Eight races on the Heath track kick off a big week of racing at Caulfield this Wednesday.
The meeting forms part of a huge few days that build toward Ladbrokes William Reid Stakes Day on Saturday, with fine weather forecast and the rail in the True position expected to provide ideal racing conditions.
Our best bet on Wednesday comes up in Race 4 with an improving runner from the Hawkes stable, while several well-supported favourites also look set to feature across the program.
For a full breakdown of all eight races, check out our Caulfield–Heath race-by-race preview below.
Eight races on the Heath track kick off a big week of racing at Caulfield this Wednesday.
The meeting forms part of a huge few days that build toward Ladbrokes William Reid Stakes Day on Saturday, with fine weather forecast and the rail in the True position expected to provide ideal racing conditions.
Our best bet on Wednesday comes up in Race 4 with an improving runner from the Hawkes stable, while several well-supported favourites also look set to feature across the program.
For a full breakdown of all eight races, check out our Caulfield–Heath race-by-race preview below.
LYRICS ‘N’ SONG (5) just needs some running room from the inside barrier to go on with the job now for Mark Walker and company.
The three-year-old Written Tycoon filly was good on return at Cranbourne three weeks ago, settling around midfield before some late traffic saw her held up at a crucial stage on her way to running third.
This is a sharp up from 1200m, but she did handle longer well during her maiden prep when placing in the Listed Twilight Glow Stakes last November.
A winner of her maiden second-up, she has good improvement still to come with the apprentice claim only helping her cause.
| 5. Lyrics ‘N’ Song (1) Scratched: | |||
GRAND OMAHA (8) should relish getting out over longer now having won her maiden over the mile at Geelong last year.
Matt Laurie’s filly was good without winning on return at Pakenham a fortnight earlier, speeding out to the front from the wide gate before her condition gave way, eventually settling for third behind the fast-finishing Next Jen.
She’s in 1kg lighter here with Patrick Moloney making weight and is likely to adopt similar tactics from another awkward alley.
| 8. Grand Omaha (7) J: Patrick Moloney 55.5kg 210×3 T: Matt Laurie |
Happy to stick with OLIVEANOTHERDAY (1) as the short-priced favourite.
The son to Nicconi was given a dream run fresh at Ballarat last month, moving up along the outside approaching the turn and eventually letting rip with a devastating turn of foot to go 4.75 lengths clear.
The fact he handled 1200m fresh like that suggests he’s in for an enormous prep, and with tougher races in his sights, he only needs to be close enough to the front on Wednesday to make a mess of his rivals.
| 1. Oliveanotherday (5) J: Damian Lane 60.5kg 214×1 T: Tom Dabernig |
SANTANA (9) might be one of the best bets on the card based on what we saw from him fresh here a couple of weeks ago.
A son to Ole Kirk, the Hawkes-trained three-year-old settled close to the fence before shifting out approaching the furlong, bursting into the clear to finish a length off Melian in a very good go for the line.
Jamie Melham sticks and has a bit more work to do this time from an awkward gate, but more running room this time and fitness on his side, he should be very hard to hold out.
| 9. Santana (9) J: Jamie Melham 59kg 8×2 T: M, W & J Hawkes |
Craig Williams climbs back aboard BAYOU MUSIC (10) helping to build on their effort for fourth two runs back where they blew the start.
The Godolphin three-year-old has mixed his form during his short time at the races, struggling from wide barriers with his runs spaced.
He was slow away again last start at Pakenham when beaten five lengths, but it’s fair to wonder if the step back to the mile never really suited. Consideirng he was four weeks between runs, we should see natural improvement on less of a turnaround in a very open race.
| 10. Bayou Music (4) J: Craig Williams 55.5kg 2×446 T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |
ETERNAL (11) was a horror watch for those aboard the Chris Waller four-year-old last time out.
The son to Epaulette was blocked late for a run and forced to settle for fourth, but the good news is he might be afforded a clearer path this time around with Ben Melham sticking from a wider gate.
We saw him make am ess of his rivals over this trip when he won at Sale by four lengths last August, so don’t be surprised if he’s finishing strongly over the top again.
| 11. Eternal (6) J: Ben Melham 58kg x16x4 T: Chris Waller |
MRS IGLESIA (12) appeals third-up for the Hayes boys.
She was close to another win last start at Cranbourne when finding the box seat, holding her position all the way through the line to finish second behind Gentle Steel – a mare who came out and won quite well last Saturday.
Fitter now and in well at the weights with a 3kg claim, expect another honest showing.
| 12. Mrs Iglesia (7) J: Jackson Radley 58kg 15×52 T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
REGENERATION (9) steps out over 1000m for the first time off two solid trials leading in.
We last saw the Freedman-trained three-year-old contesting the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes over the spring where he was far from disgraced running third after leading for most of the way.
Given his racing style, the wide gate poses no real issues for Damian Lane as the pair will likely push forward early and look to lead.
| 9. Regeneration (6) J: Damian Lane 58kg x213x T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |