It’s been a big week in racing, with Racing NSW boss Peter V’Landys suggesting the Melbourne Cup should be moved further back in the spring (not the worst idea), before Darren Weir and his former team were hit with a string of police charges.
Without wanting to skip over these talking points, they might be better discussed once the shock factor evaporates.
The positive is that the Melbourne Racing Club has assembled some excellent fields for Caulfield Guineas day and the feature race looks to be a cracker.
Below I’ve taken a look at each runner in the race and put together my thoughts on their chances.
Good luck if you’re having a punt.
1. Yourdeel (9)
Three-year-old gelding.
Trainers: David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig.
Jockey: Michael Walker, 56.5kg.
Record: 8:4-1-1.
Prizemoney: $361,209.
Odds: $51.
I love the breeding profile of this fellow and sadly we didn’t get to see how he is travelling in the Guineas Prelude after he lost his rider. The former Kiwi showed plenty of talent across the ditch and hasn’t really raced over a suitable distance since arriving Down Under.
He’s not the worst roughie in the race, but I couldn’t tip him with confidence.
2. Dalasan (18)
Three-year-old colt.
Trainers: Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas.
Jockey: Hugh Bowman, 56.5kg.
Record: 6:4-2-0.
Prizemoney: $362,095.
Odds: $3.20.
Did a bit wrong in the prelude but you couldn’t ignore the way he finished off the last 100 metres. He would have been shorter in the market if he drew a better barrier, but hopefully he’s a bit sharper on the back of his last run and Hugh Bowman can get him to get moving a little quicker on Saturday.
I think he’s a winning chance and could certainly claim the cash, but he’s pretty short to be piling in.
3. Alligator Blood (13)
Three-year-old gelding.
Trainer: David Vandyke.
Jockey: Ryan Maloney, 56.5kg.
Record: 5:5-0-0.
Prizemoney: $289,250.
Odds: $4.80.
My old mentor Phil Purser used to tell me: “Don’t back against unbeaten horses”. This horse has raced five times for five wins and got the chocolates a fortnight ago in the prelude.
Ryan Maloney gave him a peach of a ride that day from a good barrier. Whether he gets that kind of run this Saturday remains to be seen. Has to be considered one of the best hopes in the race and has the breeding to suggest the mile will be of no concern.
4. Kubrick (17)
Three-year-old colt.
Trainer: Chris Waller.
Jockey: James McDonald, 56.5kg.
Record: 5:2-1-0.
Prizemoney: $244,050.
Odds: $8.50.
The trip to Victoria might do this colt the world of good, but I can’t back him with any kind of confidence. He’s not going that well this spring and I think there are others with better claims.
5. Super Seth (5)
Three-year-old colt.
Trainer: Anthony Freedman.
Jockey: Mark Zahra, 56.5kg.
Record: 6:3-0-1.
Prizemoney: $207,600.
Odds: $12.
This one-time boom colt made my list of horses to watch this spring and I’ve been watching with keen interest. He won first-up in the McNeil but hasn’t set the world on fire since.
This son of Dundeel will appreciate the better barrier after drawing wide in the prelude and is definitely one to include in your exotics if he brings his best form.
6. The Holy One (4)
Three-year-old colt.
Trainers: Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young.
Jockey: Brett Prebble, 56.5kg.
Record: 5:3-0-0.
Prizemoney: $175,000.
Odds: $20.
Stable is flying so you have to respect that, plus he’s one horse in the field that has actually won over 1600m. You couldn’t fault the win in the Stutt Stakes and I think the odds are pretty generous considering this is an even bunch of three-year-olds.
He will make his own luck on the pace.
7. Suberdar (7)
Three-year-old gelding.
Trainer: James Cummings.
Jockey: Brad Rawiller, 56.5kg.
Record: 5:2-2-0.
Prizemoney: $172,115.
Odds: $14.
A big stable horse who has been rock solid in all five career runs to date. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him run a big race, but I think there are others who deserve consideration.
8. Skiddaw (6)
Three-year-old colt.
Trainer: Danny O’Brien.
Jockey: Damien Oliver, 56.5kg.
Record: 7:2-0-1.
Prizemoney: $120,200.
Odds: $34.
Won over the track and distance a few weeks ago, albeit in much weaker company. Damien Oliver will give him every chance but he’ll be struggling to keep up when the sprint goes on.
9. Creator (19)
Scratched.
10. Roccabascerana (1)
Three-year-old gelding.
Trainer: David Jolly.
Jockey: Linda Meech, 56.5kg.
Record: 4:3-0-0.
Prizemoney: $95,250.
Odds: $12.
I tipped him and backed him in the prelude and he ran a credible fourth. Linda Meech didn’t really do anything wrong when in front, but the horse just got beaten.
I think from barrier one Meech can either lead again or take a sit behind The Holy One. I don’t think he can lead all the way and win, but if he box seats behind the leader, this son of Fighting Sun can run a huge race.
11. Stand to Attention (3)
Three-year-old colt.
Trainers: Leon and Troy Corstens.
Jockey: James Winks, 56.5kg.
Record: 8:1-3-0.
Prizemoney: $97,560.
Odds: $71.
He’s won once in eight starts and that was in a maiden on the synthetic at Pakenham. Not even some Leon Corsten’s magic could get him over the line.
(AAP Image/Mark Dadswell)
12. Conqueror (2)
Three-year-old colt.
Trainers: David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig.
