Cameron Happ analyses the Caulfield Guineas meeting

Cameron Happ takes an in-depth look at all the action from a spectacular days racing at Caulfield on Guineas day.

Race 1 - Inglis Debutant Stakes (1000m) - LR

1st - Qafila ($5 fav)
2nd - Sacred Sword ($6.5) - 0.3 lens
3rd - Encryption ($8) - 1.1 lens
Then Followed: Messerschmitt ($21), Cavalini ($31), Speedy Kitty ($21), Grand Challenge ($9), Diver ($31), Binding Force ($5 fav), Coronel ($5 fav), Guiding Light ($101)

Analysis: The Hayes-Dabernig stable kept up their amazing record in Victorian two-year-old races with Qafila . It was a big win as she was slow away to be back second last before an outstanding Damian Oliver ride saved ground to only be three lengths off the pace on the turn. She charged through the line and can go on with it. The beautifully bred Encryption didn't have a lot of luck early in the straight, he also steamed through the line. Sacred Sword was taken on in front mid race, to only go down on the line suggests a bright future. Can forgive Coronel trapped off the track. The form should hold up out of a good race.
Money Trail: Qafila was solid $4.80 to $5.00. Binding Force was best backed $6.50 into $5.00. Coronel and Sacred Sword were slightly easy but not a big betting race with so many unknowns.
Blackbooker: Sacred Sword can definitely pick up one of the early two-year -old races. With the speed to put himself right on the pace he'll take some catching with race experience.

 

Race 2 - Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) - G3

1st - Invincible Star ($6.5)
2nd - Counterplay ($15) - 4.0 lens
3rd - Jorda ($5 fav) - 4.2 lens
Then Followed: Split Lip ($10), True Excelsior ($9), Luqyaa ($17), Josephine Sea ($11), Wanted Diva ($31), From The Clouds ($51), Je Suis Tycoon ($21), Beerzatbernz ($41), The Queen's Reward ($17), Rewarding Laughter ($81), Undoubtable Miss ($31), Divine Messenger ($6.5), Extreme Bliss ($41)

Analysis: Superior speed quickly overcame the bad gate for Invincible Star and she ran right up to her very best, powering along in front. The kick she gave at the 300m mark gave them no chance of running her down. The combination of Baster and the Waterhouse-Bott stable is becoming deadly in Victoria. Counterplay covered ground and kept finding the line but around just one turn it's not a huge disadvantage. Luqyaa ran solid sections after going well back from the wide gate. The rest held their spots. Divine Messenger is a forgive run after almost falling at the start and Beerzatbernz was another with a few excuses.
Money Trail: Invincible Star was easy to $7.50 before firming back to the opening quote of $6.50. Jorda didn't move from $5.00. Josephine Sea had specking $16.00 into $11.00 and Divine Messenger was solid at around the SP of $6.50.
Blackbooker: Luqyaa is ready to win a race. She's drawn out at both runs this preparation and she's hit the line hard both times. If she can draw a gate over a touch longer, she's capable of racing much closer.

 

Race 3 - Cape Grim Beef Steaks (1200m) – G3

1st - Cool Passion ($10)
2nd - Pedrena ($6) - 0.3 lens
3rd - Princess Of Queens ($8.5) - 0.4 lens
Then Followed: Miss Gunpowder ($7), Desert Lashes ($6.5), Legless Veuve ($3.25 fav), Chiavari ($41), Overstep ($13), Leotie ($51), Run Gypsy Run ($21)

Analysis: The run of the race was the difference here with Cool Passion getting a gun run and finishing off powerfully off a good even speed. Pedrena was possibly a touch unlucky. She was held up behind them from the 350m just as the sprinted out wide, when she got to the outside at the 100m she charged through the line. Princess Of Queens is right at the peak of her form. She's steamed home with a quieter ride and Miss Gunpowder loomed up to win the race at the 100m when just peaking slightly first-up. Can forgive Legless Veuve , she lost a plate and pulled up lame.
Money Trail: Cool Passion was easy $8.00 out to $10.00. Pedrena had good support $10.00 into $6.00. Desert Lashes $4.80 to $6.50 and Legless Veuve $2.60 to $3.20 were both easy with Princess Of Queens and Miss Gunpowder both solid in the betting.
Blackbooker: Keen to stick with Pedrena . She does always fire fresh but she's also a better horse over slightly longer trips. There's a good race in her over 1400m through the carnival. Miss Gunpowder also a mare worth following.

