Talking Turf provides a daily look at Australian Horse Racing, previewing the biggest races and discussing the difficult issues that surround this great industry.
Race Three 13.Tanby - 5.Lucky Eighty Eight - 9.Midnight Martini - 8.Anudjawun
Race Four 6.Black Caviar - 9.Karuta Queen - 7.Kulgrinda - 2.Stirling Grove
Black Caviar is simply Australia's best racehorse and will prove that with an effortless victory today. The battle for second between 'Karuta Queen' and 'Kulgrinda' will be fierce, but with only 51 KGs on her back the former looks hard to go past.
Race Five 5.Alcopop - 6.Sincero - 7.Lion Tamer - 2.Decsarado
Great lead up race to both the Cox Plate and the Caulfield Cup. 'Alcopop' ran a huge race behind 'Rekindled Interest' at the Valley last start and was only beaten by 'So You Think' in this race last year; he certainly looks primed for this. 'Sincero' is coming off a disappointing effort last start but is too classy to leave out. Expect 'Descarado' to show some cheek at odds.
Race Six 2.Toorak Toff - 10.Fast Clip - 3.Wall Street - 6.Kings Rose
The Toorak Handicap has proven to be a rough race in previous years, and expect this to be no different. 'Toorak Toff' is a talented galloper who has returned to his best since a wind operation. Expect him to sit just off a hot pace and give Chris Symons his first Group 1. Fast Clip is unknown in Melbourne but looks on the up, Wall Street is a grand miler who looks to be almost back to his best.
The 2011 edition of the Caulfield Guineas is certainly a small, but star studded affair. 'Helmet' showed last start he has untapped ability and handled the difficult Caulfield track with ease. Expect him to lead or sit second behind 'Manawanui' and if he doesn't race ungenerously, 'Helmet' will win in comfortable fashion. If the leaders engage in a speed battle early, then 'Chase The Rainbow' will be flashing home late.
Difficult race with a host of chances. 'Panipique' and 'Valentine Miss' look the hardest to beat here, but I'll have to give the nod to 'Panipique' who is trained on track. Hasn't won over 1200m as yet, but showed last start she is screaming out for this longer trip. 'Valentine Miss' will get a perfect run from barrier 8 and will be thereabouts come the finish.
Race Nine 6.Utah Saints - 10.Do Ra Mi - 3.Bullbars - 4.Testa My Patience
Another tough race to end the program, and the Quaddie, so best to go wide. 'Utah Saints' has been ever consistent throughout his career and seems to be hitting his best this campaign. From barrier 2, he should position perfectly just behind the speed and kick away turning for home. 'Do Ra Mi' will need to lift, but is a classy mare who needs luck in her races, if the speed is fierce, she will be motoring home late along with 'Bullbars'.
10.Torah – 9.Our Smokin Rock – 4.Welcome Advice - 7.Charmarama
Race Two
2.Rose Pattern – 1.Classic Elle – 4.Twilighting – 3.Mo Vo
Race Three
5.Crafty Cruiser – 1.Gotta Take Care – 3.Madaba Flyer – 8.Daaloob
Race Four
8.No Means Go – 10.Belle Diva – 4.Alpha Proxima – 2.That’s Not It
Race Five
1.Dance With Her – 3.Sister Norma – 5.Placement – 7.Model To Nite
'Dance With Her' has been nothing but consistent this preparation and is by far and away the class runner of the field. I believe with the rail out 7 metres she will lead easily and kick clear rounding for home. 'Sister Norma' is a developing stayer who with every run shows great improvement, if not too far back in the run, she will be right in the finish.
Race Six
8.La Praline – 3.Verdasco – 1.Private Jeune – 10.Bellantina
My love/hate relationship with 'La Praline' will be put to the ultimate test tonight. Carrying only 54 KGs on her back, she will push forward and will be extremely hard to run down. This race should only be a small stepping stone for her on the way to bigger and better races during the Spring Carnival.
In what is a small but extremely competitive affair, 'Sunset Cafe' showed enough promise in his last campaign for me to give him the nod. After running encouragingly over a short distance first up, stretching out to the 2040 of the Valley should suit perfectly. The lightly raced stayer will face tough opposition from the ultra-competitive 'Buzzwin' and another emerging stayer 'Almindoro'.
An extremely hard race to end the program, but it's difficult to go past 'Cosmic Causeway'. After last campaign competing with potential Group star 'Speediness', he returned to form with a nice win in an easier affair last start. Moody should have him peaking into this race, and will get a gun run from barrier 6. 'Invincible You', 'Another Prelate' and 'Gold Sand' all have big chances if they handle the tight turning Valley track.