Jockey: Damian Lane, 56.5kg.
Record: 6:1-2-1.
Prizemoney: $72,200.
Odds: $26.
Love the stable, love the jockey, don’t love the horse. Like Stand to Attention, his only win came on a synthetic track at Pakenham. He won’t disgrace himself, but he doesn’t have the class to win.
13. Vegas Knight (10)
Three-year-old gelding.
Trainer: Colin Little.
Jockey: Craig Williams, 56.5kg.
Record: 6:1-1-2.
Prizemoney: $65,140.
Odds: $26.
He had every possible chance to win the Stutt Stakes and didn’t. Craig Williams will give him every opportunity to be there in the finish but I just think there are better prospects in this Group 1 race.
14. Eric The Eel (16)
Three-year-old gelding.
Trainer: Stuart Kendrick.
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy, 56.5kg.
Record: 8:2-2-1.
Prizemoney: $64,850.
Odds: $41.
A bit like the swimmer he was named after, this son of Olympic Glory won’t be anywhere near the podium on Saturday.
15. Soul Patch (14)
Three-year-old colt.
Trainer: Ken Keys.
Jockey: Dwayne Dunn, 56.5kg.
Record: 3:2-1-0.
Prizemoney: $91,650.
Odds: $17.
Ken Keys and a lightly raced three-year-old? Yes please. The master from eastern Victoria knows how to train and this son of Shamus Award might spring a surprise on Saturday.
He hasn’t put in a bad one yet and his father ran third in this race before winning the Cox Plate. Not the worst horse at double-figure odds.
16. Express Pass (8)
Three-year-old colt.
Trainer: Nick Ryan.
Jockey: Ben Melham.
Record: 4:1-0-2.
Prizemoney: $51,850.
Odds: $19.
Went past a few in the prelude and draw better this time around, so could finish in the top half-dozen. But I don’t think he can be in the finish.
17. Exeter (15)
Three-year-old colt.
Trainers: David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig.
Jockey: Luke Nolen, 56.5kg.
Record: 6:2-0-0.
Prizemoney: $62,500.
Odds: $101.
Respect the stable, but this horse has got as much chance of me riding in the Melbourne Cup.
(AAP Image/George Salpigtidis)
18. Groundswell (12) EMG
Three-year-old colt.
Trainer: Anthony Freedman.
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy, 56.5kg.
Record: 3:1-0-1.
Prizemoney: $43,500.
Odds: $14.
Needs one more scratching to get a run and has been kept safe in betting. Ran a nice third in the prelude and comes from a good yard. If he gains a start, include in your exotics.
19. Serengeti (11) EMG
Three-year-old gelding.
Trainer: Pat Carey.
Jockey: TBA.
Record: 5:0-1-0.
Prizemoney: $21,200.
Odds: $51.
Hasn’t won a race, needs two more scratchings to get a start and won’t be winning this.
Summary
The best horse in the race is probably the favourite Dalasan. But he’s drawn badly and laid in a little down the straight last run. He would need luck to go his way to win.
I think the horse I tipped a fortnight ago, Roccabascerana, is still great value. He’ll either lead or sit behind the leader and be given every possible chance by Linda Meech. At double-figure odds, I’d be backing him or Soul Patch. Yourdeel could be the best of the roughies.
Suggested bet: Roccabascerana and Soul Patch (each-way).
Nathan Absalom
Roar Guru
Hope you backed Cape of Good Hope, Aransan!
Omnitrader
Roar Rookie
Subedar bringing the shadow hero form, could be good value.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I've been touting Dalasan for this Guineas since his first start in Morphettville in February. I am a big Leon Macdonald fan. But I have been worried in recent weeks that he is still so green and hasn't matured as expected, and he may need more time ? And now he has drawn barrier 18 to boot. But on the other hand he has blinkers on for the first time, which may help, and Hughie in the saddle. I took 20's early in the piece on him and I'm still hoping his class shines through on the day. The main threats I see to him apart from the barrier are The Holy See, Super Seth, Subedar & Groundswell ( if it gets a start).
Nathan Absalom
Roar Guru
After a quick skim of the field, the two emergencies Groundswell and Serengeti have interesting breeding. Groundswell is out of The Broken Shore, who didn't do that much on the track although was placed behind VRC Oaks winner Dear Demi as a 2yo, but also produced Shoals. Serengeti is out of Group one winner Gondokoro who also was beaten by Dear Demi in the Doomben roses despite lodging a protest (am still bitter about that one). Both of them put in decent trials, but I expect Serengeti would appreciate a significantly faster pace than Groundswell. Both trainers are no strangers to Group One winners at odds, either. Other horses I'd have to do a bit more reading I'm afraid.
Nathan Absalom
Roar Guru
Should say top tier horses, champions is a bit strong.
Nathan Absalom
Roar Guru
Talking about breeding, I see one of the imports in the Caulfield Stakes, Cape of Good Hope is out of Hveger, making it a full brother to Highland Reel. Hveger was by Danehill out of former Caulfield Cup placegetter Circles of Gold who also produced Elvestroem and Haradasun. Funny old race the Guineas. Winners list of champions interrupted by the odd massive longshot that subsequently did nothing, Econsul and Mighty Boss spring to mind.
Aransan
Roar Rookie
It is a stallion making race so it would have been good to see their breeding -- sire, dam and dam sire.
Bernard
Guest
Never had S winner