Caulfield Guineas Prelude – 2022

Track: Soft Weather: Cloudy

Nine colts and two geldings have accepted for the $300,000 Caulfield Guineas Prelude and Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) have two runners entered in the event.  Four runners had their last start over 1200m at Moonee Valley on 3 September and two in the Group 3 H.D.F. McNeil Stakes over 1200m at Caulfield on 27 August, while the rest came through different races. Two of the runners are still maidens.

The early favourite in the betting is Aft Cabin who was a 6 length winner over 1400m at Sandown Hillside before 1.5 lengths 2nd in the McNeil Stakes. Second favourite is Osipenko who has a win and a place from 2 starts and resumes here after 13 weeks. Third favourite is Japanese Emperor who is a 2 length winner of his only start which was over 1200m at Sandown Lakeside on heavy going.

Meridius won at Sale then just missed for a close 2nd in a huge run over 1200m at Moonee Valley.  Amenable ran 4th in that race after winning at Sandown Hillside on debut.  Zamborghini won both starts in his first campaign before resuming for 9th in the McNeil, while Lethal Thoughts ran seven lengths back from the winner last start at Rosehill Gardens when resuming.  The remaining runners are 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Osipenko (1)

This Pierro colt from the Chris Waller stable has drawn the inside barrier. He has a win and a place from 2 starts and resumes here after 13 weeks. Has had two trials and looks like one of the major chances.

2. Aft Cabin (6)

Godolphin colt with a win and two 2nds from 3 races. He was a 6 length winner over 1400m at Sandown Hillside before 1.5 lengths 2nd in the McNeil Stakes. Strong claims.

3. Zamborghini (4)

Zoustar colt who won both starts in his first campaign before resuming for 9th in the McNeil. In the mix.

4. Meridius (7)

Won at Sale then just missed for a close 2nd in a huge run over 1200m at Moonee Valley. Place chance.

5. Lethal Thoughts (3)

One of the two runners for Ciaron Maher & David Eustace. Ran seven lengths back from the winner last start at Rosehill Gardens when resuming in the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes.

6. Sir Bailey (8)

The other Maher-Eustace runner. Has won one of his six starts. Prefer others.

7. Amenable (11)

Ran 4th at Moonee Valley after winning at Sandown Hillside on debut. Would be no surprise to see him in the finish.

8. Japanese Emperor (5)

A 2 length winner of his only start which was over 1200m at Sandown Lakeside on heavy going. Think he can finish in he trifecta.

9. Sir Juggernaut (2)

Debuted with a close 2nd at Sale before being spelled. Resumed with a win at Bendigo then never looked likely when 8th at Moonee Valley. Looking elsewhere.

10. Berardino (9)

Came 3rd at both his starts and gets blinkers on for the first time, Will find this tough.

11. Black Samurai (10)

He has had one run for 1.3 lengths 2nd at Moe. Looks tested.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
2 Aft Cabin	2 Aft Cabin
1 Osipenko	4 Meridius
8 Japanese Emperor	7 Amenable
4 Meridius	1 Osipenko

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	2 Aft Cabin
2nd	4 Meridius	3.5 lengths
3rd	7 Amenable	5.5 lengths
4th	6 Sir Bailey	6.25 lengths

The track was rated as Heavy 8.

No scratchings.