Caulfield Racing Preview – Saturday May 13th

Nine talent-rich races are slated for Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne on Saturday, featuring several horses that will be set for feature races throughout the winter.

Charlevoix is set to run in Race 6 at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Charlevoix is set to run in Race 6 at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Several previous winners amongst black type company will take their respective places in one of the nine races at Caulfield on Saturday and we have studied every horse in detail, in order to help you find a winner this weekend.

Race 1 (11:50am) Chef’s Hat Plate (1100m)

Ten two-year-olds will take to the barriers for Race 1 at Caulfield on Saturday and it is a particularly open betting affair. Only four of the ten contestants have competition experience and Easy Beast (barrier 6) appears the horse to beat. The Super Easy colt savaged the line for a close second in the TCL Maiden (1000m) on May 5th and will enjoy a step up in distance. Robbie Laing has an opinion of Evil Cry (barrier 7) and the colt will return to the track after a strong barrier trial. Found Out (barrier 1) and Mister Yeoh (barrier 9) both appear ready for strong debuts.

Tip: No 1. Easy Beat ($4.20)

Race 2 (12:25pm) Arvanitis Philanthropy Plate (1100m)

Contested under handicap conditions, Race 2 at Caulfield has drawn several notable Saturday horses. Shaf (barrier 9) clearly required a run when tenth in the James Boag’s Premium Plate (1000m) first-up in March, but returned from a freshen-up for a credible fourth in the Listed Oakbank Stakes (1100m) on April 15th and should carry plenty of benefit into this race. Sunday Escape (barrier 3) is amidst a long and busy preparation, but he has performed well amongst better company that this and could find his race on Saturday. Spreadeagled (barrier 8) will find no problem performing well with only 54.5kgs in tow, but has drawn into the field wide.

Tip: No. 2 Shaf ($4)

Race 3 (1:00pm) Pancare Foundation Plate (1400m)

Godolphin gelding Fragonard (barrier 2) has drawn ideally into the Pancare Foundation Plate field and carries winning form into the race, but he will have to improve if he is to lug 60kgs in victory in Race 3. Leotie (barrier 5) failed to produce much at her last start, but trainer Henry Dwyer has a big opinion of the filly and she could suit the conditions of this race third-up, at good odds. Extra Olives (barrier 6) has been somewhat inconsistent this time in, but is more than capable of winning this race, while a horse like Fromparis Withlove (barrier 12) is also more than capable in current form and under the conditions of the race.

Tip: No. 3 Leotie – Each Way ($16/$4.50)

Race 4 (1:35pm) Recycal Handicap (1400m)

A capacity field of sixteen has been confirmed for the Recycal Handicap and a case can be made for close to half the field. Coram (barrier 9) has finished in the minors in his last four starts and will be partnered by in-form hoop Ben Thompson in this race. Since returning from a freshen-up, the smart gelding has placed third in a Bendigo minor over 1300m and second in the RSL Bm84 (1200m) on April 25th and appears as though he will enjoy a return to 1400m. Thelburg (barrier 13) returned to winning form with ease at his last start, but has drawn awkwardly into this field. The Written Tycoon gelding steps back in noticeably in weights this time and would not look out of place in the winner’s stall. Act Of Valour (barrier 15) has accepted into several fields on Saturday, but is a live chance if he steps out at Caulfield.

Tip: No. 5 Thelburgh ($4.80)

Race 5 (2:15pm) Ladbrokes Handicap (1600m)

Arguably the field of the day will step out for the Ladbrokes Handicap and we are set for an exciting contest. Darren Weir will saddle two live chances in the form of Killarney Kid (barrier 8) and Kenjorwood (barrier 10); both of whom are more than capable. Former Caulfield Cup contestant Magnapal (barrier 4) has drawn ideally into this field, is weighted well and is sure to carry improvement from his second-up fifth in the Warracknabeal Cup (1600m) on April 15th. Onpicalo (barrier 7) and Petrology (barrier 2) have both raced twice this season and should be nearing peak condition when they take their places in the Ladbrokes Handicap. Rose Of Virginia (barrier 5) will make her first appearance at the races since last year’s Melbourne Cup and will undoubtedly require the run.

Tip: No. 1 Killarney Kid – Each Way ($11/$3.20)

Race 6 (2:55pm) Chandler Macleod Handicap (2000m)

Thirteen horses remain in contention for Race 6 following two scratchings and there is several winning chances amongst the fold. Neverland (barrier 14) is another horse that has been confirmed in several race fields this weekend, but is a winning chance under the conditions of this race should Darren Weir elect to saddle in Melbourne. Charlevoix (barrier 12) is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from his first-up run, will relish the conditions of the Chandler Macleod Handicap and is weighted to win at only 56kgs. Hursley (barrier 9) has finished a close second in each of his last four starts and represents good value at current odds.

Tip: No. 12 Charlevoix – Each Way ($13/$3.90)

Race 7 (3:35pm) Noel Rundle Handicap (2000m)

A talent-stacked field has been confirmed for the Noel Rundle Handicap and a number of horses targeting winter feature races are set to line up for the race. Mongolian Wolf (barrier 5) has also accepted into the field for the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) in Brisbane, but should prove extremely tough to beat if trainer Darren Weir elects to keep the horse in Melbourne. All Of Out Love (barrier 15) and Ceylon (barrier) 11 have both registered terrific form this season, but will need luck early from potentially sticky draws. Fontein Lad (barrier 10) has been charged with carrying only 54kgs and is also in the right form to return to the winner’s circle in this race.

Tip: No. 8 Fontein Lad – Each Way ($8.50/$2.85)

Race 8 (4:15pm) Clanbrooke Racing Handicap (1200m)

An outstanding field of three-year-olds is set to contest the Clanbrooke Racing Handicap, including Artie Dee Two (barrier 11). The Darren Weir-trained colt was an impressive winner over notable company in the PKF Plate (1200m) at Moonee Valley on March 24th and is sure to have taken benefit from his first run after a freshen-up a fortnight ago. Highland Beat (barrier 4) is more than capable amongst this sort of company and should prove tough to beat second-up from a good draw. Wazzenme (barrier 5) has not been able to replicate is Spring Carnival form this season, but is arguably offered his best chance of a return to winning form this weekend. Wise Hero (barrier 7) returned to the races for a smart win two weeks ago and is set to start race favourite.

Tip: No. 2 Artie Dee Two – Each Way ($7.50/$2.70)

Race 9 (4:40pm) Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (1200m)

An open field is set to contest the final race at Caulfield on Saturday and it is another opportunity for several horses to return to winning form. Grey Street (barrier 12) has been nothing short of excellent this time in and the John McArdle galloper should again prove tough to beat in this race. Having finished second in each of the Jacob Schweppe BM84 (1200m) and Bert Bryant BM78 (1100m), the Street Boss mare returned to winning form with a dominant performance at Caulfield a fortnight ago. Main dangers include Majestic Lass (barrier 14), Tykiato (barrier 4) and Invincible Heart (barrier 10).

Tip: No. 7 Grey Street ($4.20)

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.