Caulfield Heath Tips & Preview | Wednesday 4 March

SMOKE SCREEN (8) looks to have returned a treat for Ciaron Maher and connections. 

The filly out of Deep Field bolted in to grab second on return at Ballarat last month, rattling off some impressive late sectionals over the same trip behind the winner Lonstar. 

She’s had an interrupted start to her career with he runs spaced, but looks to have matured over the break. With good improvement still to come, she’s worth following with the gate also working in her favour.  

MR INDEPENDENT (3) looks capable of going on with it now. 

The three-year-old son to Doubtland broke through to shed the maiden tag at Pakenham only narrowly last start over the mile, settling in behind the speed nice and early before pouncing down the straight. 

He found the box seat in similar fashion the start prior at Sandown on his wayw to running second in early February, a race that has produced strong form since. 

It looks as though No. 1 and No. 5 will go hard early and set up something to chase, which should suit this boy just fine as he gets out over further now.  

FIRST FIFTEEN (7) presents an intriguing case second-up under Logan Bates this time.  

Ciaron Maher’s filly really caught the eye when resuming a winner at Sale a few weeks ago, showcasing a terrific turn of foot over the final furlong to let down with a big run to win by 1.75 lengths. 

She’s in well here with the apprentice claim and draws to do no work early from the low gate. This is tougher again, but she looks to have good upside. 

MELIAN (4) should have good support after finding a few excuses on debut at Cranbourne.  

The Street Boss three-year-old was runner-up to Arlington Row, a good form line with that same filly going on to win her next start at Cranbourne three weeks later.  

Keep in mind he was held up badly down the straight approaching the 400m mark, so with some luck from out wide this time and Craig Williams dropping 1kg in the saddle, he’s in with a big chance. 

LOUD CHARLIE (5) gets Mark Zahra on board looking to improve on a disappointing effort at Flemington in the CS Hayes Stakes a fortnight ago.  

Lloyd Kennewell’s gelding was severely outclassed up to Group 3 level, struggling from a horror gate on his way to finishing second last, beaten over five lengths. 

His previous win at Sandown suggests he can bounce back though, and he should be rock-hard fit with three runs under his belt as he gets out ot 1500m for the first time. 

ETERNAL (8) looks tough to beat if she’s forward enough.  

The daughter to Epaulette resumes with two wins on the board, including a 1200m romping over her rivals at Sale first-up last August where she put a small field to the sword with an electric turn of foot. 

She was far from disgraced when finishing midfield at Sandown second-up, before being put away to the paddock in time for the autumn. 

Her latest trial at this venue was encouraging and she’s drawn to get a nice cart into the race from midfield. Look for her late. 

LONSTAR (7) looks somewhat of a straight bat play in a very deep sprint race. 

The Freedman-trained son to Cosmic Force was an impressive winner of his maiden off a good break at Ballarat last start, overcoming a three-wide position entering the straight to hit the line hard with real authority. 

This is harder again, but he’s drawn the right gate and gets Mark Zahra in the saddle looking to take the next step.  

CELERITY (10) should be winning if she can slot across and find early cover from a tricky gate. 

Ciaron Maher’s mare has been a touch frustrating in two recent runs, only being run down late two back at Flemington, before venturing out over the track and distance here just under a month ago where she found the box seat and was good all the way through the line. 

Going back to her win three back at Headquarters, we know she has the ability, especially with Jamie Melham – who rode her to that win – returning to the saddle on Wednesday.