Caulfield Guineas – 2020

Track: Soft   Weather: Cloudy

With the early scratching of Glenfiddich, 14 runners remain for the $2,000,000 Caulfield Guineas. Five of them had their last start in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude over 1400m on 26 September, and three had their last start in the Group 1 Golden Rose over 1400m at Rosehill on 26 September. The early favourite is Ole Kirk who was 2nd in the Group 2 Run To The Rose then won the Golden Rose. Second favourite is Tagaloa who was 1.8 lengths 6th in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes last outing. Third favouritism is shared between King’s Legacy who ran 3rd in the Golden Rose and Mo’unga who is unbeaten in three starts.

Crosshaven was 4th in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes last start and won the Sires Produce in the autumn. Cambourne was 4th in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude after winning his two starts before that and Amish Boy finished 2nd in the Prelude. Aysar was 6th in the Prelude, while Mamaragan finished 6th in the Golden Rose. All other runners are currently 50 to 1 or longer.

1. Tagaloa

He won the Blue Diamond Stakes as a two-year-old and has been close up at both runs this preparation with the latest 1.8 lengths 6th in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.

2. King’s Legacy

Back in April he won the Group 1 ATC Sires Produce and the Group 1 Champagne Stakes. He resumed for 7th in the Group 2 Run To The Rose then improved to finish 0.2 length, 1.8 length 3rd in the Golden Rose. Expect him to go well.

3. Ole Kirk

He came from well back to run 2nd in the Run To The Rose then flew home to win the Golden Rose. Will be ridden by William Pike for the first time and he should fight out the finish.

4. Mamaragan

He was placed in the Golden Slipper and the Sires Produce in his first preparation. He hasn’t fired in thrree runs in this time but I’m not ready to write him off.

5. Glenfiddich  – SCRATCHED

6. Crosshaven

Won the Caulfield Guineas Prelude by 1.75 lengths two weeks ago, giving him his fourth win from five starts. Although he has the outside barrier he has early speed to get acroos from the gate. One of the main chances.

7. Amish Boy

Has finished runner-up both runs this preparation with 2nd in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes and 2nd in the Guineas Prelude last start. He has drawn the inside barrier.

8. Lunar Fox

In the autumn he won the Sires Produce at Flemingto, but his three runs since resuming haven’t shown enough for him to be a threat here.

9. Mo’unga

Three starts for three wins, this Savabeel colt from the Chris Waller stable looked impressive wining the Listed Dulcify Stakes over 1500m by 1.5 lengths last start. Should be fighting out the finish.

10. Aysar

Has two wins from 4 starts and was 2.55 lengths 6th in the Guineas Prelude last start.

11. Cambourne

Won at Donald then Bendigo before running 4th in the Guineas Prelude at this third start. Could surprise.

12. National Choice

Led early but was run down for 3rd in the Guineas Prelude.

13. Grandslam

He has won one of his five starts but looks to be aiming a little too high here.

14. Poland

Won a Benchmark 64 to break hos maiden at his third outing last start. Looking elsewhere.

15. Captain Corelli

Came 5th in the Prelude and his breeding suggests he will get better as he goes over longer distances.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
3 Ole Kirk
9 Mo’unga
6 Crosshaven
2 King’s Legacy

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	3. Ole Kirk
2nd	10. Aysar	0.4 length
3rd	13. Grandslam	2.4 lengths
4th	6. Crosshaven	2.8 lengths

The track was rated as Good 3.

Scratching: 5. Glenfiddich.