Caulfield Racing Preview: 27th April by Dean McHugh

Caulfield hosts ten high-class races this Saturday, with the highlight coming in the eighth race of the day – The Tbv Vobis Platinum Showdown. Exclusively for two-year-olds, a million dollars is up for grabs.

As well as providing our predictions of that race, we will also cast our eye over every race on Saturday’s card in the hope that we can find a winner or two.

Race 1: Barastoc Handicap (1200m)

Saturday’s card opens up with a sixteen-runner handicap, and it certainly isn’t the easiest opening race for punters to predict. 

Despite the competitive field, it is expected that Bews will jump off as the favourite. With three wins from his eleven career starts, he was unlucky to finish second when last seen and has proven that he is more than capable of winning races at this level.

Race 2: Here For The Horses Handicap (1800m)

Another sixteen-runner affair awaits on the second race of the card, where Moya Lass will start the race as the slim favourite. 

Although by no means a prolific winner, she was a gutsy winner when last seen and will be taking a step up in trip here as she tries to win her second race in a row.

If looking for an alternative, the play could be Smokin’ Princess. Seeking a third consecutive win, she arrives at the track in flying form.

Race 3: Sheen Panel Service VOBIS Gold Mile (1600m)

Ten runners will head down to post for the third race of the day, the Sheen Panel Service VOBIS Gold Mile. Pounding is as experienced as they come and will start as the horse to beat.

Having won seven of his thirty-three starts, he has now gone eight races without victory but will be hoping to flip that script here.

Race 4: Blue Gum Farm VOBIS Gold Distaff (1400m)

The fourth race of the card is exclusively for the girls as ten exciting fillies and mares prepare to battle it out for the $96,000 first-place prize.

Extratwo is expected to start as the horse they will all need to beat. Having posted four wins in her first nine career starts, she heads into the race having won two of her last three races and will be hopeful of more success here.

If you are looking to back a horse at a bigger price, then Naiconi looks well worth considering. Having won three of her last four races, she looks more than capable of serving it up to the favourite.

Race 5: Avenel Equine Hospital VOBIS Gold Health (2000m)

The competitive action continues with the fifth race of the day as eleven horses will bid for glory in the Avenel Equine Hospital VOBIS Gold Health. 

An open race, the heavy favourite looks set to be Berkeley Square. Although without a win in his last nine starts, he has spent the last few races in tough graded races and will be hopeful of returning to the winner’s circle back in these calmer waters.

Race 6: The IRT VOBIS Platinum Guineas (1600m)

One of Saturday’s most lucrative races is The IRT VOBIS Platinum Guineas. Worth $275,000 to the winner, there looks to be several horses in with a real shout of victory.

Set to go off at short odds are the pair of Modown and Elphinstone. Of the two, it is Modown who brings in the better form, but both look to have a great chance of victory. 

Gifted Gamer was a winner when last seen on the track, and he looks set to play a big role in proceedings. As will Socks Nation who will be looking to win her first race in three appearances.

Race 7: Yulong VOBIS Gold Sprint (1200m)

One of the shortest races of the day comes in the seventh race of the card. and ten exciting horses will be bidding for victory.

Due to his past winning exploits, Rey Magnerio will be popular in the betting. With six wins from his first eleven career starts, he knows how to win races at this level and could be a tough nut to crack.

The Astrologist is the most experienced runner in the race. With eight wins in forty four starts, he certainly isn’t a prolific winner but he knows how to compete in races of this nature and should give you a good run for your money.

Race 8: The TBV VOBIS Platinum Showdown (1200m)

The most valuable race of the day is The TBV VOBIS Platinum Showdown. Worth $550,000 to the winner, Bold Bastille looks to be one of the best bets of the day. 

With four wins from her first five starts, she is the most experienced runner in the race and is, without doubt, the horse to beat.

Lincolnshire is an interesting runner. A winner on her debut, there could be plenty more to come, and her chances can’t be dismissed. 

Gellhorn and Cosmic Ride both finished second on their respective debuts, and both will start at a decent price.

Race 9: Cylinder VOBIS Gold Dash (1200m)

The sprint races keep on coming thick and fast, and in the ninth race of the day, Hedged will start as the overwhelming favourite. With two wins in his last four starts, he is the form horse of the race, and it could take something special to stop him.

Moby Dick is one of the most interesting horses on the entire card. With two wins to kick off his career, he had to settle for second last time out, and will hope to get back to the winner’s circle here.

Race 10: DCE Handicap (1400m)

Saturday’s Caulfield card ends how it began with a competitive sixteen-runner handicap. 

Arguably the toughest race of the day to call, So Risque is likely to jump off as the narrow favourite. Having not finished outside of the top three in any of his last seven starts, he is the most consistent horse in the race and should be on the premises once again.

Maktoob is an interesting contender. Having won both of his last two races, he could be a solid option at a bigger price.