A capacity field has been assembled for the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) this Saturday, with the $3 Million Group l still regarded as one of the premier stallion making races in Australia hence why it’s such an important and key target race.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2022 Caulfield Guineas.
Market 💰: View the Odds for the Caulfield Guineas
2022 Caulfield Guineas Speed Map
There isn’t really a horse here that you could rubber stamp as a leader. I think given he’s drawn well, Elkington Road will be near the front, likewise Golden Mile. A key runner is Osipenko and with Tim Clark aboard, the best front running rider in Australia, I reckon he will be forwardly placed. A few horses drawn wide, namely Foujita San and Bank Maur, do they roll the dice and go forward or snag back.
2022 Caulfield Guineas Runner Preview
1. Tijuana: Tijuana has that sense of timing about him to be a leading contender. Lovely positive ride from Zahra saw him win the Stutt at The Valley. He rode to the track pattern and despite being there to be run down, he found plenty and was strong late. Hard to beat against these.
2. Berkeley Square: Berkeley Square is several weeks between runs and is primed to run well. He was an excellent winner of the Exford at Flemington, getting the suck run before Williams sliced his way through the field and drove hard late for an impressive win. He’ll love getting to the mile and it’s been known since the debut he’s a line chaser. He’ll do me.
3. Golden Mile: He looks one of the hardest to beat. Looked the winner for a few strides in the Golden Mile but just wanted to do a bit wrong under pressure and eventually finished fourth. J Mac on is a big tick, he’ll land in a plum spot and usually, the Sydney form is lengths better than Melbourne form. Hard to beat.
4. Millane: Millane is racing like the mile will be ideal. He comes through the Golden Rose where he just lacked the change up speed to go with them when they sprinted but was good late behind Jacquinot. He has had the Caulfield Guineas as his target race all prep, so I am not penning him as a threat.
5. Bank Maur: Couldn’t have asked for a better run at Sandown last time. Lobbed 1/1 in a sit and sprint affair and really, he was just too nippy for them. Highly doubt he gets that sort of run again and jury is out on how strong the form is around him. Happy to risk.
6. Foujita San: Got a good run in the Stutt and battled on pretty well in defeat when second to Tijuana. Been touted as a Guineas horse since the Autumn. I think if he’s to be a winning chance, they have to go forward. If they drag back to last, he’s not good enough to give them a start and a beating.
7. Meridius: His two runs back have been good. Narrow second at The Valley before second to Aft Cabin in the Prelude. For mine, he’s not quite up to this level. He’d be more a Carbine Club/Sandown Guineas horse if he was mine.
8. Skyphios: Won the 1800m 2YO race in the Winter to secure his Derby spot so he’ll be using this as a barrier trial. Looking elsewhere.
9. Osipenko: The jockey booking is key here. Tim Clark doesn’t ride often for the stable but when he does, it’s for a reason. Go forward. Too wet for him fresh in the Prelude but the lead is there to be had. Likely is him and he showed in the Winter that he’s a sharp animal. A win wouldn’t shock at all.
10. Amenable: He is screaming out as a Spring Champion/Derby horse. He gets well back in the run but finds the line strongly, which is what he did in the Prelude when third to Aft Cabin. Drawn wide again, likely goes back but will be strong at the end with an eye towards 2000m+.
11. Elkington Road: He’s a nice horse that is 2/2 to start his career but I just question what he has beaten. Fell in at Flemington last time and yes, he coukd be much better on top of the ground, but I’d rather watch.
12. Sir Bailey: Similar boat to Meridius. Ran well in the Prelude but he’s not up to this level. Needs it easier.
13. Elliptical: Race shape was against him at Sandown last time behind Bank Maur so I’m forgiving of that effort. He has a much better map this around and gets B Shinn to do no work from the gate. First four chance for sure.
14. Lethal Thoughts: Likely on a Derby path and is nominated for the Hill Smith at Morphettville on Saturday. Think he’d be the winner of that race. He won’t be troubling them here.
15. The Fortune Teller: Nice horse but was comfortably held behind Bank Maur at Sandown and I don’t think that’s the winning form reference.
16. Dashing: Wide no cover behind Elkington Road at Flemington and was brave in defeat. He’s not up to these though.
17. Angry Skies (First Emergency): Nice horse that looks like he will be much better suited in something easier ie Carbine Club.
18. Muramasa (Second Emergency): Valley didn’t suit him in the Stutt so a clear forgive. Doubt he gets a run but if he did, he could finish first half of the field without surprising. Has talent.
2022 Caulfield Guineas $100 Betting Strategy:
Backing three horses here. I think Golden Mile and Berkeley Square are the main two. They get $40 Win for each at $3.6/$6 respectively. The other $20 I’ll have $5 Win/$15 Place Osipenko @ $31/$7.50. I think he’ll land on speed and his best is good enough to be dangerous.
Group l Strategy Outlay: $1050
Group l Strategy Return: $375