Caulfield Heath Tips & Preview | Wednesday 18 February

CANNAE (4) looks as though he’s ready for further now heading into his second start. 

Danny O’Brien’s gelding dropped back to last on debut over 1300m at Sandown three weeks ago, sticking to the outside out of the turn where he charged home well to grab fourth in a good go for the line. 

He quickened real intent over the final furlong, and even though Damian Lane has a slight task at hand from the wide gate, this looks a great race for him to improve and take the next step.  

EN FLIQUE (9) looks ready to run a big race again under Lachlan King. 

The daughter to Blue Point was a clear four-length winner two back at Wangaratta, backing that performance up with a brave effort at Sandown over the same trip two weeks ago where he just found the leader Figlio D’argento a touch too good over the final stages. 

She’s been in work for a while but seems to have turned a corner of late. With the inside gate again to her advantage, a similar effort would see her hard to beat. 

FUNDAMENTAL NATURE (2) has gone up a nice price for a filly who won quite impressively on debut at Pakenham last month. 

Ciaron Maher’s daughter to Exceedance was four-wide into the straight, working through the gears nicely over the final stretch to eyeball Afterberna all the way to the line for a strong win with a bit left to give. 

She’s been given nearly a month between runs and a soft jump out between starts, but I think she’ll handle 1200m in her stride providing the step up to carrying 60kg doesn’t prove too much. 

PULA (10) looks as though she’s returned quite well for Danny O’Brien. 

She was unlucky not to score fresh at Sandown three weeks ago over 1300m, running on well with the leader Yukaina just too far in front when it mattered most. 

By Pierro, she’s been a tricky mare to get a read on at times, but she does have some nice second-up form and experience racing over 1500m. A touch of early luck from the wide gate wouldn’t go astray. 

MONGOLIAN MISSION (4) maps to lead with Michael Dee taking over in the saddle. 

This lightly-raced three-year-old has been game in defeat in his last three tries, notably finishing runner-up in a small field at Sale last start where he led for most of the way over 1400m. 

He’s untried over the mile but gets a nice low gate to roll forward again and dictate with good fitness on his side. 

CONSCIENCE (7) appeals big time third-up out of the Moody and Coleman camp. 

The Snitzel filly gets the blinkers this time coming off a tough run in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes last start that saw her up close to the speed in the early stages, eventually failing to finish off despite finishing within two lengths of Space Rider. 

She comes back a level now and is drawn perfectly in barrier 2, and with Jordan Childs carrying only 55kg, she’ll be incredibly hard to hold out.  

TRAPDOOR (10) comes back from a lengthy spell with a couple of soft trial runs under his belt.  

We haven’t seen much from the three-year-old out of the Hawkes stable, but you only have to rewind back to his 2.5 length win on debut at Geelong last August to find out what he’s all about. 

Ben Melham steering is worth noting and he just needs a little luck from the gate to settle back and launch late. 

HUMZA BEY (8) gets his first look at a dry track for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr. 

This talented four-year-old strung together two wins to start his career early in the spring, before being put away to the paddock to mature in time for the autumn. 

The son of Irish Group 1 winner Belardo resumed for third at Sale three weeks ago on a soft track over 1400m, a race that never really went to plan with the pattern and tempo against him. 

Likely also needing the run off a big break, the step up to the mile appeals now second-up with a handy 4kg drop in the saddle also working to his advantage.