The first of five black type races on the card at Caulfield this Saturday, is for the 3yo Colts and Geldings over 1100m – the Vain Stakes. Only a field of nine will face the starter but within that number are some very smart and promising types. Safeguard, winner of the Kindergarten Stakes and Il Cavallo, the close relation to Starspanglebanner, are equal favourites at $3.50 with Hill Spy ($4.80) and the well performed Fast’n’Rocking at $6.50.
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1. SAFEGUARD – K McEvoy (3) 56.5kgs
Won on debut in December last year at Flemington before being tipped out by Trainer Peter Snowden and returning some four months later to claim the G3 Kindergarten Stakes in impressive style. Snowden stated that this horse was held in the highest regard by the Darley team and given the crop of 2yos they produced last year, that is a very flattering statement. No trails for this son of Exceed and Excel but he’ll be ready to produce.
Odds: $3.30
2. FAST’N’ROCKING – B Prebble (2) 55kgs
This David Hayes trained galloper is still searching for his maiden win, seven starts now into his career however, judging by his performance during the Autumn, he’s time will surely come. He finished a head second to Criterion in the Todman Stakes before drawing wide in the Golden Slipper and producing a fantastic effort to run fifth behind Overreach. He rounded out his Autumn campaign with a fifth (beaten 1.7 lengths) in the G1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) behind Guelp. He won a barrier trial at Randwick two weeks ago but not sure if he’ll have enough speed to capitalise on the draw and may need a little further now.
Odds: $6.50
3. REGIMENTAL PRIDE – S Baster (7) 55kgs
Well bred More Than Ready colt who has won two of his nine starts – both at Rosehill at the back end of last year, who resumed from a seventeen week spell with a plain effort behind Lord of the Sky and followed that up a long last behind Monkstone last start. There are not the two kinds of run you would want to see heading into a race of this quality.
Odds: $67.00
4. CLEVADUDE – G Boss (4) 55kgs
After two wins from as many starts, this son of Bel Esprit started 5/1 in this year’s Magic Millions back in January but from a poor draw, was never in the hunt. Trainer Rick Hore-Lacey immediately spelled his galloper and returned him, with no trials, to claim a BM 78 at Moonee Valley a fortnight ago, leading all the way and holding on by a length. He’ll no doubt strip much fitter for that run and from four, will be in the firing line for most of the way but this is his first attempt at taking on some top shelf juveniles.
Odds: $7.50
5. Il Cavallo – L Nolen (9)
Some big wraps on the Peter Moody son of Choisir who, after easily scoring on debut at a Sandown mid-week meeting back in March, was immediately taken to Sydney for a tilt at the G3 Kindergarten Stakes. He jumped in that race as even money favourite but soon after topping the Randwick rise, he – and punters, were under pressure. He finished seventh of nine, over eight lengths from Safeguard. Punters have stuck with him though and they quickly snapped up the $4.20 opening price on Wednesday afternoon.
Odds: $3.60
6. HILL SPY – B Melham (6) 55kgs
Son of O’Reilly who was given two barrier trials by his trainer Robert Smerdon back in April but not seen again then until he stepped out in a RST 68 event at Morphettville as 8/11 on favourite. He duly saluted, circling the filed to win by a length over Exodus. Trainer obviously has a very high opinion of him and has been kept safe in early markets but would rather see him at this level first.
Odds: $5.00
7. THIS IS WAR – B Higgins (5) 55kgs
This son of Dash For Cash has only had the two starts, one back in March and the other, a fortnight ago at Moonee Valley. On each occasion he was well accounted for and would think he is aiming way too high here.
Odds: $151.00
8. DURAN – D Dunn (8) 55kgs
Tale Of The Cat colt making his debut with his trainer Tony Vasil, starting him in the deep end. Vasil should have a good measuring stick to gauge this bloke by though as he also trained Duran’s sibling’s – Elvstroem and Haradasun. No public trials also adds further interest to this runner and the market has opened him up cautiously, at $9.00
Odds: $11.00
9. TEQUILA RED – W Egan (1) 55kgs
Another debutant this colt being by Bel Esprit out of a mare called Spectrum’s Image who produced Listed winner Hooness. Again, not seen at the public trials but unlike Duran, has opened up at the big odds of $51.00
Odds: $81.00
OVERVIEW
Clevadude should lead out form gate four and in doing so; provide a lovely trail for Safeguard to follow. Snowden stated Safeguard was initially their number one Slipper horse last season and his win in the Kindergarten displayed why his trainer thought so. Il Cavallo draws wide here and without going forward, I think he gives Safeguard too much of a start but, he’s firmed a point already in the better as of Wednesday the wraps have been on him from the start. Fast’n’Rocking should not be overlooked and will be finishing hard provided he gets a touch of luck in running rounding the bend.
- SAFEGUARD
- IL CAVALLO
- FAST’N”ROCKING
