Caulfield Heath Tips & Preview | Wednesday 20 May

MELBOURNE MAGIC (4) draws to get all the favours from the inside alley, which could prove crucial with the rail in the True.

Simon Wilde’s four-year-old is still chasing his maiden win, having been tested first-up in a tougher race at Warrnambool where he finished midfield in very heavy conditions.

He’ll be much better suited getting onto a firmer surface here and strips fitter second-up over the 1200m. Expect Craig Williams to settle back from the draw, conserve energy early and look to finish over the top late.

LOCARD (11) gets in nicely at the weights with the benefit of the 2kg claim.

The Blue Point filly was a touch green on debut at Bendigo, running into early traffic before overdoing things at a crucial stage and finishing back in the field.

She’d shown she handles the wet in jump outs leading in, and with the low draw to suit, she shapes as a genuine chance dropping back to the 1000m.

RICH DOTTIE (1) resumes for Grahame Begg and brings some solid first-up form to this.

The Written Tycoon mare was contesting stronger races over the spring, including a Group 2 sprint at Caulfield where she wasn’t far away behind Rey Magnerio.

She’s trialled up nicely ahead of her return and from the inside draw should be able to roll forward, control the tempo and give a good sight on speed.

PULA (8) just needs a touch of luck early from the wide draw to bring up a hat-trick.

She’s been kept fresh with a three-week gap since her narrow win over this track and trip, and that form has stacked up nicely since.

The third horse has gone on to win the Casterton Cup, while runner-up Autumn Slide has since performed well in Stakes company at Morphettville.

She’ll appreciate any rain that arrives, and with Craig Williams in the saddle, she looks in safe hands.

ELECTRIC STAR (11) looks well up to this assignment.

The Zoustar mare was an eye-catching winner at Pakenham a fortnight ago, charging home late after a slow start to score at her first run for the Tolson and Proctor team in similar conditions.

She’s a proven wet tracker, draws to get a nice run from the low gate, and with the apprentice claim gets in well at the weights carrying just 56.5kg.

GWEN’S GIRL (2) is worth forgiving off a plain first-up showing on the heavy track at Warrnambool.

The Rubick filly settled a long way back and gave away too much start but still worked home nicely to grab third.

She’ll appreciate getting onto a slightly firmer surface second-up, and her earlier form this prep shows she’s more than capable over these sharp sprint trips.

From the soft draw, she maps to roll forward, take up the running and give a strong sight on speed.

VIVACISSIMO (9) should appreciate getting out in trip second-up.

The Hayes camp have a very honest mare on their hands here, with the daughter of Contributer finishing no worse than fourth in her past seven runs.

She was runner-up over 1300m at Bendigo earlier this month, settling back before making good late ground.

Drawn to find clear running, she’ll be saved for one last crack under Ben Allen and should be right in the finish.

BARBARIC LAD (8) can be a bit hit and miss, but there was plenty to like about his first-up effort at Geelong.

The Freedman-trained gelding blew the start and settled well back, but once he found clear running in the straight, he let down strongly to grab second under Mark Zahra.

They reunite here second-up, and with a kinder draw this time, he shouldn’t have as much to do in the run.