Caulfield Stakes – 2020

Track: Soft   Weather: Overcast

A field of just six runners have accepted for the $1,000,000 Caulfield Stakes.  I suspect many are trying to avoid Russian Camelot who looks the next star of the Australian Turf and is a dominant early favourite at $1.60 or thereabouts.  Five of the six runners come through the Group 1 Underwood Stakes – Russian Camelot started a short price favourite in that race and won it in easy fashion.  The only horse not to come through the Underwood Stakes is Levendi, he last raced in the JRA Cup at Moonee Valley.

Humidor put in another good performance last start after his shock first up Victory in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes at Moonee Valley.  He and Arcadia Queen found the inferior ground and arguably would have finished closer were they not so close to the fence in the home straight.  Gailo Chop, Harbour Views and Levendi are longer than $20-1.

1. Gailo Chop

Gailo chop improved significantly second up to be only beaten 2.45 lengths in the Underwood Stakes.  Hard to see him turning the tables on Russian Camelot but he could feature in the placings.

2. Humidor

The rising eight year old and multiple group one winner has put in two great runs this preparation. He was a good winner of the Group 2 Feehan Stakes at Moonee Valley and then backed up that performance with a very good second behind Russian Camelot in the Underwood.  He made his run towards the inside which was the inferior ground.  Again hard to see him turning the tables on Russian Camelot but can get into the minor money.

3. Levendi

Race fitness and a softer track saw this horse run an improved race in the JRA cup at Moonee Valley.  He beat home Mirage Dancer who has since won the Group 1 Metropolitan.  Looks the likely leader.

4. Harbour Views

Harbour Views was in the right part of the track in the Underwood and disappointed.  Talented on his day.

5. Arcadia Queen

Arcadia Queen has showed signs that she is getting back to somewhere near her best.  Like Humidor, she was in the wrong section of the track last start and wasn’t beaten far.  The Bar Plates coming off here is a good sign that she is getting over her feet issues and if there is a danger to Russian Camelot I think its her.

6. Russian Camelot

Russian Camelot is arguably the most exciting horse in Australia.  It is still hard to believe the 4 year old has had just seven starts and has been racing for just over a year.  He was backed off the map in the Underwood and dually saluted.  I suspect he will settle in the first couple again in the run and is clearly the one to beat.

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

The track was rated as Good 4

Scratchings were – nil