Welcome to our preview and horse racing betting tips for racing at Caulfield on Saturday, April 21st.
We have a nine-race card featuring the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes. The track is a Good 3 with the rail True, so I think on-pacers will be hard to run down given it’s so firm.
We have betting tips and comments for every race below!
CAULFIELD RACING TIPS
Best Bet: Race 7 #11 Sprightly Lass
Next Best Bet: Race 2 #3 Widgee Turf / #6 Waging War
Best Value: Race 6 #6 Street Sheikh EW
RACE 1
Looks somewhat of a two-horse race. (1) French Emotion is the class horse in the field and really should take care of these, despite her racing pattern which will see her settle back in the field. She was unlucky to finish 4th last start and third up today, staying at 1400m with a good draw, should see her hard to beat. (3) My True Love is first up here, and although the trials have been ordinary, she will likely lead this field and that gives her a strong chance. (11) Honey Esprit was dominant in breaking her maiden last start and could be one to throw in at $18.
TIP: (1) French Emotion
RACE 2
Nice race. Keen on a couple here. (3) Widgee Turf is probably the best horse in this field and if you take out his failure at Wangaratta two starts ago, he’s won every start this prep, including a phenomenal win when coming from last on the turn last start. Has won his only start at this track and distance and looks a very reasonable price at $3 to me. (6) Waging War comes across from Adelaide having returned from a long spell in terrific fashion. He won first up and was beaten a nose last start. 1200m up to 1600m is some concern but he’s won over much further than this so the distance should be no problem. At $9 I’ll be having something on. (4) Ken’s Dream is a very good horse and wasn’t far off Widgee Turf last start. First go at 1600m today.
TIP: (3) Widgee Turf / (6) Waging War EW
RACE 3
Wide-open two-year-old race here with a number of horses on debut. I’ll be having something on the Weir runner (10) Golden Script who was good on debut before justifying her short price last start when leading all the way at Sandown. I doubt she’ll lead here but she should be up on pace with a good run from barrier 4. She’s got a midweek city win under the belt which should hold her in good stead here at $4.80. (16) Tycoon Tily is from a strong stable that always produces juvenile winners and her trial was fair. (9) Thrillster has been very good in his two starts to date and should give a strong showing once more, while there’s been a long-price move for (13) Miss Hellbender. Not entirely interested apart from the Weir runner.
TIP: (10) Golden Script
RACE 4
Another one that looks to be a two-horse race. Surely if (3) Kiwia is at his best he’ll be winning this. He should be nearing his peak third up from a spell and up to 2000m now, so with barrier 1 he’ll sit close and if he’s anywhere near peaking he’ll be hard to hold out. (9) Royal Order will be a long way back in the run, which might pose some problems given the track will be so firm, but he’s third up too and should be hitting his straps after two runs at 1800m to open his campaign. (2) Dodging Bullets was a surprise winner last start and will once again be right on the pace. (12) Montoya’s Secret looks awfully short in the market!
TIP: (3) Kiwia
RACE 5
We see the return of (1) Nature Strip here and he’ll be awfully hard to beat. He looks one of the best bets of the day and if he leads, they’ll have a tough time catching him. He’s on his way to Group 1 races in Adelaide so I’m locking in $1.90. The logical danger looks the Godolphin runner (6) Deprive, who backed up some strong Sydney form with a big run at Moonee Valley last start when simply not suited. If you don’t want to take the $1.90 for Nature Strip then an each way bet on Deprive at $5.50/$1.91 looks a safe option. (12) Metson bolted in on debut last preparation and if he has improved during his spell he could run a cheeky race at big odds, while (13) Miss Vixen is a place chance.
TIP: (1) Nature Strip
RACE 6
(1) Cliff’s Edge will win this, dropping back from Group 1 company in Sydney where he was beaten less than 3L by D’Argento over 2000m. If you’re not keen to take $1.50, there are some others that could run a good race at each way odds. I’ve got a very good opinion of (6) Street Sheikh who has run 2nd in his past two starts, both in midweek city company. He was 1300m up to 1600m last start and now stays at the mile, so he should be better off for that last run and with the good draw can run very well here. We’re getting $9.50/$2.25 which looks a good bet. I’ve also got a great opinion of (11) Temple Of Bel, who looked hugely promising last campaign before suffering a setback and subsequently going for a decent spell. Her resumption was fair, she’s since had a change of trainer and is now in the hands of Tony McEvoy. $12 for her. Cliff’s Edge will probably win but instead of tipping him I’ll tip Street Sheikh for the value play. 1x3 bet each way.
TIP: (6) Street Sheikh EW
RACE 7
Very keen to back (11) Sprightly Lass here, who should find the front and be very hard to run down. She was impressive when winning first up at the Valley, and then went to Sydney where she was absolutely truckloaded in betting. She fired up in front, ran crazy fast and lost the race on protest after coming out under pressure. Keen to take on (12) Property first up from a spell here. He didn’t come up last prep and his trials haven’t exactly been fantastic. He’s also changed stables and how do we know if he was treated on race day by Smerdon or not? (13) Secret Trail could be the value at $16. Was beaten less than a length first up in Sydney and his second up record is much better. He’s likely to get back from barrier 9 but if they run along he could be flashing home.
TIP: (11) Sprightly Lass / (13) Secret Trail EW
RACE 8
Another one here where if he’s at his best, (2) Rich Charm just wins this. He failed last start in the G1 Newmarket Handicap but has since been back to the trials and he drops heavily in grade here. He’s undefeated at this track and distance, and while he’ll get a long way back, there looks to be a good tempo set up in front of him. (1) Keen Array also has a good record at this track and comes here first up. If he were to reproduce his best he’d certainly give this a shake. (3) Demonstrate is arguably in career-best form and will run well again. (6) Suspense has been sent down from Sydney and will go forward first up from a spell, (10) Ashlor was dominant last start but draws tricky here, while (12) Lyuba was a big drifter in betting first up and ran accordingly – watch the market, if she’s steady or backed then it suggests she’s blown out the cobwebs and can run a race here.
TIP: (2) Rich Charm
RACE 9
Very keen on (13) Land Of Plenty here. He broke through at his second start for the new stable and was absolutely dominant in doing so. He’ll get well-back again from barrier 11 but should be looking for a similar run to the one he had last start. Expecting there to be good tempo on with (7) TheAnswerMyFriend up front, and that should allow this horse to run on. Slight query with his poor third up record but hoping the new stable has him sorted out. (3) Amovatio looks the value. He was sound first up and never got a crack at them last start. Hoping from barrier 4 he can sit slightly closer in the run, and third up he can run a good race at $12.
TIP: (13) Land Of Plenty / (3) Amovatio EW
