The Melbourne Racing Club is turning up the heat this Saturday as the Autumn Racing Carnival hits full stride with a trio of massive Group 1 races at Caulfield Racecourse.
The Futurity Stakes (Race 7) and Oakleigh Plate (Race 9) will be standout contests on the card, featuring some of the country’s top gallopers.
Superstar Mr Brightside will be looking to bounce back from his narrow C.F. Orr Stakes defeat and defend his Futurity Stakes title, chasing a remarkable ninth Group 1 victory.
Meanwhile, the Oakleigh Plate remains one of the most open sprint races on the calendar with history suggesting a rough result, as only three favourites have won since 2008.
Let’s dive into the feature races and uncover my best bets of the day.
You can get my full set of tips for racing this Saturday via the link below.
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The track is currently rated a Good 4 and with warm weather forecasted, expect a firm Good 3 come race day.
With the rail out 4m the inside lanes should play well early, but with the drying track the pattern may shift throughout the day.
Who do the All-In boys like in the Caulfield Features?
There is no obvious leader in this race, but with 6YO mare Place Du Carrousel (9) showing early speed in both her jump-out and trial, expect her to take up the running.
Mr Brightside (11) should push forward and park outside the leader, while Pericles (1) will utilize his inside barrier to sit just behind the pace.
Private Life (10) is another who should settle in the first few pairs, while I Wish I Win (3) will drop back to the rear and look to charge home late.
With a moderate-to-slow pace expected, positioning will be crucial.
If there are no surprise performances, expect Mr Brightside to go back-to-back in this race and claim his ninth Group 1 victory.
He was beaten only narrowly by a rising star in Another Wil in the C.F. Orr Stakes, and with the run under his belt, he should be even harder to beat second-up (5 wins from 7 starts second-up).
At $2.00, he’s not a betting proposition, but he looks the clear winner.
Despite facing a slow tempo, the Moody & Coleman star has a big chance first-up over 1400m.
If Mr Brightside doesn’t produce his best, expect I Wish I Win to storm home late and make it a thrilling finish.
This 6YO gelding is at an outrageous price considering his ability.
His first-up run in the C.F. Orr wasn’t as bad as it looked on paper—it was hard to make ground from the rear that day.
He knocked off Mr Brightside second-up in the Memsie Stakes at this track and distance in the Spring on a Good 3 surface.
With identical conditions this time, he’s capable of causing an upset and is worth a bet at the big odds.
Expect a hot tempo with Queenslander Golden Boom (13), I Am Me (2), Insurrection (12), and Estriella (4) all pushing forward early.
Once they settle, expect I Am Me (2) and Estriella (4) to tuck in behind the leaders.
Fast-finishing types like She’s Bulletproof (8), Rey Magnerio (5), Jimmysstar (14), and Arabian Summer (15) will be charging home late.
With plenty of speed in the race, expect a genuine pace, giving backmarkers their chance to feature.
Backed him first-up at Caulfield over 1100m in the Spring, and buttering up again here.
His stablemate Another Wil has elevated to a new level this prep, and Jimmysstar is primed to do the same.
His latest jump-out at Cranbourne was superb, and he ticks all the key boxes:
Expecting a career-best performance and a big collect at juicy odds.
Was tough first-up, winning at this track over 1100m, and should be even better second-up (1 win, 1 placing from 2 second-up starts).
Jye McNeil has an outstanding record on this horse (6 wins, 5 placings from 12 rides), and he maps for the perfect run just behind the pace.
Expecting a big run, and he could be looming alongside Jimmysstar late.
Was set to race in the Lightning last week but was scratched due to track conditions.
She faces a tough task carrying 57kg and resuming at 1100m, but barrier 2 ensures a perfect run in behind the speed.
She’s a superior fresh performer (5 wins from 7 first-up starts) and will be thereabouts at the finish.
At double figures, she’s worth an each-way play.
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