G1 Caulfield Guineas Day - 08.10.2016

Now we get down to the pointy end of the Spring with the first of the Cups next week and "The Cup" just 25 days away.

But first we have to get through a bumper meeting at Caulfield tomorrow with four G1's plus the G1 Spring Champion Stakes from Randwick.

Who's Hot? 

Jockey Dwayne Dunn has ten winners from his last 40 rides including Stakes winners Keen Array, Defcon, Ocean Embers and Don't Doubt Mamma (twice).

He has an enviable book of rides at Caulfield tomorrow including Hear The Chant (Race 3 No. 16), Ameristralia (Race 5 No. 14), Divine Prophet (Race 8 No. 4), He's Our Rokkii (Race 9 No. 4) and Ocean Embers (Race 10 No. 11).

CAULFIELD

*** At time of publication the track was rated a Good 3. The forecast was for a partly cloudy day. ***

Caulfield Guineas (Group 1, 1600m, 3-y-o set weights)

Current Sportsbet market

*** There are no early scratchings ***

A few different formlines to marry up here with some coming via Sydney, others through the G2 Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley last Friday night and still more through the G3 Guineas Prelude a fortnight ago.

Impending was no match when third to his stablemate Astern (below) in the G1 Golden Rose two starts back but he ended his string of minor placings with a strong win next start in the G2 Stan Fox Stakes. The last two winners of that race (Press Statement and Shooting To Win) have gone on to claim the double. He's never missed a place in five runs and all bar his debut were in Stakes races. He raced in Queensland during the Winter Carnival and that form is stacking up. The stable and jockey are low level flying at the moment. Divine Prophet chased him home in both of those races and finished right on his heels each time. You could make an argument he should have finished in front of him in both because he had little luck in the former and had to be ridden upside down in the latter due to a slow tempo. He gets a chance to turn the tables here with a much better barrier draw than the favourite. Good Standing was third behind the aforementioned duo last start and finished alongside them prior in the G1 Golden Rose. He has placed just once in his last five starts but they have all been in quality races but like the favourite Impending he will have to overcome a wide gate. A firm track is a plus too because he doesn't seem to like the sting out of the ground. The engagement of Hugh Bowman is also a big tick.

Now to look at the G2 Guineas Prelude a fortnight ago and Sacred Elixir came from midfield to win and it was strong effort given they were three seconds outside the course record on a Good 3. He gave most of his rivals weight that day but meets them at set weights here. He was a dominant winner of the G1 J.J. Atkins Stakes (below) at this trip in June. Revolving Door (2nd) dashed clear and looked home and I thought he had every possible hope given he sat on speed in a slowly run race. I doubt he'll be gifted that sort of soft run tomorrow. Wazzenme (3rd) recorded the fastest final 400m/200m of the day. Not bad given he had only two runners behind him on settling. He can be closer in the run tomorrow from the better draw. Seaburge (4th) loomed to win but couldn't get the job done. Maybe he just ran out of condition and that will top him up nicely for this but I can't be tumbling into him. He's drawn awkwardly and will probably have to go back again and be ridden for luck. Saracino (5th) had his chance too I thought. Remarkably jockey Damien Oliver has only won this race once in 18 attempts but he'll get a sweet ride from barrier four. Kiwi trainer Murray Baker knows a thing or two about winning big G1's in Australia. So Si Bon (6th) followed the winner through on the turn and ran the fastest final 600m. It was a good run given that he was near last on the turn in a sit and sprint affair. He's not having much luck with barriers though because this is the third time in his last four starts he's drawn a double figure gate. Evacuation (7th) was a run to completely overlook because he was wide and facing the breeze the whole way. To be beaten less than three lengths was creditable. He's likely to get a much better run in transit tomorrow from barrier three and jockey Kerrin McEvoy has won this race twice before.

Since Helenus (2002) the only winner of this race to come via the G2 Stutt Stakes was Whobegotyou (2008) but let's take a look at that form anyway because the race has provided quite a few placegetters.

Hey Doc was impressive last Friday night claiming the G2 Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley but I doubt that's the A-grade form for a race like this. Still it is hard to knock a horse who has strung together three on end and keeps looking more impressive every time he goes to the races. The wide barrier is no help. Land Of Plenty ran the fastest final 200m in the race and looks like he will eat up a mile but he has to overcome a horror draw too. Kaching closed well from near last in the same race and is drawn to get a better run here than the other two. He's consistent and racing well but this a big rise in class. I'm looking to others.

