Caulfield hosts a fantastic day of racing on what is a big weekend of sport in Melbourne with the AFL preliminary finals and Group 1 Action, The SIr Rupert Clarke Stakes is a highlight as is the Underwood Stakes with both races coming up in the Quaddie legs. Melbourne Cup equal favourite Sir Delius is the favourite in the Underwood with Buckeroo the second fav. Runners will likely run on a Soft 5 surface with the first of 9 starting at 12:10pm. (AEST).
Brendan Bunworth brings you his best bets and Quaddie selections below, with odds thanks to Dabble!
Caulfield Racing Tips: Saturday, September 20th 2025
Race 1: Sportsbet Fixed Odds Exotics Handicap 1600m - 12:10pm (AEST)
(4) Al Duca returns after leading and winning by a nose at Hillside last start. He got slow sectionals there but his record over the mile is quite good and the surface looks the goods. Mark Zahra stays on and he has a good winning strike rate on top.
(7) Nation’s Call loves Good tracks and the Robbie Griffiths trained Gelding has a good first up record. He ran well (3rd) in a quality barrier trial last week and it looks like he will pinch a race over the Spring.
(1) The Creator has won 4 from 6 on the Soft and he also goes forward in the run. There might be a bit of speed in this one which could be a worry.
(4) Al Duca WIN
$3.60 (1 Unit)
Race 2: MRC Member Spring Rewards Handicap 1400m - 12:40pm (AEST)
(9) Shadhavar has Willow on and she is ready to strike here for Dabernig. Barrier 3 looks good and that should ensure she settles in around 3rd in the run which she likes to do. Barrier 11 was tough for her last start but he still finished 2nd. She stays at the 1400m and she will be 100 percent fit now after 4 runs in from a spell.
(6) Deep Pleasure is a leader who has leading trainer Damien Lane on top. She won for Lane 2 starts back at Geelong and he has hopped back on here.
(7) Eagle Express is consistent and will be one of the best late. If the pace is on he is a genuine winning hope. Ben Melham is on for the first time and barrier 2 looks a good get.
(9) Shadhavar WIN
$3.60 (1 Unit)
Race 3: The Taggart 1200m - 1:15pm (AEST)
(7) Stretan Angel has drawn wide in 10 but is a good chance here on the back of her Autumn efforts. She was 11th but only beaten 3L in the Group 1 Goodwood and first up at Caulfield on August 30 she didn't look like she was ready. I reckon the Stokes Stable was using that as a trial for this race. Has won all of her races on the Soft.
(8) Roll On High is first up but has proven that she does handle this track with two previous placings here. He was 6th in the Group 1 Sangster during Autumn and he was only beaten 2L.
(1) See You In Heaven has drawn wide but has excellent form on the Soft and good second up form. Hasn’t won in over a year though.
(7) Stretan Angel WIN
$5.00 (1 unit)
Race 4: Barastoc Handicap 1100m - 1:50pm (AEST)
(8) Klabel is resuming and and has drawn well in barrier 4. Has Willow on and I can see him positioning the gelding in about 4th position during the run. Has won 5 from 10 on the Soft and he has a good first up record. Did win a Strathalbyn trial at his latest hitout.
(5) Oak Hill has been up for a while but is still running well for Team Hayes. He will get back in the run but there looks to be a lot of pace in this and he should be showing his powerful finish.
(1) Nadal is resuming off a 9 months spell and has to carry 58 kg after a 3kg claim for Cartwright. Likes the distance but I think there is a couple of races for this one in a few weeks when he has more fitness.
(8) Klabel WIN
$5.50 (1 unit)
Race 5: Sportsbet Culfield Guineas Prelude 1400m - 2:30pm (AEST)
(2) Bacash led and just got tired over the last 100m at The Valley last time when 3rd but they went pretty quick in that race so he held on well really. First time at the 1400m which is a query but he should improve seeing Caulfield for the first time.
(5) Stay Cosmic ran on well in the same race as Bacash last start for 2nd and the duo have a rematch here. Has placed over the 1400m before which might give punters confidence.
