With the Caulfield Cup fast approaching, Justhorseracing will over the next few weeks provide you with an in-depth look at the major players to contest the big race and how they are tracking, as well as giving you a preview of where they’ll run next, and a review of how they fared the weekend prior.
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And for the punters wanting to find some value, you need not worry. Week by week we will preview several value runners that should be monitored closely as they head towards possible Spring glory!
Caulfield Cup
Who ran last weekend?
It’s hard to find a more bonny mare than Dear Demi, who was outstanding in winning the Stocks Stakes (1600m) last Friday night at Moonee Valley, camping off the speed, taking her time to go through the gears on the turn, then surging late and grabbing Solicit right on the post. She ran fourth in the Caulfield Cup last year, but she is going lengths better in 2014 and will go into the race as a serious, serious prospect.
Signoff promised so much in the Autumn, with a couple of breathtaking wins at the Valley, but he was disappointing in the JRA Cup (2040m) after being well backed in betting. He never got into the race from a rearward position and was chasing all the way thanks to The Cleaner. He is way down in the order of the entry and would need to win the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) on Caulfield Guineas Day to get a start.
2013 Crown Oaks winner Kirramosa has steadily been brought back to fitness, and there was plenty to like about her closing fifth in the Shannon Stakes (1500m) to Epsom Handicap 91600m) favourite Rock Sturdy. Nominated to run this weekend at Randwick in either the Epsom or Craven Plate (2000m) en route to the Caulfield Cup.
Who is running this weekend?
Lucia Valentina is one of the early top picks in betting for the Caulfield Cup after two outstanding runs to date, starting off with a surprising yet stunning first up win in the Tramway Handicap (1400m) before running an excellent sixth in the George Main Stakes (1600m) after racing last throughout, and on a day where it was hard to make up ground, she was the real eye catcher. Due to run in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) and will be close to running around as favourite.
View the Turnbull Stakes market HERE
One of the main chances towards the Caulfield Cup is Spillway, and most were expecting him to earn an automatic entry into the final field with a win in the Naturalism Stakes (2000m), but bad luck and an ordinary ride cost him any chance of winning, so David Hayes, along with Tom Dabernig, are taking the Tawqeet path of 2006 by hopefully winning the Metropolitan (2400m) and then win the Caulfield Cup.
View the Metropolitan market HERE
The sleeper in the big race is Sertorius, who has been very good in two runs back from a break. He was very good through the line when sixth in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) before sticking it out okay late in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m). He is at his best when racing at 2000m and beyond, and we will get a good guide as to where he is at in the Turnbull.
View the Turnbull Stakes market HERE
Where is the value?
Don’t sack La Amistad yet. The sister of Makybe Diva has always been talked up due to her famous headlines, but many have been quick to jump ship after an ordinary Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) and then a fair fourth in the Hill Stakes (2000m). In the Kingston Town, she was ridden far too close to the speed, and in the Hill, she had no hope given Junoob walked them in front. We will know how good she is this Saturday in the Metropolitan where she gets to a 2400m handicap. Last time she raced under those conditions, she spaced her rivals, being eased down on the line at Listed level.
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Quayside has really showed her true ability since joining the Peter Moody yard, and has been very impressive in two runs this time in, both resulting in wins. First up she absolutely brained them at Sportingbet Park, then went to Morphettville for the Tokyo City Cup (1800m), where she was three wide with no cover for the entire trip at the back of the pack, but continued to travel well and eventually wore them down to score a massive win. Keep an eye on her over the next couple of weeks.
Quayside is currently $34 with Sportsbet.com.au + Register via this link for a $250 Bonus Bet!
The famous bloodlines Let’s Make A Deal (close relation to 1991 Caulfield/Melbourne Cup winner Let’s Elope) has will ensure that she is kept safe in markets. Her three runs this time in have been okay without a great deal of luck. Needed the run in the Memsie, then had no luck in the Australian Bloodstock Stakes (1700m) and Naturalism respectively. She showed in the Autumn she can run a trip at Group l level and be competitive. Nominated for the Turnbull, so you’ll see where she is at after that run.
