Racing Preview – Sat 17th Oct

Caulfield Cup – Caulfield
This is Caulfield’s biggest day of the year and there is a spectacular 10 event programme including a Group 1, two Group 2, three Group 3 and a Listed race. The main race is the Group 1 $2,500,000 BMW Caulfield Cup over 2400 metres which has a capacity field of 18 plus 4 emergencies. At this stage the track is expected to be dead with rain forecast daily until the end of the week.

Early betting is wide open with two overseas horses, Cima De Triomphe and Kirklees, sharing favouritism at $8. Predatory Pricer and Daffodil are next at $9, Vigor at $10, Allez Wonder and Viewed both at $13, Master O’Reilly and Red Ruler both at $14, Roman Emperor and C’est La Guerre both at $18 then Light Vision at $21. I was very impressed with Allez Wonder last week and hope she can win again. Kirklees has lots of speed and will benefit from rain. Daffodil is a very honest mare and will run well. There are a few noted mud runners in the field so track condition will be important.

Jo’s tips: 1. Allez Wonder, 2. Kirklees, 3. Daffodil

Caulfield Sprint – Caulfield
The Group 2 $200,000 Perri Cutten Caulfield Sprint over 1100 metres has a field of 14 runners. The clear favourite in the early market is the Lee Freedman trained First Command who has raced 8 times for 6 wins and a second. Next in the market are Secret Flyer and Eagle Falls both at $6, Phelan Ready at $7.50, More Than Great at $9, Red Element and Huxssen both at $12, then Turffontein and Diplomatic Force both at $13.

First Command should win again. Eagle Falls has 5 wins and a second from 9 starts. Happy Glen ($41) has been unplaced at both of his starts this campaign, but usually does well at this track and distance and could sneak into a place here.

Jo’s tips: 1. First Command, 2. Eagle Falls, 3. Happy Glen

Harrolds Stakes – Caulfield
The Group 2 $180,000 Harrolds Stakes over 1400 metres is a set-weights and penalties race for four-year-old and upwards mares and has a field of 13 runners. The favourite in the early market is Hot Danish at $2.60, ahead of Typhoon Tracy at $3.40, Neroli at $5.50, Gold Water at $8.50, Velocitea at $15, then Tootsie and Jolie’s Shinju both at $16.

Hot Danish is a classy mare with 11 wins and 3 places from 19 starts and is good enough to beat this field. Typhoon Tracy likes to get to the front and can be very hard to run down. Jolie’s Shinju has raced very well in Singapore and has been cleared of the heart murmur problems she seemed to have after her last race.

Jo’s tips: 1. Hot Danish, 2. Typhoon Tracy, 3. Jolie’s Shinju

Don’t forget to put a Caulfield Cup – Melbourne Cup doubles bet on.