(6) Planet Red was unlucky in the same race last time (4th) and he may get back in the run in this race. If they go too hard early he might run over the top of them.
(2) Bacash WIN
$4.20 (1 unit)
Race 6: Jim Moloney Stakes 1400m - 3:05pm (AEST)
(6) Vivid Sun won a strong race at Hillside last start and from barrier 8 I can see Shinn positioning him midfield on the outside so he can sustain his strong run down the straight over the final 200m. Goes to 1400m for the first time which looks the go and Shinn is going for his third win in a row on top.
(1) The Playwright is fitter now and should settle handy in the run. He was unlucky at The Valley last start (10th).
(3) Zany Girl has won 3 from 4 races on the Soft and he will want the track to stay that way. The Tasmanian will get back but will be running on.
(6) Vivid Sun WIN
$3.20 (2 units)
Race 7: SEN Underwood Stakes GROUP 1 1800m - 3:40pm (AEST)
(9) Sir Delius (Melbourne Cup Favourite) has been backed from $2.70 to $2.00 during the week so the market loves her. If the track stays Soft he should be winning and on his way to the 2 major Cups and the Cox Plate in 5 to 6 weeks time. He was 2nd in the Group 2 Chelmsford at Randwick two weeks ago and he was only beaten a neck in a race where he was only about 80 percent fit.
(7) Middle Earth will be back in the run but I think he will run on well. He stays at Caulfield and all eyes are on the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cups.
(10) Moira was beaten a head at The Valley last start and she will need the track to dry out to a Good surface. All eyes are on the Caulfield Cup with her too.
(6) Land Legend can overrace in his races. I can’t see him winning but think he will pick up a few lengths late on his way to the first Tuesday in November.
(9) Sir Delius WIN
$2.00 (3 units)
Race 8: Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes GROUP 1 1400m - 4:20pm (AEST)
(4) Airman at big odds is worth a throw at the stumps in this I reckon. He has drawn a little wide (12) but that shouldn’t matter as he will get back anyway. I reckon he ran quite well first up last week at Flemington (5th) and I can see him in the 3 wide line coming around the home bend so with cover he can run on over the concluding stages. I tipped him last week and have to back up.
(16) Sepals has the lightweight (52kg) and was excellent winning at this track last start. He has never lost over this distance and he is 1 from 1 when second up.
(15) Miss Roumbini was unlucky at this track last start but still ran 2nd. Is 3 from 3 when second up and she is over the odds.
(9) Angel Capital is a big chance as favourite but will need luck from barrier 14. A track upgrade to Good would be nice.
(4) Airman Each-Way
$27/$5.50 (0.5 units)
Race 9: Tobin Brothers Naturalism Stakes 2000m - 4:55pm (AEST)
(17) Half Yours is first emergency but should get a run. He has won 3 from 5 starts on the Soft and will want conditions to stay that way. He has drawn very well in barrier 2 and having his second chance over the distance, he should be stronger to the line. Jamie Melham goes on for the first time.
(10) Berkshire Breeze has drawn inside and the 2000m is one of his favourite distances. Was just plain when 6th in the Heatherlie last start but was winning jumpouts before that.
(16) Statuario has drawn very wide in 19 and a win will be hard but raced very well when 2nd in the Heatherlie and deserves a mention. A track upgrade would help.
(17) Half Yours WIN
$2.25 (3 units)
Race 10: ive Handicap 2000m - 5:25pm (AEST)
(8) Gilded Water was unlucky last start but still ran 3rd at this track over 1800m. The extra 200m suits and having his second look at Caulfield will help. Mark Zahra stays on and we are hoping the 3-1 favourite closes out the program with a W.
(3) Whisky On The Hill was a bit wide in the Haatherlie when 5th and is over the odds in this. Is consistent and has won over the 2000m before.
(6) Unlimited is a last start Caulfield winner who rises in grade. Has won 2 races over the 2000m though.
(8) Gilded Water WIN
$2.80 (3 units)
Quaddie Tips
Leg one: 9
Leg two: 1, 4, 9, 14, 15, 16
Leg three: 10, 16, 17
Leg four: 3, 8