Barbie's Boy is coming off a third in a $23K Wednesday BM64 at Sale. No thank-you.

I think the Sydney form will hold up.

Locky's Selections

BEST        

4. Divine Prophet

DANGER  

2. Impending

FOR EXOTICS

1. Sacred Elixir

9. Wazzenme

10. Evacuation

13. So Si Bon

Toorak Handicap (Group 1, 1600m, handicap)

Current Sportsbet market

*** Tosen Stardom is an early scratching ***

He's Our Rokkii has been very, very good to me and the loyal follower(s?) of this blog and I see no reason to jump off the gravy train. He's been like an ATM for me these last six months and I am staying solid. Five wins and second from six runs since the blinkers went on. Bon Aurum won the G1 Rupert Clarke Stakes last time out in impressive fashion and the last four winners of this race came via the same route although only one completed the double. His sire Bon Hoffa could manage only fourth in this race after winning the G1 Rupert Clarke Stakes in 2007. Counterattack over raced and was caught deep last start in the G1 Rupert Clarke Stakes so he did well to beat half the field home and be less than three lengths from the winner. He meets Bon Aurum 3.5kg better off here. Royal Rapture has been well backed in early markets ($14 into $8.50) on the back of his five race winning sequence. Trainer Darren Weir has won this race the last two years running. Two wins and three seconds at 1600m from six attempts.

Only one winner in the last 12 years has returned more than $9.

Tivaci won the G3 Sunshine Coast Guineas stylishly at this trip third run in last campaign. He was sound a fortnight ago in the G1 Rupert Clarke Stakes (following a great run fresh) and gets a 4kg turnaround on the winner. Thames Court has had plenty of support in the market place but only three mares have been successful in this race in the last 25 years. She chased Bon Aurum last start and gets a 4kg swing here. Awesome Rock has got his fair share of weight but five of the last six winners carried 56.5kg+ and four of them lumped 58kg. He's capable enough on his day but tends to mix his form and he doesn't win often. 

Moral Victory is a handy type but I don't know that he's a G1 horse. He's earned his right to be here with back-to-back wins but his only victory in four runs at 1600m came in a BM70 and that was 27 months ago. Inside draw helps. Miss Rose De Lago has four wins and a third from five runs at this track. She bounced back last start with an honest third to the very talented Don't Doubt Mamma. Ignore her previous run in the G2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes when she got flattened on the home turn. Prior to that she won the G2 Lawrence Stakes here at w-f-a.

Jacquinot Bay is coming off solid w-f-a form in races like the G1 Makbe Diva Stakes (below) and  the G1 Underwood Stakes and dropping in the weights. That's usually a good recipe and he's a six time winner at the mile. Problem is he has not won at this circuit in 10 tries. Cosmic Cube has what can best be described as second tier form and has only won once beyond 1400m. He's also got to overcome the wide barrier but his trainer goes OK. Great Esteem has four wins at 1600m and has last start form around Winx. Granted he was a six and a half length last but both the placegetters in Hauraki and It's Somewhat were also soundly beaten and have subsequently won. The inside barrier suits his racing pattern.

Locky's Selections

BEST        

4. He's Our Rokkii

DANGER  

13. Tivaci

FOR EXOTICS

3. Bon Aurum
7. Counterattack
10. Thames Court
1. Awesome Rock

OTHER BETS

Chetwood (Caulfield Race 4 No. 3) is from the flying combination of Godolphin and James McDonald and is coming off three straight wins including a last start victory in the G3 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle. The second horse that day was Le Romain who was pretty good in the G1 Epsom Handicap last week given he had to drag the field up to the tearaway leader. 


Leotie (Caulfield Race 7 No. 10) at around the $18 mark is my best longshot of the day. She'll drift back from the wide draw but look for her to be hitting the line hard late. I know her last start win was a midweek at Bendigo but she was a 3-y-o filly against older mares and they still backed her into odds-on. Three wins and a narrow second this prep.

Fell Swoop (Caulfield Race 10 No. 5) should have won the G1 Oakleigh Plate at this track and distance when fresh last campaign (below) but was held up at a crucial stage in the straight. Let's not forget that this guy split Chautauqua and English at w-f-a in the G1 T.J. Smith Stakes last prep.