 

Race 4 - Ladbrokes Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) - G2

1st - Lord Fandango ($12)
2nd - Wall Of Fire ($9) - 1.0 lens
3rd - Gallic Chieftain ($4.5) - 1.4 lens
Then Followed: Boom Time ($8.5), Annus Mirabilis ($51), Fanatic ($31), Harlow Gold ($21), Kidmenever ($7), Aloft ($4.25 fav), Foundry ($7.5)

Analysis: Aloft and Kidmenever rolled along in front making it a good strong staying test. There was no fluke about the winner Lord Fandango , he was the first one to go three deep at the 800m to be right on pace on the turn. He was given ten strikes with the whip pre- the 100m mark but he was still going well on the line. The English invader Wall Of Fire put in a nice Melbourne Cup trial coming from last, circling the field on the turn and he was charging through the line. Gallic Chieftain was also strong from the back running good late sections and Boom Time was the only survivor of those on pace but he did get a nice run.
Money Trail: Lord Fandango had some support $13.00 into $12.00 as did Wall Of Fire $9.50 into $9.00. Gallic Chieftain was best backed $5.00 into $4.60. Aloft was easy $3.70 to $4.20 while Kidmenever was easy early before firming $8.50 into $7.00 at the jump.
Blackbooker: Wall Of Fire goes into the black book as he's a must for any Melbourne Cup exotics. A winner out to 2920m in England, he looks to have landed in good condition and the trip will pose no problem.

 

Race 5 - Keno Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m) - LR

1st - Fast 'n' Rocking ($10)
2nd - Religify ($5) - 0.1 lens
3rd - Dibayani ($21) - 1.4 lens
Then Followed: Coldstone ($31), Oregon's Day ($6), Mubakkir ($41), Orient Line ($41), Fastnet Tempest ($10), Attention ($4.75 fav), Mighty Like ($26), Lucky Hussler ($17), Duke Of Brunswick ($8), Mongolian Wolf ($21)

Analysis: Religify did a bit of work early to cross but he was able to back it off a touch mid race. He gave a strong kick but was unable to hold out Fast 'n' Rocking in the last few strides. He hadn't won for a long time but a perfect ride from an in-form Luke Nolan was able to con him into sticking his neck out first. Another non-winner in Dibayani was a strong closer along the inside and Oregon's Day was a massive run. From the bad gate she got trapped out four deep the entire trip and was still finding the line as good as anything. It was a bunched finish behind the front two.
Money Trail: Fast 'n' Rocking eased $9.50 to $11.00 before firming to start $10.00. Religify was easy $4.40 out to $5.00. Oregon's Day had some support $7.00 into $6.00. The favourite Attention was backed early $4.40 into $4.00 before easing to jump $4.80.
Blackbooker: Lucky Hussler is going much better than his form suggests. He never saw daylight in the straight under the big weight. He'll go around over the odds next start but can be charging home in the right race.

 

Race 6 - Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) - G1

1st - Aloisia ($13)
2nd - Shoals ($4.5) - 1.3 lens
3rd - Alizee ($2.11 fav) - 2.1 lens
Then Followed: She's So High ($17), Mintha ($31), Booker ($7), Pure Scot ($26), Leather'n'lace ($15)

Analysis: Once they found their positions the leaders were able to back off the speed making it tough on anything beyond midfield. Shoals got the dream split under the leader to take over but Luke Nolan was tracking her everywhere she went on Aloisia . Most were of the opinion Aloisia was going to be better over longer but when she was able to be so close at the 300m the race was all but over. Her last 50m was dominant and a strong sign as she heads to longer races. Shoals ran up to her best, the Myer looks a good race for her and Alizee did all she could steaming home with too much ground to make up on good fillies.
Money Trail: Aloisia was unwanted $9.50 out to $14.00. Shoals had support when she eased to $4.80 back into $4.40. The favourite Alizee was solid enough just $2.05 out to $2.15. Booker was best backed outside the favourite $9.50 to $7.00 and She's So High had some specking at big odds.
Blackbooker: Mintha can win a race if they drop her back a grade but all honours with Aloisia . She's still $4 for the Oaks which might look like theft come the Flemington carnival.

 

Race 7 - Ladbrokes Caulfield Stakes (2000m) - G1

1st - Gailo Chop ($5.5)
2nd - Johannes Vermeer ($31) - 0.2 lens
3rd - Jon Snow ($8.5) - 2.7 lens
Then Followed: Single Gaze ($21), Inference ($21), Bonneval ($3.75 fav), Riven Light ($21), Abbey Marie ($26), Hartnell ($4.25), The Taj Mahal ($10), Calderon ($51)

Analysis: There was a bit of pressure early but once they found their spots Gailo Chop was able to get away with three cheap sections mid race which made him exceptionally hard to run down. He gave a big kick straightening and only Johannes Vermeer got anywhere near him. Johannes Vermeer was a huge run, he was racing tight just as the pressure was applied at the 600m but when he got clear he ran dominant closing sections against the pattern of the race. He'll be competitive if he backs up ok next week. Hartnell was chopped out at the 200m but I'm not convinced he's going well enough. Bonneval pulled up lame. I wouldn't give up on her but she will need some patching up during the week.
Money Trail: Punters nailed this with Gailo Chop best backed $8.50 into $5.50. Jon Snow had support $10.00 into $8.50 and The Taj Mahal was the only other firmer $14.00 into $10.00. Bonneval $3.00 out to $3.70 and Hartnell $3.50 to $4.20 were both easy.
Blackbooker: Inference did just enough to still be a knockout hope next week in the Caulfield Cup. The race wasn't run to suit and he was held up just as he was hitting his top along the rails . If we were to get any rain his chances would only be enhanced.

