Caulfield Racing Preview – Saturday July 1st

Nine talent rich races are to run at Caulfield Racecourse; the major card in Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.

Kaniana will step out at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Kaniana will step out at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Classy and open fields have been confirmed for every race at Caulfield on Saturday, but we analysed each horse in detail, in order to help you find a winner.

The action is set to get underway with the running of the Schweppes Handicap (1200m) for two-year-olds at 11:40am local time and the day will draw to a close following the Quayclean Handicap at 4:40pm.

Race 1 (11:40m) Schweppes Handicap (1200m)

Eleven two-year-olds will step out for the Schweppes Handicap on Saturday morning, however it is the Coolmore-owned Lone Eagle that will prove extremely tough to beat. While yet to produce a race win, the Zoffany colt has shown plenty in barrier trials and his work and is arguably offered his best chance of a win in this race. Evil Cry (barrier 1) has steadily built to the task this time and appears set to peak in the Schweppes Handicap, while River Jewel (barrier 5) carries winning form into the race and is worth consideration in betting markets as an each-way chance. Pure Emotion (barrier 3) has shown plenty of ability through her short career so far and is also worth consideration at double-figure odds.

Tip: No. 3 Lone Eagle ($2.90)

Race 2 (12:15pm) Dream Thoroughbreds Handicap (2000m)

Fourteen horses remain in contention for Race 2 at Caulfield following scratchings, including the Darren Weir-trained Kiwia (barrier 7). Kiwia is yet to finish outside the first three through a short and impressive racing career and the three-year-old should again be right in the finish of this race from a good draw. Royal Order (barrier 5) is seeking a third-consecutive race win and could receive the run of the race from barrier 5, while there is also cases to be made for both Atlantic Fox (barrier 16) and Toffatin (barrier 4); the former’s chances perhaps skewed slightly after drawing the outside gate. Arohata (barrier 14) also would not look out of place in the winner’s circle in current form.

Tip: 12 Arohata – Each Way ($21/$5.50)

Race 3 (12:50pm) Sheen Group Plate (1600m)

A capacity field has been taken for Race 3 and it is rich with live chances; leading to a valuable race from a betting perspective. Ayers Rock (barrier 8) returned to the races for sixth in a Sale race over 1400m on June 18th and will enjoy a step up in distance. Carrying virtually no weight, the horse should find little issue in taking up the running from barrier 8. Hardington (barrier 15) returns from a spell, but has trialled well in the lead-up to this race, while Cosmic Lights (barrier 3) carries strong and consistent form into the race and should be prominent throughout from an inside draw. Curragh (barrier 5) has also been strong and consistent amongst similar fields this time, but has been charged with overcoming a heavy weight.

Tip: No. 16 Ayers Rock – Each Way ($26/$7.10)

Race 4 (1:35pm) Sheamus Mills Bloodstock Handicap (1100m)

There is several live chances confirmed in the field for Race 4 at Caulfield on Saturday and this is subsequently another race which offers punters plenty of value. Clipper (barrier 2) has been outstanding this time and is seeking a third-consecutive race win in the race. While charged with topweight, the Beneteau filly won a Highway Handicap by three lengths last time and will be tough to beat again on Saturday. Tris (barrier 18) has gone slightly amiss at his two most-recent starts, but is up to the class of this race and not without a hope of swooping late from a wide draw. Miss Iano (barrier 11), Unique Lovely (barrier 14) and Misty Girl (barrier 3) are all seeking to continue a winning run of form.

Tip: No. 1 Clipper ($4.60)

Race 5 (2:05pm) Tile Importer Handicap (1200m)

Eleven horses have been confirmed in the field for the Tile Importer Handicap; arguably the classiest field of the day at Caulfield on Saturday. Whistle Baby (barrier 11) has been close all season and is on the verge of retiring into a career as a broodmare. Forgeress (barrier 12) failed to fire first-up but should improve, while Grey Street (barrier 10) and Snake Charmer (barrier 9) are both more than up to the class of this race. Foreign Affair (barrier 7) has steadily built to the task this time and is ready to peak in this race.

Tip: No. 4 Grey Street – Each Way ($6.50/$2.45)

Race 6 (2:45pm) SecureCorp Handicap (1400m)

Several smart runners will take to the barriers at Caulfield on Saturday for Race 5, including Nikitas (barrier 11). The former Queenslander has thrived under the care of Darren Weir; winning in his first start before finishing a close second in each of his two most-recent appearances. Revolving Door (barrier 10) returned to the races for a smart win at Moonee Valley a fortnight ago and will only improve into this race, while Valliano (barrier 15) is always a threat amongst company similar to this. Enigman (barrier 3) is drawn to receive a great run in transit from an inside draw and has the notable advantage of Craig Williams in the saddle.

Tip: No. 2 Nikitas ($4.80)

Race 7 (3:25pm) Moorookyle Park Handicap (1400m)

Several talented sprinters will contest Race 7 at Caulfield on Saturday, including Royal Island (barrier 8). The veteran ran on for a smart fifth in the Golden Topaz (1200m) on June 9th and will enjoy a step back in class, while Floral Fever (barrier 18) is seeking a return to winning form after a strong performance for third in the Embassy Print Solutions Plate (1200m) at Moonee Valley a fortnight ago. Violent Snow (barrier 10) has shown plenty of ability and is not without a chance with champion hoop Damien Oliver aboard, while Eximius (barrier 16) will have to overcome a wide draw, but carries competitive form into the race.

Tip: 5 Royal Island – Each Way ($26/$7.10)

Race 8 (4:05pm) Ladbrokes Handicap (1200m)

Several competitive Saturday-grade horses will be in action in Race 8 at Caulfield on Saturday. Divine Mr Artie (barrier 13) returns from a spell and may need the run to find peak condition. Act Of Valour (barrier 5) has been a strong and consistent performer this time and is probably the horse to beat in this field, while Wind Force (barrier 1) carries winning form into the race, is drawn and weighted well and is certainly not without a chance. Zara Bay (barrier 7) is improve off her first start second in the Zouki BM84 (1000m) at Moonee Valley a fortnight ago and will enjoy a step up in distance. Portman (barrier 8) failed to finish outside the first three last campaign and should be given every chance to win his first-up start this weekend.

Tip: No. 5 Act Of Valour – Each Way ($6/$2.30)

Race 9 (4:40pm) Quayclean Handicap (1800m)

Racing draws to a close at Caulfield on Saturday with the running of the Quayclean Handicap. Veterans Longeron (barrier 13) and Jacquinot Bay (barrier 1) are both always chances in races like this. Kaniana (barrier 14) is weighted well and should find a good position off the early pace from a wide draw, while South Australian raider Beluga Blue (barrier 12) will look to continue a competitive run of form. Magic Consol (barrier 8) faces a step up in class, but has been excellent of late and is worthy of a start amongst this company.

Tip: No. 10 Kaniana – Each Way ($11/$3.70)

About The Author

Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.