High Mist (Randwick Race 7 No. 4) finished his last race with his saddle around his flank so to be within one and a half lengths of the winner was amazing. Jockey Glyn Schofield reported that the barrier blanket dragged the saddle back as they left the gates and from then on in he really had no chance. He was unlucky not to beat Swear two starts back and he gives every indication that the further they go the more he will be suited. Each-way.

Good punting!

G1 Triple Header - 30.09.2016 to 02.10.2016

A G1 triple header this weekend over Friday/Saturday/Sunday so it'll be a condensed version this week in order to get through everything whilst not losing what little is left of what I laughingly like to refer to as my mind.

Who's Hot? 

The father-son training partnership of Peter and Paul Snowden had a city double at Rosehill last weekend with Tycoon Tara and Extensible. Throw in Stakes winners Defcon, Redzel and Russian Revolution and they've had a good start to the Spring.

They have Detective (Race 5 No. 1) running at Moonee Valley tonight and some strong chances at Randwick tomorrow in Khan (Race 2 No. 5) and Capitalist (Race 5 No. 2).

MOONEE VALLEY

*** At time of publication the track was rated a Good 4. The forecast was for a high chance chance of showers but becoming less likely in the evening. ***

Moir Stakes (Group 1, 1000m, w-f-a)

Current Sportsbet market

*** There are no early scratchings ***

Chautauqua looks the obvious. You wouldn't think he'd be a Moonee Valley horse given his racing pattern but he's raced her twice for two massive wins in a G1 Manikato Stakes (below) and a G2 McEwen Stakes. Extreme Choice won the G1 Blue Diamond back in February but this is his first taste of open company. He has only been beaten once and that was in the G1 Golden Slipper last April when he copped a squeeze shortly after the jump and was pushed back to last. Buffering is unbeaten at the track and distance has won this race three times. He's won nine from 12 first-up and five from seven at the trip. He'll give the favourite something to chase and he'll be in front for a long time. Lucky Hussler has won a G1 William Reid Stakes at this track when fresh but that was 1200m. He will however get a lovely sit on them here if they go crazy in front and could be the one coming late.  Heatherly has had five runs at Moonee Valley - all of them at 1000m - and has three wins and two thirds. She wouldn't want to miss the start again like last time. Or would she? Given the likely frantic tempo it might just work. 

Ball Of Muscle just keeps running honest races and did finish a narrow second (below) to Buffering in this race last year. He's only missed a placing twice in 20 career starts. Wild Rain has had four attempts at the Moonee Valley 1000m for three wins and I'm always wary of mares in form. This is a big step up but she is going great guns at the moment. Redzel beat G1 Stradbroke Handicap winner Under The Louvre last start and third-up last prep he toppled recent G2 The Shorts winner Takedown. All his wins are at 1100m however. Chloe In Paris hasn't been since for nearly a year and a half and they've picked a really difficult race to kick-off her campaign. On the plus side Damien Oliver has won this race five times. She's won at this track and trip but it was a maiden.

A good field of sprinters and they will go like the clappers here so it will probably be set up for the swoopers.

Locky's Selections

BEST        

2. Chautauqua

DANGER  

1. Buffering

FOR EXOTICS

4. Ball Of Muscle
7. Heatherly
3. Lucky Hussler

RANDWICK

*** At time of publication the track was rated a Good 4. The forecast was for a partly cloudy day. ***

Epsom Handicap (Group 1, 1600m, handicap)

Current Sportsbet market

*** There are no early scratchings ***

Chris Waller has dominated big Sydney miles in recent years winning the last three renewals of this race, the last four G1 Doncaster Miles, four of the last five G1 George Main Stakes and five of the last six G1 Chipping Norton Stakes. So I'll look at his quartet first.

McCreery reminds me a bit of He's Your Man who won this race for the stable two years ago. He's down in the weights and dropping from 2000m back to 1600m after winning the G3 Kingston Town Stakes. Good gate. Mackintosh is a new season 4-y-o who wintered in Queensland before resuming with a win in the G2 Theo Marks Stakes. That's the same path his stablemate Winx took last year. He's drawn to get a good run. Vanbrugh gets a 4.5kg swing in the weights on Hauraki since their last start meeting (below) in the G1 George Main Stakes behind Winx. Torgersen is the least fancied of all the Waller runners but his last two runs have been good and he meets Sons of John 2kg better off for a narrow last start defeat. Lightly weighted and well drawn.

