Track: Soft-Heavy         Weather: Showers

Twelve colts are set to line up for the precursor to the stallion making race that is the Caulfield Guineas.  The early betting sees a wide open market – $5 the field.  Flying Award is the current favourite.  This colt flashed home first up in the McNeil Stakes and the step up to 1400m looks favourable.  Cambourne is unbeaten and faces his first test at group company on his home track.  Prague competed in many of the big two year old races in his first preparation and returned with a solid fourth at Flemington two weeks ago.

Crosshaven is one of two Hayes and Dabernig runners in the race, they also saddle up Aysar who won on resumption at Sandown.  Cherry Tortoni is the early Victoria Derby favourite and possibly looking for longer but don’t discount him here.  Bartley was a good second in her first Melbourne run and she looks to have drawn perfectly in barrier seven for Damian Lane.  Savannah Cloud was dominant winning a maiden at Cranbourne and Amish Boy started big odds in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes but was good in finishing second.

1. Prague

Prague ran in the Danehill first up and was a good fourth behind promising colt Doubtland.  His two year old form prior is strong with a sixth placing in the Group 1 Golden Slipper and a second to King’s Legacy in the Group 1 Sires Produce stakes in similar conditions to what he faces here, 1400m and wet track.  There does not appear to be a lot of speed so if John Allan can get across to either lead or sit outside lead from the wide gate he will give himself every chance to be in the finish.

2. Cherry Tortoni

Thought his first up run was excellent, he looks a very promising colt.  My only knock on him is that he stays at the 1400m and is still five weeks away from his Grand Final, the Victorian Derby.  However I am still expecting him to run well.

3. Crosshaven

There has been plenty of money around for Crosshaven at both runs this preparation and he put the writing on the wall with a strong win at Flemington.  He is unbeaten on soft tracks and will likely be in this for a long way again.

4. Flying Award

Arguably the run of the race in the McNeil Stakes getting back and finishing hard.  He has had a month off into this run.  He won’t be fully wound up here with bigger things in mind but expect to see him charging home under Damian Oliver.

5. Amish Boy

Thought his effort first up at Flemington was excellent.  He got back and made up a lot of ground down the Flemington straight.  You could argue that his run was every bit as good if not better than Prague’s who is currently single figures in the betting.

6. Bartley

He found the lead at his first try in Melbourne and acquitted himself well.  Can role forward again here and find a spot close to the speed.  Don’t discount.

7. Alcyone

Has had two months off into this.  Looks a likely derby candidate who will be using this to build fitness.

8. Aysar

He resumed with a solid win at Sandown in easier company.  Draws a wide gate here which is some concern.

9. Savannah Cloud

Savannah Cloud resumed at Cranbourne with a dominant maiden win, the race was all but over on the turn.  Like most of these, he looks to have plenty of upside and gets the services of in form jock Luke Currie here.

10. Cambourne

Hard not to be impressed with what this unbeaten colt has done in his career to date.  The performances have been backed up by the clock.  Michael Dee has a tricky barrier here but if he can find some cover it wouldn’t surprise to see Cambourne measure right up to group company.

11. Hickok

Hickok won her maiden in impressive fashion at Bendigo, drifting back and rocketing home late in the 7th fastest last 200 of the day. Not out of it.

12. National Choice

He was very plain at Flemington.  Back onto softer ground and returning home to Caulfield could see him improve.

13. Captain Corelli

Loved the way Captain Corelli knuckled down to win his maiden at Bendigo.  He might be looking for further than 1400m now but look for a strong finish, I’d imagine the Victorian Derby would be right on the cards for this horse.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
4. Flying Award	3. Crosshaven
3. Crosshaven	10. Cambourne
2. Cherry Tortoni	4. Flying Award
10. Cambourne	2. Cherry Tortoni

The track was rated as Soft 6.

Scratchings were 2. Cherry Tortoni, 6. Bartley, 7. Alcyone.

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	3. Crosshaven
2nd	5. Amish Boy	1.8 lengths
3rd	12. National Choice	2 lengths
4th	10. Cambourne	2.3 lengths