Racing Preview: Saturday 24/9/16

Sep 23, 2016
6 min read

Bon Aurum looks a great each way chance in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.

Picture: Brett Holburt, Getty Images

There are two Group 1 races from Caulfield this weekend, with the running of the $500k Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and the $500k Underwood Stakes at Weight For Age. The preludes for the Caulfield and Thousand Guineas will also be run and can change our view on those two races. From Rosehill, the Stan Fox Stakes for the three year olds will also shape the Caulfield Guineas market with some key runners for that race engaged. The $400k Golden Pendant for the fillies and mares has attracted a high quality field and is sure to be a great race.

Caulfield

The track was rated a Good (3) at the time of writing and will stay that way with fine weather forecast up until race day. The rail is back in the true position after being out 9m last week. The inside was off that day but the track should play okay with the inside 9m fresh for this meeting.

Race 1 1100m The Alfred Hospital Plate

Handicap. Four-Years-Old and Upwards, Mares. Benchmark 90. Apprentices can claim.

I'm hoping the Andrew Noblet trained Super Cash can get us off to a good start here. She's 1st up here but usually races well fresh. Her last 1st up effort was a good 3rd at Moonee Valley behind Almighty Girl and Secret Agenda over 1200m in Stakes company. Her record at 1100m is good also. She is 3:1-1-1 overall, and her two misses were a slashing 2nd to Petits Filous and an unlucky 3rd to Don't Doubt Mumma in the Autumn. She's drawn well in 5 and Craig Williams should be able to give her every chance to win this race.

Take Pride is a good horse and is very speedy. She should lead them here and if the track is playing towards those on speed she is a good chance. Jalan Jalan was 2nd to Miss Promiscuity over this track and trip in the Winter with The Quarterback in 3rd. That form reads well for this. Magic Alibi was good in a very good race 1st up in Sydney and can improve again 2nd up. Mossin' Around is down in grade and may improve here.

Race 6 1400m Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas Prelude

Set Weights plus Penalties. Group 3. Three-Years-Old, Colts and Geldings. No class restriction.

I thought the win of Saracino down the straight in the Danehill was very good. It was his first run in Australia and his first time down the straight, and he was in the worst part of the track. He's only been to the 1400m once and ran a 0.8L 3rd in the NZ Sires' Produce Stakes behind La Luna Rossa who runs in race 5 here, so we may get more of a guide on that form then. He looked to have a bit up his sleeve in winning last time and from barrier 3 Oliver should give him every chance.

Sacred Elixir was an emphatic winner of the Group 1 J.J Atkins in June and resumes here. He possesses an impressive sprint and could easily win this 1st up. Seaburge was good 1st up over 1200m in the McNeil before having no luck when a 1.6L 5th in the Exford Plate over 1400m. He's right in this. Archives was good behind Saracino down the straight 1st up and shapes as though getting out to 1400m for the first time will suit. The other one with a chance is Revolving Door. His last run was better than it looked on paper. He had to chase from a long way out and got tired over the last 200m but was entitled to.

Race 7 1400m Yulong Park Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes - Group 1 $500k

Handicap. Group 1. No age restriction, No sex restriction. No class restriction.

Not sure whether Under The Louvre will be a runner here or not with Robert Smerdon suggesting he will scratch. I think Bon Aurum has returned this preparation a very good horse. His 1st up effort with 60kg was massive and followed that up with a stunning win over 1400m in the Tontonan. His sectionals in that race were phenomenal and Craig Williams was very soft on him late. He goes well at Caulfield and his record at 1400m is first class (5:3-0-1). He gets in with only 52kg here and gets a soft draw in barrier 5. He's certainly good enough to be winning this.

Tivaci was very good 1st up in the Bobbie Lewis over 1200m down the Flemington straight. He 'won' the C.S Hayes over this trip in the Autumn defeating Palentino which looks good now. He is versatile and can settled on speed or back from barrier 3. Voodoo Lad's win last start in the Chandler McLeod was stunning. He missed the start and had to get back to last but rounded the field up in scintillating fashion to win easily. Keen Array has come out of that race and won since so the form is good. Counterattack should have won 1st up but was held up at a vital stage in the straight. He's usually at his best fresh and I have some recommendations about him 2nd up. He has the class to win this however. Telopea is massive overs here. Her late sectionals last start were outstanding.

Rosehill

The track is rated a Good (4) and will stay that way with good weather forecast until race day. The rail is out 5m the entire circuit.

Race 4 1400m Tab Reginald Allen Quality - Listed $100k

Quality. Minimum Weight 54kg. Three-Years-Old, Fillies.

Smart Amelia brings the strongest form line in to this race. She was 1st up over 1200m on a Heavy (8) in the Furious Stakes at Group 2 level and made good ground from back in the field to finish 4th. She raced as though she would appreciate the step up to 1400m here and draws softly in barrier 2. I'm more than happy to be on her here especially at the $4.20 they are offering.

Invincibella has form behind some good horses and won well 1st up over 1200m at Canterbury. She was only 0.5L off My Country in Stakes company last prep. Purrari beat Rosa Carolina by 0.1L 1st up and they can both run well again.

Race 7 1400m Ronald McDonald House Golden Pendant - Group 2 - $400k

Set Weights Plus Penalties. Three-Years-Old and Upwards. Fillies and Mares.

First Seal is clearly the best performed horse in this race and should prove very hard to beat. She is 1st up here and although it may appear a query resuming at 1400m she has had two trials. Her 2nd trial was over 1200m on a Heavy track and she was given a good hitout in preparation for this. She is a good 1st up mare (4:2-1-0) and is 3:2-1-0 at 1400m. Her only time missing the placings at this track was a 4th in the George Ryder to Winx. She is the class here and resuming on top of the ground is definitely to her liking.

The Snowden team have Tycoon Tara racing well and she will be on speed and hard to run past. Heavens Above won the Sheraco last time over 1200m and was impressive in doing so. Out to 1400m is a positive for her. She beat Denmagic, Sold For Song and Dixie Blossoms in that race. Denmagic was 1st up there, drew wide and went back to last. She was the widest runner on the turn and made up a stack of ground. Sold For Song was left flat footed as they sprinted but picked up over the last 150m the hit the line very well. The extra 200m suits her. Dixie Blossoms was a genuine horror watch for those who backed her. She was full of running and never got a crack at them. She is a big watch here.