Seven of the last eight winners carried 54kg or less, six of the last eight winners were 4-y-o's and only one winner in the last eight years returned double figure odds. But it's impossible to ignore the ones at the top end of the weight scale.

Hauraki has come back a treat this prep with a win and a second to Winx. He also has Brisbane Winter Carnival form as did recent Black Type winners Black Heart Bart, Sacred Elixir and the previously mentioned Mackintosh. Happy Clapper is another with form behind the great mare finishing second to her in the G1 Doncaster Mile at this track and trip four months ago. He only carried 50.5kg that day so rises sharply in the weights here but this isn't as strong a field. I would have preferred to see him drawn wider and not cluttered up on the rail however. Palentino also has a form line that is hard to fault with a last win (below) in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes beating Black Heart Bart and He Or She. That pair ran the quinella in the G1 Underwood Stakes last weekend at their next starts. He's two from two at 1600m but having his first go the Sydney way. Le Romain has had one go at the mile for a win here in the G1 Randwick Guineas last April. That was his fourth run back. He's never missed a top two finish at this track in five runs and meets Hauraki 1.5kg better off for that first-up defeat in the G2 Tramway Stakes. Barrier three is ideal.

Of the rest Sons Of John comes off a win in the G3 Bill Ritchie Handicap which is the route Boban took to win this race three years ago. He has the services of three-time G1 Epsom Handicap winning jockey Glen Boss. Wide barrier is a concern. Dibayani is a money muncher but he could finish top four because he's done that in seven of his 10 runs in this country. He just doesn't win. Heavens Above is flying and wasn't suited by a slow tempo last start. She finished second to Azkadellia (below) at this track and distance in the G1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes with 57kg so she won't know herself with just 51kg. Fabrizio was dominant last start but that was a BM85. He's in good hands however because trainer Gai Waterhouse has won this race seven times before. Mighty Lucky will probably find this a bit rich. He was pretty good fresh given he ran into traffic and he can produce second-up but the gate doesn't help. 

Locky's Selections

BEST        

3. Le Romain

DANGER  

8. Mackintosh

FOR EXOTICS

9. McCreery

2. Hauraki
1. Palentino

10. Heavens Above

FLEMINGTON

*** At time of publication the track was rated a Good 4. The forecast was for a chance of rain but mostly in the evening. ***

Turnbull Stakes (Group 1, 2000m, set weights plus penalties)

Current Sportsbet market

*** There are no early scratchings ***

Hartnell looks the obvious here given he's won his last two races by a combined margin of nearly 14 lengths. His only defeat this time in work was to Winx and it's remarkable how horses with form around her just keep winning. He's still got to prove himself the Melbourne way and he wouldn't want the track too firm. Jameka bolted in last start in the G3 Naturalism Stakes for her first victory since claiming the G1 V.R.C. Oaks 11 months ago. I think she'll find this mob a bit harder than Gallante, Berisha etc. but I must say she looks very well treated at the set weights plus penalties conditions. The United States was one of the many hard luck stories in the G2 Feehan Stakes after copping interference on the turn before motoring to the line late. There has to be a query on that form however given horses that finished ahead of him like Awesome Rock, Real Love, Set Square and The Cleaner were all pretty plain at their next start. Owner Lloyd Williams has won this race three times in the last six years with Green Moon, Zipping and Efficient. 

Our Ivanhowe chased home the likes of Palentino, Black Heart Bart and He Or She in the G1 Makybe Stakes last run and that form is looking pretty good right now. He was only a length and a half off the winner (below) in that farcically run G1 Australian Cup at this track and distance earlier this year. Trainer Lee Freedman has trained six winners of this race. Raw Impulse is not well weighted here given his handicap rating (he should be getting 10kg from Hartnell) but he's won four of six since coming to Australia. He's a horse on the way up as he showed with his demolition job two weeks ago in the Listed Tokyo City Cup in Adelaide and it would be a brave person to write off anything trained by Darren Weir.

It's $21+ the rest.

Tally won the G2 Autumn Classic at his third run in last preparation before beating Palentino at his next start in the G2 Alister Clark Stakes. He improved markedly second-up when dropping back in class but the bar gets raised here. Set Square was just OK when a distant fourth to her stablemate Jameka in the G3 Naturalism Stakes a fortnight ago and meets her 1kg worse off here. She did run a mighty race when third in this feature last Spring (below) and her only other 2000m run at Flemington was a one and a half length fifth in the G1 Mackinnon Stakes two starts later. Tarzino won the G1 V.R.C. Derby at this track last November and finished second here during the Autumn in the G1 Australian Guineas. He's shown very little in three runs back against open company but the rise to 2000m, the big track and drawing away from the rails are plusses. I'm not sacking him just yet but he is on notice. 

