The VOBIS Showdown (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday is another feature on the program, with Miss Chanel currently sitting as a well tried favourite in what looks a competitive juvenile contest.
Milsons Point drops back in grade after finishing down the track in the Blue Diamond Stakes and is better suited at this level, although he looked a tired horse in that run and the market appears to share that view. Knurl resumes for Team McEvoy after a solid spring campaign that included a win at Bendigo, and his recent jumpout work has reportedly been strong following a good break.
Big Wigs brings solid form into the race after closing strongly for second behind Medicinal at Ballarat, with that form reading well after the winner scored again last Saturday. The Troubleshooter made a reasonable debut behind Gin Twist and while some ratings suggest that race rated well, he appears overlooked in betting.
Jourama bumped into a smart one on debut at Newcastle that has since won again in town, and while the step up in distance looks suitable, this might be a tougher assignment. Golden Trove looks up against it on what has been shown so far.
Lomu is an interesting runner on debut for Team Browne, who won this race last year with McGaw, and strong work at Caulfield during the week has encouraged the stable to take their chance. Phillip Island also caught the eye with a sharp recent trial win on the Heath track and market moves late could be telling.
Valaroso has a 1000m trial under his belt and comes from a stable capable of producing quality juveniles, making him one to monitor in betting.
Miss Chanel heads the market but looks somewhat limited and the wide draw could see her forced to work early, while the overall strength of the Sydney two-year-old form is open to question. Lagunanini, trained by Busuttin and Young, was dominant on debut at Sale when leading throughout on a wet track and looks capable of measuring up to this level. Tagabella appears a nice type but may find this race a bit beyond her at this stage.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2026 VOBIS The Showdown.
2026 VOBIS Showdown Runner Preview:
1. Milsons Point: Down the track in the Blue Diamond and is much better suited at this level…but gee he looked a tired horse in the Blue Diamond and the market thinks similar.
2. Knurl: Team McEvoy had a couple nominated here and go with the sole rep in Knurl, who resumes. He had a pretty solid Spring prep, highlighted by a win at Bendigo when beating one runner. Given a good break and has looked to jump out really well.
3. Big Wigs: Closed with real purpose last start at Ballarat when second to Medicinal, a strong winner last Saturday, so the form reads well. Just needs luck from the gate to be around the mark.
4. The Troubleshooter: Didn’t do a bad job on debut behind Gin Twist. The ratings people (some) say that race rated through the roof, yet this guy is $26+ in betting. Happy to let go through to the keeper.
5. Jourama: Bumped into a little rocket on debut at Newcastle, who won again last Wednesday in town. Like the rise in trip but think this might be a fraction too hard.
6. Golden Trove: $201 looks unders.
7. Lomu: Team Browne won this race last year with McGaw and are looking for history to repeat with Lomu. He is on debut and from all reports, worked well here on Tuesday morning, enough to convince the stable to have a crack. Watch betting.
8. Phillip Island: Moved very well in a recent trial win here on the Heath track and market says he is to be respected. Last 5-10 minutes of betting will be key.
9. Valaroso: Has the 1000m trial under the belt, which should hold him in good stead for this, and stable can produce a nice juvenile, so watch betting.
10. Miss Chanel: Think she is very limited hence why she is here and not in Sydney. They’re having a shot at a big money race but drawn wide, will do work and the Sydney 2YO form, as a whole, looks risky. Keen to oppose.
11. Lagunanini: Lagunanini might be a pretty sharp filly for Busuttin/Young. Not sure she beat much on debut at Sale but she was dominant from on speed, handled the wet track and won quite impressively. Good test here, but think she can measure up.
12. Tagabella: Looks a nice filly but not up to these.
2026 VOBIS Showdown $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place Knurl
The Showdown Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MILSONS POINT | Ciaron Maher | Ben Melham | 10 | 58kg |
| 2 | KNURL | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Harry Coffey | 9 | 58kg |
| 3 | BIG WIGS | Phillip Stokes | Lachlan Neindorf | 12 | 58kg |
| 4 | THE TROUBLESHOOTER | John Sadler | Jye McNeil | 2 | 58kg |
| 5 | JOURAMA | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Jamie Mott | 5 | 58kg |
| 6 | GOLDEN TROVE | Rodney Foster | John Allen | 4 | 58kg |
| 7 | LOMU | Emma-Lee & David Browne | Dean Yendall | 3 | 58kg |
| 8 | PHILLIP ISLAND | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Ms Jamie Melham | 6 | 58kg |
| 9 | VALAROSO | Cindy Alderson | Logan Bates (a) | 8 | 58kg |
| 10 | MISS CHANEL | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Jordan Childs | 11 | 56kg |
| 11 | LAGUNANINI | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Beau Mertens | 1 | 56kg |
| 12 | TAGABELLA | Ken & Kasey Keys | Luke Currie | 7 | 56kg |
The Showdown Odds
2026 VOBIS Showdown Speed Map
Several first starters here so hard to get a real guide on the early speed. I do suspect though that Lagunanini is the likely leader. Miss Chanel and Knurl should come across from out wide while drawn inside, The Troubleshooter should hold a forward spot.
