Racing returns to the Caulfield Heath, with an eight race program to be run and won this Wednesday.
The track is currently rated a soft 7 and the rail will be in the true position.
You can find my thoughts and selections for each race below in my Caulfield Heath Preview.
SKETCH has placed in both starts this campaign and she boasts solid form around her.
The Brazen Beau filly tried hard when resuming over 1200m at Kilmore but just couldn’t reel in the leader, who has since won again.
She then stepped up to 1400m at Ballarat and closed off strongly to finish half a length off subsequent VRC Oaks winner, Strictly Business.
She’s fit, the rise to the mile looks ideal with the advantage of the inside draw, she looks the one to beat.
| 8. Sketch (1) 56kg74×23 |
ESPANA gets the visors on for the first time and I think we’ll see a much improvement effort from her.
The daughter of Capitalist had just had the three runs prior to her return, placing at her first two starts before an average effort at Bendigo, where it was reported she made an unusual respiratory noise.
With the tongue tie applied, she finished off strongly in two jump outs but was a touch plain when resuming.
She gets 2kg off with Logan Bates’ claim and if she does everything right, I think she’ll be too good for them.
| 8. Espana (5) 56kg32×53 |
CAVERN kicked off his career with a decisive victory over 1000m at Bendigo and I think he can go on with it.
Slightly slow away, he mustered good speed to take up the running and kicked clear at the top of the straight to hold a 1.5 length margin on the line.
A son of Brazen Beau, the colt had impressed in a jump out win twelve days prior and he looks very progressive.
With natural improvement and a touch of luck off the wide gate, I think he can make it two from two.
| 8. Cavern (8) 59kg1 |
CHERGUI proved superior last start at Ballarat and he’s sure to make his presence felt one again.
The Godolphin galloper was just run down late when resuming as a gelding at Seymour and with the added fitness, he was too strong for them last time.
Now under the care of the Lindsay Park team the son of Frosted showed plenty of promise in his first campaign, placing in both the VOBIS Showdown and Listed St Albans Stakes.
He brings the strongest formlines into this event and I think he has the class to overcome the big weight and wide gate.
| 1. Chergui (7) 61kg32×21 |
JENNI MULTABELLA closed off strongly when kicking off over 1400 at Ballarat and she looks ideally placed here second up.
Returning from a lengthy stint on the sidelines, the Ace High mare settled well back over the 1400m journey and under the 61kg impost, she charged home to get within half a length of the all-the-way winner.
It was just the second race start for the four year old mare, who won well on debut at Sale back in July last year.
She looks to have plenty of upside and will have taken improvement from that first up outing.
The rise to the mile will suit and the low draw will see her enjoy a soft run throughout under Beau Mertens.
| 11. Jenni Multabella (2) 57kg1×2 |
TIVACI CODE comes off a strong maiden win and he looks very progressive.
The three year old made his debut over 1457m at Kilmore just eight weeks ago and he’s shown significant improvement in all three runs.
Very raw on that occasion, he was given a four week let up and stepping up over 1500m at Ballarat at his following outing, he was still green but finished off strongly into second, holding a big gap back to third.
He took up the running last time over 1700m at Warrnambool and left them in his wake as he kicked cleat at the top of the straight to post a 4.5 length margin on the line.
The slight rise in trip will suit and he draws to get all the favours under Craig Williams.
| 11. Tivaci Code (5) 56.5kg521 |
EXPRESS GUARD resumes off a seven week let up.
He put together back to back wins last preparation and he’s been solid through the line in both runs back this time in.
Lightly raced, the Alabama Express gelding hasn’t always had the best of luck but he looks very capable.
His latest run saw to him close off strongly over 1300m on the Hillside to fill the placings with subsequent Derby winner Observer.
He looked sharp in a recent 800m jump out and if he can slot in and find cover off the tricky draw, he’s sure to be strong late.
| 9. Express Guard (8) 57.5kg18×43 |
TERRILEE resumes.
A daughter of Territories, the mare showed plenty of talent in her first preparation and given two recent jump outs, she looks have returned in top order.
She kicked off her career with a dominant three length victory over this course and distance but had no luck at her at her following outing.
The eye catcher third up, charging home from the tail to finish second on the Hillside, she then went to paddock on a high after saluting over 1300m at that same track.
Craig Williams will take the reins for Michael Kent and barrier four should see her afforded every chance.
| 3. Terilee (2) 60kg1021x |