John Dillon Stakes – 2022

Track: Good Weather: Chance of a shower

There are nine acceptors for the feature race on the card – the $160,000 Listed John Dillon Stakes.  Ben & JD Hayes train a third of the field while the inform Anthony & Sam Freedman stable saddle up two runners.  Three of these had their last start in the Chester Manifold at Flemington and two others ran here in a benchmark 84 on January 8.  A further two are first up.  The early favourite is the five year old mare Lighthouse.  She took out the Chester Manifold at her last start and is aiming to make it five wins in a row here.  The current second favourite is Open Minded.  He dominated from the front here last start and is unbeaten at Caulfield.

Crosshaven has been racing well with out winning.  Excelida is one of three last start winners in the race.  Groundswell won a recent jump out by a big space and will be looking to win his first race at Caulfield, while Age Of Chivalry races well at this track and distance.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1 in early betting markets.

1. Age Of Chivalry

Won the Group 3 Chatham Stakes over this distance in November.  Lead them up in the Chester Manifold last time out and boxed on well under the big weight.  Carries the same weight again here.  Each way claims.

2. Crosshaven

Four year old gelding trained by Ben & JD Hayes.  Crossed the line with Age Of Chivalry in the Chester Manifold.  In the mix again here.

3. Groundswell

Resumes from a break.  Wasn’t disgraced here in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clark at his last start.  Clicked up in recent Werribee jump out and bolted in.  Seven goes without a Caulfield win is a query.

4. Lighthouse

Ex USA galloper now trained by Maher & Eustace.  Is a perfect four from four in Australia.  Latest was super impressive taking the gap and surging clear to win the Chester Manifold.  Drawn to get a gun run from barrier six.  The one to beat.

5. Open Minded

Five year old gelding with a strong record – eight wins from 17 career starts and a perfect three from three at Caulfield.  He found the lead this track and distance last start and gave nothing else a chance going onto win by three lengths.  Drops to 55.5kg here and gets the senior rider back on.  One of the chances.

6. More Than Exceed

Weakened here behind Open Minded with the big weight last start.  Drops down in the weights and gets a senior rider on for this but doesn’t appear to be going well enough to feature.

7. Biometric

Resumes.  Won a benchmark 84 here last preparation.  This is harder.  Prefer others.

8. Excelida

Mare racing in terrific form.  Got back and charged home to win here last time against easier company.  Suited getting down on the minimum weight here but will need some luck as likely to get back from the inside marble.

9. Witchfulthinking

Raced wide here first up over 1100m and fought on okay.  Suspect they try and lead with the light weight but looks outclassed in this.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
4. Lighthouse	4. Lighthouse
5. Open Minded	5. Open Minded
8. Excelida	3. Groundswell
2. Crosshaven	8. Excelida

Listed Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) 2022 (Caulfield 1000m)

Listed Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies) 2022 (Caulfield 1000m)

Listed W J Adams Stakes 2022 (Caulfield 1400m)