The feature sprint race at Caulfield this Saturday is the Scillachi Stakes (1100m), which looks open on paper.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Schillaci Stakes.
2025 Scillachi Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Giga Kick: Best horse in the race but just not sure where he is at. Trial/jumpout work has been strong, he’ll be strong at the end…just depends if he’s fit. Market will be the guide.
2. Golden Boom: He was game in defeat in the Moir behind Baraqiel. But I am happy to die on the hill when saying to pen any T Gollan runner away from Brisbane. If he wins, I am losing on the race.
3. Queman: He does seem a big price given he is a previous winner of the Oakleigh Plate at this track/distance and was a forgive in the Moir. He’s a sneaky chance at odds.
4. Nadal: Nadal is a class animal for Ciaron Maher that resumes. He hasn’t raced since The Supernova on Pakenham Cup Day where not much went right for him when midfield behind Here To Shock. Trialled up super and will launch late, especially given he’s looking like he’s being trained as a sprinter.
5. Sir Sway: Much better suited here vs the Moir/Manikato but the draw pretty much seals his fate.
6. Tropicus: Tropicus is several weeks between runs for Team Freedman since a first up win here when getting front end control and he gave nothing else a look in to win and win quite well. Arkansaw Kid franked that form subsequent, so he appeals.
7. Benedetta: Thought she would have been retired after last season where she was solid, but wasn’t at the level she was 12 months prior. Maps ideally though and does go well fresh. Market will be a good guide.
8. Arabian Summer: Had the suck run in transit in the Moir and tried hard, just failing to get there behind Baraqiel when third. Maps well from the gate and better for the run, she’s a key chance.
9. Niance: Niance is a big improver. She hasn’t raced since resuming in the Moir where she pretty much went around for a barrier trial from the wide gate. Maps to settle much closer, she likes Caulfield, upside…rates highly.
10. Devil Night: Has been a tad plain in two runs and although he returns to the scene of his Blue Diamond triumph, he can go through to the keeper.
2025 Scillachi Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win / $80 Place Nadal Tote/SP
Schillaci Stakes Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GIGA KICK | Clayton Douglas | Mark Zahra | 5 | 58.5kg |
| 2 | GOLDEN BOOM | Tony Gollan | Blake Shinn | 3 | 58.5kg |
| 3 | QUEMAN | Shane & Cassie Oxlade | Jamie Mott | 9 | 58.5kg |
| 4 | NADAL | Ciaron Maher | Ethan Brown | 7 | 58.5kg |
| 5 | SIR SWAY | Sue & Jason Jaensch | Lachlan Neindorf | 10 | 58.5kg |
| 6 | TROPICUS | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Damian Lane | 8 | 58.5kg |
| 7 | BENEDETTA | Ciaron Maher | Ms Jamie Melham | 2 | 56.5kg |
| 8 | ARABIAN SUMMER | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Harry Coffey | 6 | 56.5kg |
| 9 | NIANCE (NZ) | Grahame Begg | Jordan Childs | 1 | 56.5kg |
| 10 | DEVIL NIGHT | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Craig Williams | 4 | 53kg |
Schillaci Stakes Odds
2025 Scillachi Stakes Speed Map
Golden Boom and Queman look the main two speed players here, with the former the likely leader. Sir Sway will get the cart over via Queman while Arabian Summer could settle handy.