthetic on August 18 over 1400m, neck behind Stuntman with 57kg at $6. Well placed. Can break through. | |||
TWISTED LOVE (5) has each-way claims in a wide-open contest over the mile.
She’s a mare that doesn’t win out of turn, but there was plenty to like about her return effort off a spell at Mornington two weeks ago, charging home down the outside to finish half a length off in second with plenty left to give.
Gavin Bedgood’s mare is likely looking for longer still, but with a win and a place to her name over 1600m and a bit of relief at the weights, she’s a major contender if she can produce that same turn of foot.
| 5. Twisted Love (6) J: Jamie Mott 56.5kg 196×2T: Gavin Bedggood | |||
| Second run back. First-up after six months came from the tail of the field 2nd of 12 in a Bm62 at Mornington on September 4 over 1500m, slow going 0.5 len behind Coronationhercules with 58.5kg at $17. Previously second-up 2nd in a small field in a Bm66 at Nowra on January 11 over 1600m, nose behind Etched In Time with 58kg at $7. Fitter and an each way hope. | |||
INNER GOLD (3) is making his fourth start for Ciaron Maher and appears to be trending in the right direction.
The colt by Zoustar was three-wide last time out at Sandown over 1200m, finishing down the order in the end behind in a race that has produced some very strong form lines since.
The booking of Mark Zahra is notable and signals some intent from the stable, while I also like him back slightly in trip off a four-week break.
| 3. Inner Gold (3) J: Mark Zahra 58kg 57×6T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months 6th of 8 in a 3yo C&G Mdn-Sw at Sandown-Lakeside on August 19 over 1200m, slow going 4 len behind Somethings Burnin’ carrying 58kg at $12. Previously second-up 7th of 10 in the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Flemington on March 7 over 1400m, 6 len behind Grinzinger Heart carrying 57kg at $21. Well placed here, big chance. | |||
SUPERBEC (11) likes to race on the speed and is expected to be prominent early on from a wide barrier.
The daughter to Kingman has gone close on a couple of occasions over four starts to date, notably running third at Flemington when resuming in August over a shorter trip.
She was outclassed in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes second-up, but really showed some nice improvement last time out at Sandown back over 1000m when making up late ground to run a narrow second.
Fitter now and up again in trip, she’ll be one of the hardest to catch back on a dry deck.
| 11. Superbec (13) J: Ben Allen 57kg 5302T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin | |||
| Last start 2nd of 10 in a 3yo F Mdn-Sw at Sandown-Hillside on September 2 over 1000m, on a slow track; head behind Smoky Kitchen with 57kg at $7. The start before that ran second last of 16 in the G3 Quezette Stakes at Caulfield on August 15 over 1100m, on a slow track; 11 len behind Natural Fling with 56kg at $91. Can roll forward and give a sight. | |||
KILLENAULE (8) is easy to have on recent form.
He’s gone agonisingly close in all three starts this prep, running a place on each occasion from tricky barriers throughout.
Ciaron Maher’s galloper was forced to make up some extra ground last time out at Sandown over the same trip, and although he was beaten three-quarters of a length, he should be much better for the run.
Maps to get back early from the gate this time and he should be launching late when it counts for a well overdue victory.
| 8. Killenaule (9) J: Jabez Johnstone 56.5kg 8×232T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Racing well recently. Most recently 2nd of 13 in a Bm66 at Sandown-Hillside on September 2 over 1800m, slow going 0.8 len behind Emperor Tzu with 58kg at $6.50. The race before that 3rd of 13 in a Bm66 at Sandown-Lakeside on August 19 over 1600m, on a slow track; 1.5 len behind Gold Chariot carrying 58kg at $8. Looks set to break through. | |||
CABRIOLE (11) resumes for Team Freedman and rates one of the better bets of the day.
The son to Lonhro strikes a big field in this short sprint contest, but we got a good look at what he’s all about earlier in the autumn when he strung together a pair of impressive victories by a combined 8+ lengths at Geelong and Sale.
Some form around recent Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes place-getter Autumn Boy also stands out back when he was a 3YO, and following some encouraging recent jump outs, he should be ready to fire here fresh with Mark Zahra on board.
| 11. Cabriole (9) J: Mark Zahra 57kg x113xT: Anthony & Sam Freedman | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of three-and-a-half months. Finished off last preparation third of 10 at Caulfield 3yo Hcp May 30 over 1100m, on rain affected going; 1.75 len behind Choir Point with 57kg at $3.60. Previous preparation first-up favourite; to post a big 5.5 len win. Geelong Mdn-Sw April 10 over 1112m slow track defeating Flying Capital with 59kg at $1.45. Talented type who can take this out. | |||
IN’KANTOSSTAR (8) is another short-priced favourite that looks incredibly tough to beat.
The four-year-old son to Per Incanto has his eyes on a hat-trick of wins now after rising through the grades in impressive style winning by big margins at Ballarat and Geelong.
He’s drawn perfectly in barrier 2 for this assignment with Ethan Brown sticking and figures to be a major player up on the speed in the early stages.
| 8. In’Kantosstar (2) J: Ethan Brown 58kg 2×11T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 2.75 len in a Mdn-Sw at Ballarat Synthetic on August 11 over 1200m defeating Roll On Big Red carrying 59.5kg at $1.24. Last start favourite; came from midfield and won by 1.75 len in a Bm62 at Geelong on August 28 over 1347m on a soft track defeating Yauson carrying 60kg at $2.15. Progressive gelding who will take a power of beating again. | |||
Keen to see what ATTACHMENTS (7) can produce off a bit of a break.
We last saw her landing around midfield at Cranbourne in late February where she was found to have some issues post-race, but her two recent jump outs suggest she’s bounced back well enough to be a threat first-up.
Archie Alexander’s mare has run some nice races fresh and still has enormous upside as a lightly-raced five-year-old.
Capable of handling 1200m back from a break, she’s a worthwhile each-way chance in a tricky contest to end the day.
| 7. Attachments (7) J: Holly Durnan 57kg 1426xT: Archie Alexander | |||
| Mare returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign sixth of 10 at Cranbourne Bm66 February 27 over 1200m, 3 len behind Markdel with 58kg at $1.60. When resuming last campaign second of 7 at Mornington Bm66 November 2 over 1200m, a head behind Recon with 58kg at $13. Should run well. | |||