 

Race 8 - Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas (1600m) - G1

1st - Mighty Boss ($101)
2nd - Kementari ($5.5) - 0.3 lens
3rd - Catchy ($4.5 fav) - 1.3 lens
Then Followed: Royal Symphony ($4.75), Perast ($11), Levendi ($21), Salsamor ($26), Sanctioned ($21), Holy Snow ($61), Sircconi ($67), Showtime ($12), The Mission ($51), Gold Standard ($8), Al Passem ($151), Azazel ($51)

Analysis: This was a different race to the fillies where the pressure was applied for the first half of the race. Nobody saw it coming but Michael Walker gave the 100/1 outside of the field Mighty Boss the best run of the race, never going around a horse and he finished off strong to run down the unlucky Kementari .Three deep midfield and bumped off balance out deepest on the turn, Kementari still let down with a big sprint to hold out all but the winner. Catchy had her chance but not so Royal Symphony . He was held up just as they sprinted and did well to close hard into fourth. Levendi was the other luckless runner in the race. Held up then checked at the 300m, he did well to close hard late.
Money Trail: Mighty Boss was completely unwanted $61 out to $101.00. Kementari was slightly easy $4.80 out to $5.50. Catchy was best backed $4.60 to $4.40 and Royal Symphony was solid just $4.60 to $4.80. There was no real money outside the favoured runners.
Blackbooker: Two horses to follow. Lavendi looks a lock for the Carbine Club on Derby day. Luckless here and only three runs into the prep, he's ready to peak. Salsamor is bred to get over more ground, he's right on track towards the Derby.

 

Race 9 - United Petroleum Toorak Hcp (1600m) - G1

1st - Tosen Stardom ($10)
2nd - Sovereign Nation ($21) - 1.0 lens
3rd - Petrology ($101) - 2.0 lens
Then Followed: Mask Of Time ($101), Seaburge ($81), Tom Melbourne ($8.5), Egg Tart ($5.5 fav), Turnitaround ($51), Jacquinot Bay ($41), Wyndspelle ($26), Omei Sword ($13), Mr Sneaky ($6), He Or She ($101), Snitzson ($31), Comin' Through ($9), Kaspersky ($31), Theanswermyfriend ($7), I Am A Star ($21)

Analysis: The pressure was on right from the start here despite the likely leader Theanswermyfriend blowing the start. All honours with the winner Tosen Stardom . He carried top weight, covered ground from the wide gate before being pushed out the deepest runner on the turn and still let down with a sharp sprint to put the race away at the 100m. It was well deserved and now has him a very valuable stallion prospect. Sovereign Nation is flying but did get a perfect run between runners. Petrology ran out of his skin in this grade and Seaburge showed signs of getting back to his old peak form. Tom Melbourne was another big run, he thrashed the co-leader and did far too much wrong. Wyndspelle stays in our black book, he was luckless at a crucial stage.
Money Trail: Tosen Stardom was solid just $9.50 to start $10.00. Tom Melbourne had early support before easing $6.50 out to $8.00. Egg Tart was easy early $4.80 out to $7.00 before money arrived back into $5.50. Comin' Through was $11.00 into $9.00. Mr Sneaky and Theanswermyfriend were both solid.
Blackbooker: Not giving up on Egg Tart . She's a quality mare that was trying the impossible at this level, 2^nd-up off a five-week break. Back to mares grade for the Myer classic in three weeks, she'll be tough to beat.

 

Race 10 - Keno Kwikpik Schillaci Stakes Age (1100m) - G2

1st - Super Cash ($5)
2nd - Illustrious Lad ($11) - 0.1 lens
3rd - Rock Magic ($5.5) - 0.3 lens
Then Followed: Hellbent ($6.5), Sheidel ($3 fav), Lankan Rupee ($10), First Among Equals ($16), Le Cordon Bleu ($61)

Analysis: Sheidel flew over to lead at a good solid tempo, right in her comfort zone. Katelyn Mallyon gave Super Cash the run of the race one out one back before improving on the turn. She was only asked for her top at the 200m and had just enough to hold out the gallant Illustrious Lad . He's got a big win in him after doing all the chasing and only going down in the last few strides. Hellbent was the sectional star flashing home from last, he and Rock Magic will be competitive in whatever they run in over the next few weeks. Post-race it was announced that the champion sprinter Lankan Rupee had run his last race. Enjoy your retirement and thanks for the stellar career.
Money Trail: Super Cash was easy $4.20 out to $5.50 before late support to start $5.00. Sheidel was clearly best backed. She touched $3.30 before starting $3.00. Rock Magic and Hellbent were both solid starting at their opening quote.
Blackbooker: Stick with both Illustrious Lad and Super Cash . They were both resuming and the pair of them have good form up the Flemington straight, there's races cup week for both.