Racing Preview – Sat 10 Oct

Caulfield Guineas – Caulfield
The Caulfield Spring Carnival takes off this Saturday with a nine race programme with three Group 1s, two Group 2s, a Group 3 and a Listed race. The main race of the day is the Group 1 $1,000,000 The Age Caulfield Guineas. It is a set weight race for three-year-olds over 1600 metres and there is a field of 11 colts and geldings.

The favourite in the early market is Denman at $2.60, followed by Trusting at $4.60, Manhattan Rain at $6.50, So You Think at $8.50, Starspangledbanner at $12 then Extra Zero and Tickets both at $15. Denman has 7 starts for a third then 6 wins in a row, and races as if the 1600m won’t trouble him. So You Think has the least race experience in the field with only 3 starts for 2 wins and a close second, but is capable of running a place. Trusting has stormed home for close seconds at his last two starts, both over 1400m.

Jo’s tips: 1. Denman, 2. So You Think, 3. Trusting

Yalumba Stakes – Caulfield
The Group 1 $400,000 Yalumba Stakes is a weight-for-age race for three-year-olds and upwards over 2000 metres. There is a tough field of 8 runners and Whobegotyou is $2.20 favourite in the early market, followed by Heart Of Dreams at $3.50, Master O’Reilly and Nom Du Jeu both at $9.50, and Vision and Power at $10.

Heart Of Dreams beat Whobegotyou in the Underwood, and although he has not won over 1800m I think he can win again. Whobegotyou should run a place. Nom Du Jeu has run second at both starts this campaign and has never been unplaced at this distance.

Jo’s tips: 1. Heart Of Dreams, 2. Whobegotyou, 3. Nom Du Jeu

Toorak Handicap – Caulfield
The Group 1 $350,000 David Jones Toorak Handicap over 1600 metres has a field of 17 runners after the scratching of Pinnacles. The topweight is Racing To Win with 58.5kg. The early market is quite open with Raheeb favourite at $5.50 followed by Raffaello and Black Piranha both at $6. Next is Gold Salute at $8, Racing To Win at $9.50, Rock Kingdom at $10 and Chasm at $12.

Rock Kingdom was a surprise winner of the Epsom last week and can win again if he can handle the Melbourne way of going. Gold Salute is a very honest and consistent horse who has a good finish. Raffaello also has a strong finish and has a good record at Caulfield.

Jo’s tips: 1. Rock Kingdom, 2. Gold Salute, 3. Raffaello

Don’t forget the Caulfield Carnival continues on Wednesday 14 October 2009 with Schweppes Thousand Guineas Day.