It’s regarded as one of the premier stallion making races and that looks like it could well be on the agenda again for 2021, with a couple of top class colts lining up in the Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2021 Caulfield Guineas.
2021 Caulfield Guineas Speed Map
Tipping a genuine tempo here. Tiger Of Malay will hold a forward spot from the pole. Mr Mozart pressed on in the Stutt so he’ll be positive, likewise Lightsaber. The two big guns have decisions to make. Anamoe from 15…do they roll the dice and go forward? Or do they drag back, get three/four wide cover and launch late? And Artorius from gate two, will that be used to advantage?
2021 Caulfield Guineas Runner Preview
1. Anamoe: Anamoe could easily blow this field away and stamp himself a Cox Plate contender. I just feel he is on the short side of betting. IMO, he was given every possible in the Golden Rose and really, another stride and he wins, so it wasn’t a poor run, unless of course you took the shorts. He’s been set for this race and will look the winner at some stage.
2. Artorius: The Golden Rose looks the A1 form reference. To my eye, the run that screamed out Caulfield Guineas was Artorius. Like he did in the Golden Slipper, he had no idea how to get around Rosehill but once he balanced up, he savaged the line and was outstanding. If he can use the gate to advantage, then clear air, gee he’ll be hard to hold out.
3. Tiger Of Malay: Tiger Of Malay is an honest customer for Team Freedman that won’t be far away. He was kept pretty safe in betting when racing in the Golden Rose and he didn’t disgrace himself at all in defeat behind impressive winner In The Congo. I doubt he wins, but a definite first four threat.
4. Alpine Edge: Another that comes through the Prelude won by Lightsaber. He was held up and should have finished closer, but doubt he wins. I’m potting that as a form race for this, so I think I’ll let him go through to the keeper.
5. Captivant: Been set for this race since the Autumn. Ticking along beautifully I thought until the Golden Rose where the race was set up for him but he found little. In the right camp for a GF though so not totally penning him due to that fact, and he has the right form.
6. Lightsaber: Toughed it out strongly to win the Prelude in what I thought was an average edition of this race. He’s a good horse, a solid horse, but he showed in the Autumn, he’s not up to the top tier of Anamoe and co. Happy to risk.
7. Giannis: Third up, hard fit now, he gets some level of respect. He resumed with a strong win at Kembla in the Dulcify. Then went to the Golden Rose in a fast run 1400m and was found out late behind In The Congo. Like him back up in trip and is one for exotics. Just lacks the class to win.
8. Forgot You: He will have no issue running out a strong mile. He hits a flat spot in his races but when he switches on, he really finishes off and is a line chaser. That’s the tick. The negative is that he comes through plain races IMO compared to others engaged. In saying that, stable is flying.
9: Coastwatch: Coastwatch is a beauty for Chris Waller. Doesn’t have a turn of foot but is talented, toughs it out and is rarely far away. Impressive winner two back in the Ming Dynasty before going to the Golden Rose where he ran out of his skin when third to In The Congo. Off that, he’ll eat up 1600m, in the right camp and has the A1 form.Just needs luck from the gate but he’s the best outside the big two.
10: Mr Mozart: Got the win over Artorius at Flemington, then was nutted late in the Stutt by Forgot You where they walked home relative to the meeting, which concerns me heading into this. I think he’ll struggle.
11. Daily Bugle: He’s more of a 2000m+ horse to my eye. Okay late in the Stutt but just lacked any real turn of foot and that will play against him here against some classy types. Looking elsewhere.
12. Knightstown: He’s more of a 2000m+ horse to my eye. Okay late in the Stutt but just lacked any real turn of foot and that will play against him here against some classy types. Looking elsewhere.
13: Dark Rebel: He was working up to something positive I thought but the Gloaming run was just terrible, finishing last. Had he produced a solid effort in the Gloaming, I’d give him a shout here. But I can’t.
14. Zerelle: Thought he toughed it out strongly on speed at the midweeks at Flemington when a very narrow fourth. Midweek form doesn’t win Group l races of this quality though and he has a mighty task to match with Anamoe, Artorius and co.
15. Riverplate: Nice horse, but still a maiden. Unlucky in the Stutt Stakes and drawn out this time, he should get clear air from the outset. Top ten chance at best I’d say but he’s a horse heading in the right direction.
16. Prix De Turn: Potentially on a Derby path. Excellent debut at Sandown when a closing second. Living, breathing in a maiden. But given there is a long tail to this race, I can understand why they are running here. I very much doubt he wins, but if you want a wide first four horse to chuck in, he’s the one.
17 (First Emergency) Hitotsu: Hitotsu should appreciate the rise in trip for the Maher/Eustace camp. This three year old resumed over 1350m at Donald in a maiden where he was tucked in behind the speed and was in a bit of trouble getting clear but once he did, away he went and he was much too good. Better over further I suspect and this is a bit rich.
2021 Caulfield Guineas $100 Betting Strategy:
Keeping it simple here. There is a long tail to this race IMO, so back the two best horses, Anamoe and Artorius. $50 on each to win. I’ll be very surprised if the winner comes outside that duo.
Group l Strategy Outlay: $1180
Group l Strategy Return: $820