Preferment has to give Hartnell a kilo and half but he is a very good Flemington horse and will appreciate a firm track. He's had four starts at Flemington for wins in a G1 V.R.C. Derby, a G1 Australian Cup (above) and this race last year (below). His only "failure" at this circuit was when he got poleaxed in last year's G1 Melbourne Cup. Unbeaten this track and trip. Happy Trails is lining up in this race for the fifth time and he did win it three years ago. He's only won one race since but it was a G1 Mackinnon Stakes at this track and distance albeit 23 months ago. It seems like he's had more Farewell Tours than John Farnham. Sofia Rosa is finally getting up to a trip that suits and only Palentino had a faster final 800m in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes last start. Getting out to 2000m on a big track will suit her much better than her previous two runs this campaign. Hard to knock a G1 A.T.C. Oaks winner in on the minimum weight.

Locky's Selections

BEST        

4. Hartnell

DANGER  

1. Preferment

FOR EXOTICS

5. The United States
6. Our Ivanhowe
10. Sofia Rosa

9. Jameka

OTHER BETS

Detective (Moonee Valley Race 5 No. 1) has won both his runs this prep and third run back in the Autumn Carnival he just missed Seaburge in the G2 V.R.C. Sires Produce. He split G1 winners Capitalist and Prized Icon on debut and he's only missed a top two finish once in seven career starts. As mentioned previously the stable is in form.

Kaepernick (Randwick Race 9 No. 11) came up the wrong part of the track last start and despite being forced to weave a passage down the straight he still ran the fastest final 600m. His good second-up record indicates he'll take improvement from the outing and he's a winner here at the Randwick 1200m. I think he represents good each-way value.

Ulmann (Flemington Race 9 No.11) gave Bon Aurum a kilo last start when second in the Listed Tontonan Stakes at this track and distance. That colt subsequently won last weekend's G1 Rupert Clarke Stakes. He's been in wonderful touch this campaign with his only really bad run coming on a heavy track. Three starts back he won at this track and trip.

Good punting!

G1 Underwood Stakes / G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Day - 24.09.2016

Black Type races aplenty this weekend and I have tips for most of them but the main focus will be on the w-f-a horses in the G1 Underwood Stakes.

Who's Hot? 

In the last five weeks John O'Shea and Godolphin have racked up a host of Black Type winners with Pearls, Astern (twice), Fitou, Hauraki, Hartnell (twice) and Chetwood.

The stable has more runners chasing Stakes success this weekend in Archives (Caulfield Race 6 No. 6), Allergic (Rosehill Race 2 No. 2), Alegria (Rosehill Race 2 No. 3), Pecans (Rosehill Race 4 No. 11), Impending (Rosehill Race 5 No. 1), Retaliation (Rosehill Race 6 No. 4), Honeywine (Rosehill Race 6 No. 8), Pearls (Rosehill Race 7 No. 4), Old North (Rosehill Race 8 No. 5) and Moher (Rosehill Race 9 No. 12).

CAULFIELD

*** At time of publication the track was rated a Good 3. The forecast was for a mostly sunny day. ***

Underwood Stakes (Group 1, 1800m, w-f-a)

Current Sportsbet market

*** Our Ivanhowe is an early scratching ***

Black Heart Bart couldn't hold off Palentino (below) in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes last start but they gapped the rest so I don't know if you can say he didn't run the trip. Still the extra 200m has to be a concern here given his best stats are at 1400m even if he is unbeaten at Caulfield. I'm not saying he can't win but I'm sure as hell not taking $2.25 to find out.

Awesome Rock blew them away last start in the G2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes but he did skittle half the field on the home turn so the margin may have been flattering. Having said that seventh placed Jameka came out and spanked them last week so the form can't be that bad. I'm risking him though because his 14 starts in his last four campaigns have yielded eight unplaced runs and he doesn't win often.

Lucia Valentina was fourth to Winx and Hartnell fresh in the G2 Warwick Stakes and that form looks pretty good now. She's five weeks in between runs and that's a similar path to the one they took with her in the Autumn when she smashed them second-up (below) in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Just one win and two placings from 16 starts on firm ground is the worry. The last mare to win this race was Tristarc in 1985.

