Caulfield plays host to a quality eight race card this Wednesday to be headlined by the Group 3 Coongy Cup
The feature is the last piece of the puzzle for Saturday’s Caulfield Cup, with the winner securing his or her place in the time-honoured Group 1 event.
Also to be contested on the program is Listed Debutante Stakes where the juveniles take to the track for the first time.
The rail will be out 12m and fine conditions are expected.
You can find my detailed selections below in my Coongy Cup Day Preview.
LITZDEEL has been solid in both of her runs this time in and looks primed to strike as she steps out to this trip.
The daughter of Dundeel made her return over 1800m here and out to 2000m last time, she closed off strongly into fourth, only with only a narrow margin separating her and the placegetters.
She proved superior in the Group 3 SA Classic last preparation and looks to have a bright staying future.
Blake Shinn will do the steering for Danny O’Brien and if he can slot her in and find cover early, I think she’ll be too good for them late.
CENTU CAVADDI has performed well in both runs to date and looks very progressive.
He kicked off his career in style with a strong debut win over 1200m at Donald and the son of Ghaiyyath had no trouble stepping up in grade as he work home strongly into third in a three year old Quality on Sandown Stakes Day.
Taken back to last off the wide gate, he travelled well but just wanted to lay in when asked for the effort.
He knuckled down late when shown the persuader and there looks to be plenty of room for improvement.
Blake Shinn takes over the steering for the Busuttin / Young team and the low draw is a big plus.
DEEP PLEASURE but didn’t show her usual dash last start over the 1400m at Caulfiled but a post-race vet check revealed a slow recovery.
She was a dominant winner when resuming at Geelong and second up on the Hillside, she led and stuck on gamely to hold second under the 61.5kg impost.
Lightly raced, having just the six race starts, she’s put together a very tidy record and looks highly promising.
She’s fit and with a touch of luck off the wide gate, I think she can bounce back.
The two year olds step out for the first time here in the Debutante Stakes and it looks to be a tricky race as most of them have shown plenty of promise in recent jump outs.
I’ve settled on the Godolphin filly LADHAR, who has impressed in two recents heats.
A daughter of Exceed And Excel, out of Blue Diamond winner Lyre, she looks very professional and I like the way she extended strongly late in her most recent jump out.
Craig Williams will do the steering for Anthony and Sam Freedman and she looks ready for a big debut.
JUST LIKE GABY launched her preparation with a determined victory over 1000m on the Hillside and she looks well placed to make it back to back victories.
The daughter of Pierata mare showed plenty of talent early on but was very raw and gave the impressive she’d continue to improve with racing.
She recorded consecutive wins last time in around the Valley but just looked to have come to the end of her preparation when failing to figure at stakes level.
She’s come back in top order and whilst she does rise in grade, she drops 3.5kgs on that latest run.
The winkers go on and she draws to get all the favours.
ZAMBARDO will look to make it four straight wins and I think he can do just that.
The former Kiwi has just had the five race starts and continues to progress through his grades with ease.
Placed in his two runs in his homeland before making his way to Victoria, he was unlucky not to have won when resuming on the Lakeside but was quick to atone.
A maiden winner oat the Pakenham in August, he then proved too good over 1728m at Sale and his latest victory on the Hillside was a dominant one.
He does rise in grade but drops 3.5kgs and I think he’ll relish stepping out to 2000m.
WOOTTON VERNI hasn’t been far away at his past two outings and looks nearing a win.
The former French galloper had just two runs in his first Australian preparation, but with that experience under his belt, he now looks to have found his feet.
He hit the line strongly over the mile second up, and again impressed last start when stepping up to 1800m at Hillside, finishing close behind Charterhouse and subsequent Group 1 winner Globe.
With winkers applied, the rise to 2000m and a favourable draw, he should get every opportunity under Damian Lane to deliver
SUNSHINEINMYPOCKET impressed with a powerful late surge when resuming over 1200m at The Valley and the step up to 1440m here looks ideal.
After settling towards the rear, he found himself buried behind a wall of runners turning for home but charged late to claim second, beaten only a head.
Boasting five wins and two second placings from nine starts, he’s progressing through the grades with confidence and the form around him continues to hold up.
Now fitter for that first up effort, the extra distance should suit perfectly.
From the inside draw, expect him to settle within striking range under Logan Bates, who claims a valuable 2kg.