The feature race at Caulfield this Saturday is the Caulfield Guineas (1600m), which looks open on paper.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Caulfield Guineas.
2025 Caulfield Guineas Runner Preview:
1. Rivellino: The talent is there but until he jumps clean, he goes through to the keeper.
2. Wodeton: Wodeton is bursting to win a Group 1. He tried his guts out in the Golden Rose but just found one better in Beiwacht. Credit to him though, he looked like he would run third or fourth but he kept on to finish second. 1600m, off that run, should be fine, and is a key chance.
3. Vinrock: He is a big track horse IMO ie Randwick/Flemington. He showed at Caulfield fresh he was plain and was never comfortable at The Valley in the Stutt. Drawn wide, will press forward…but can’t entertain him and seems so short.
4. Nepotism: The talent is well and truly there. He just hasn’t fired yet in Sydney but he does have the runs on the board and gets a big jockey upgrade. He’s right in the mix.
5. West Of Swindon: Got front end control in the Stutt Stakes and it was race over. That said, he only just got there and this is different gravy regarding class and depth. Keen to take him on.
6. Vega For Luck: Led at a slow tempo in the Prelude and was run down. No chance at the mile for mine.
7. Highvol: He is a nice horse but the draw pretty much seals his fate.
8. Navy Pilot: Loved the way he knuckled down with purpose to win at Sandown and has that sense of timing for a stable who does have a good record in the race. Maps to do no work, he’s a key chance.
9. Autumn Boy: I want to give Autumn Boy another chance. I was keen on him in the Golden Rose but he was given none re the ride by Collett. That said, he was never beating Beiwacht but he actually didn’t finish his race too bad late in the piece. First up run was a beauty and off that, he has the class to take this out.
10. Space Rider: Race shape was completely against him in the Prelude but loved the way he closed off late. 1600m should be fine…map is tricky but off last start, he’s over the odds.
11. Prestige Ole: Not sure he was 100% suited around The Valley but even allowing for that, he was plain. Pass.
12. Hillier: Solid effort in the Stutt Stakes but not sure he is up to these.
13. Stay Cosmic: Plain in the Prelude and can’t entertain him as a threat.
14. Planet Red: Planet Red comes through the Prelude from three weeks back. He was just left flat-footed when the sprint went on but he kept on and kept finding the line in a pretty good effort in defeat behind Estremo. Not sure he is good enough to win but can run top four.
15. Romantic Encounter: The price gap between he and West Of Swindon is far too great. Wasn’t much between them in the Stutt and this guy has more upside to come. I think he’ll run a positive race.
16. Observer: Solid return at Sandown but needs it easier.
17. Centu Cavaddi (First Emergency): SCR
18. Regal Award (Second Emergency): SCR
2025 Caulfield Guineas $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win / $80 Place Autumn Boy Tote/SP
Group 1 Strategy Outlay: $1200
Group 1 Strategy Return: $805
Caulfield Guineas Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RIVELLINO | Kris Lees | Craig Williams | 3 | 57kg |
| 2 | WODETON | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 10 | 57kg |
| 3 | VINROCK | Matt Laurie | Mark Zahra | 14 | 57kg |
| 4 | NEPOTISM | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Blake Shinn | 12 | 57kg |
| 5 | WEST OF SWINDON | Ciaron Maher | Ben Melham | 16 | 57kg |
| 6 | VEGA FOR LUCK (NZ) | Matt Laurie | Jamie Mott | 7 | 57kg |
| 7 | HIGHVOL | Nick Ryan | Declan Bates | 18 | 57kg |
| 8 | NAVY PILOT | Ciaron Maher | Ms Jamie Melham | 2 | 57kg |
| 9 | AUTUMN BOY | Chris Waller | Damian Lane | 1 | 57kg |
| 10 | SPACE RIDER | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Beau Mertens | 11 | 57kg |
| 11 | PRESTIGE OLE | Matt Laurie | Harry Coffey | 4 | 57kg |
| 12 | HILLIER | Annabel & Rob Archibald | Luke Currie | 17 | 57kg |
| 13 | STAY COSMIC | Phillip Stokes | Thomas Stockdale | 15 | 57kg |
| 14 | PLANET RED | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Jordan Childs | 5 | 57kg |
| 15 | ROMANTIC ENCOUNTER (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Daniel Stackhouse | 13 | 57kg |
| 16 | OBSERVER | Ciaron Maher | Ethan Brown | 9 | 57kg |
Caulfield Guineas Odds
2025 Caulfield Guineas Speed Map
There doesn’t appear to be much early pressure. I think West Of Swindon can come across and lead. Romantic Encounter could push forward and settle handy, likewise Observer. Hillier could get the cart across via West Of Swindon.