History says the rest will find it hard to win because only one winner in the last 12 years did not return single figure odds.

He Or She should get the run of the race from the inside barrier. Palentino and Black Heart Bart beat him comfortably in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes but he was clearly the best of the rest and should be ready to peak here following two runs back after a near five month spell. Last campaign he won the G2 Blamey Stakes third-up beating The United States. That horse won the G1 Ranvet Stakes at his next start. His Caulfield record is poor though.

Tarzino could be a big improver here after two runs back because third-up last prep (below) he won the G1 Rosehill Guineas leaving last weekend's dominant winner Jameka in his wake. I like the wide barrier for this horse because he needs to make a long sustained run and I don't think barrier four helped him in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes. Trainer Mick Price has elected to take the blinkers off for the first time. Interesting.

Tavago was one of the many who suffered interference on the turn in the G2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes so I'm overlooking that run because he was never seriously tested in the run home. He's been a big drifter in early betting but I wouldn't be surprised to see him run a cheeky race at big odds. Three Kiwi 4-y-o's have won this race in the last five years - Lion Tamer, Ocean Park and It's A Dundeel. Two of them were Derby winners. He was well fancied last start.

The Cleaner finished a close-up third in this race last year (below) behind Mourinho and Fawkner and his only other run at the trip was a win. He'll no doubt cross and lead from the extreme outside barrier and he should do it fairly easily. The last 200m will be the test and as a 9-y-o I think if he was going to win a race like this he would have done it by now. No wins at Caulfield.

Jacquinot Bay and Prince Of Penzance crossed the line alongside Our Ivanhowe in the G1 Makybe Stakes and were arguably were finishing better yet had they all run tomorrow the former two were likely to be three times the odds of the latter. Only the winner Palentino ran a faster final 800m than Prince Of Penzance in that race.

Howard Be Thy Name did enough fresh but he'll probably need at least another run so wait a few weeks until he gets to 2000m+. He did win the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas at this distance back in April but that was the ninth run of his preparation. This lot will probably be a bit hot for him.

Locky's Selections

BEST        

11. Lucia Valentina

DANGER  

2. Black Heart Bart

FOR EXOTICS

9. Tavago
7. He Or She
8. Tarzino

1. Prince Of Penzance

OTHER BETS

Divine Prophet (Rosehill Race 5 No. 2) got into a bit of bother on the turn (below) in the G1 Golden Rose and although he wouldn't have troubled Astern he probably should have finished a lot closer. Team Hawkes is having a good run at the moment with their 3-y-o's and I expect this guy to be a lot closer in the run tomorrow with only five rivals and he may just have the superior turn of foot.

Leotie (Caulfield Race 5 No. 11) could nearly be unbeaten this prep after just missing second-up when flashing home from last. She made amends last start though with a dominant win here at Caulfield when stepping up to 1400m for the first time. She gets the same course and distance again and drops in weight and she possesses a dynamic turn of foot.

High Mist (Rosehill Race 6 No. 3) is bred to get over some ground being by High Chaparral and a granddaughter of G2 Adrian Knox Stakes winner Lady Mulan. He lumped a big weight to win last time and prior to that hit the line really well without much luck in the G3 Ming Dynasty Stakes. He's racing in good form and drawn to advantage.

Archives (Caulfield Race 6 No. 6) impressed me first-up down the Flemington straight when just edged out by Saracino in the G2 Danehill Stakes. Now with a run under his belt and a one kilo swing in the weights I think he can turn the tables. He's had only one other appearance second-up and he won the Listed Hampden Stakes at Doomben four months ago and I love horses with Brisbane Winter form.

Heaven's Above (Rosehill Race 7 No. 5) got there just in time for me last start so I'm sticking solid and backing up on her. She was 1300m back to 1200m that day and giving weight to the rest so it was a big effort. She beat all bar Azkadellia (below) in the G1 Queen Of The Turf in April and they spaced the rest.

Counterattack (Caulfield Race 7 No. 6) should have won last start but didn't get clear until it was too late. (OK, so I backed him.) The new season 4-y-o's are winning everything and let's face it they've won the last six renewals of this race. He looks pitchforked in here with just the 54kg and hoop Craig Williams has won this race five times in the last 10 years. He was the best of the on-pacers (below) in a swooper dominated G1 Stradbroke Handicap.

Good punting!