BLUE SAPPHIRE STAKES DAY
Race 1 Ladbrokes Handicap
In what is an extremely shallow race to start proceedings, The forever unlucky Data Point looks to have finally found a suitable race, He was a good thing beaten last start at sale with 61.5kg finding trouble and being held up between the 500m and the 300m only to get out and miss by a long neck, The rise in distance shouldn’t be a worry and with even luck should be getting back into the winners stall. Top weight Grand Dreamer loomed to win last time out and the Valley and just found one too strong in the closing stages. These two look to be the clear quinella, next best are So Wille and Porton Control both coming out of the Inglis cup run here at caulfield two weeks ago.
Data Point to win, Quinella 1&11
Race 2 thebigscreencompany.com Handicap
This looks like an easy kill for Cellarman, Ran a competitive 4th last start behind Caulfield Guineas winner Divine Prophet and also the winner of the Stan Fox stakes and Guineas favourtie Impending. 60kg and first time Melbourne way of going are negatives but should sit close to the lead and be too classy for these. Theanswermyfriend and Smart As You Think are both handy types and be looking for them to be winning races in the near future, but im trusting the Sydney formline here.
Cellarman to win
Race 3 Ladbrokes Up For The Challenge Handicap
Our Century’s first run in Australia was huge, coming from last was pushed 6 wide on the bend and was entitled to drop out in the straight, he made up several lengths in the closing furlong to finish 5th, step up in distance is a plus and will strip fitter second up. Firenze made light work of a moderate field at the Valley, drawn to get a great run and will be right in the finish. Pinstripe Lane and The Bandit are next best.
Our Century E/W Quinella&Duet 2-5
Race 4 Alannah Hill Plate
Pilote D’essai Is my best of the day, He has strong form around Royal Rapture, Tally and Ulmann, He was three-wide the trip and overraced last start as favourite and this is a considerably weaker field, Stable and Jockey are flying and is drawn to win, 3-1 is overs. I really like the way Radical hit the line last start behind Mr Individual, He can be a big improver here at longer odds. Plot the Course was very sound and should run in the top three.
Pilote D’essai* To win
Race 5 Mvenpick Ice Cream Handicap Not a race im entirely keen to bet on. Battlecamp finally gets a run on top of the track, didn't look entirely suited last start in the wet, should gain significant improvement on that run and stable has a big opinion. Look for Charleviox to be flashing late at odds.
Battlecamp E/W
Race 6 Blue Sapphire Stakes
The form around Flying Artie says that it justs wins here. Beat Star Turn who looks to be a very serious horse, second to Extreme Choice who beat the Worlds best sprinter Chautauqua, and last start than third in the slipper behind Yankee Rose who became the first Mare to win the Spring Champion Stakes and Capitalist. Is a class above these and 2.30 is value for mine. Ken’s Dream should be unbeaten, sat three wide last start at the valley and just missed in a bob of the heads. Derryn and Barthelona both look to have bright futures but this looks a tall order.
Flying Artie to win (at anything more than even money)
Race 7 Italktravel Stakes
The Sydney visitor Clearly Innocent is the x factor here, Looked to handle Caulfield well enough in a track gallop on Tuesday and is set for a better race than this on Oaks day, I'm happy to go with him here ahead of Sebring Sun who meets Keen Array 5kg better in the weights from their last outing and has drawn the perfect gate. Promising signs last start that he is building to a win and must be respected, Keen Array who with 59.5kg will have to do a mighty job to win but is the class in the race. Taddei Tondo ran a slashing second last start at the Valley ahead of Sebring Sun and for that reason must be respected.
Clearly Innocent to Win
Race 8 Nick Johnstone Real Estate Ladies’ Day Vase
Love how this race maps for Egypt, should be sitting midfield one off the fence and be able to unwind with a withering burst of speed, never got a crack at them last start at the Valley, was bumped off her feet around the bend and no sooner had she recovered she then had to check off heals, watch for a big run. I’m willing to risk both Euro Angel and Shillelagh, Kaniana only has to produce her close up second to Don’t Doubt Mamma last start to be right in the finish and the next best is Alaskan Rose.
Egypt E/W
