2017 Thoroughbred Club Cup Day headlines Victorian racing at Caulfield on Saturday and two black type races highlight an impressive nine race card.
Doubt I’m Dreaming is favourite to win the featured Thoroughbred Club Cup at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Several talented two-year-olds will take to the barriers for the Listed Thoroughbred Club Cup (1200m) at 2:35pm local time, while an open field of eleven will contest the Listed Thoroughbred Club 50th Year In 2018 Stakes (14400m) at 4:30pm.
We have analysed every runner and race in detail in order to help you find a winner on 2017 Thoroughbred Club Cup Day.
Race 1 (12:10pm) Ern Jensen Funerals Handicap (1800m)
Eleven three-year-olds are set to contest Race 1 at Caulfield on Saturday and there is a number of live chances in the field. Fomo returned to the races for a smart win over 1400m last week and appears as though he will relish a step up in distance, while Soju Warrior has posted a number of smart results this time in, albeit between lacklustre performances. Trainer Robbie Laing has an opinion of Stornaway and the gelding has furnished into a quality galloper this time in and is undoubtedly a far better chance of winning than his long-odds quote suggests.
Tip: No. 2 Fomo – Each Way ($7.50/$2.50)
Race 2 (12:45pm) Sky High Mt Dandenong Handicap (2000m)
Several notable Saturday grade stayers will take their position in Race 2, including Snitzelwood (barrier 13), Hursley (barrier 2), Xebec (barrier 11) and Odeon (barrier 7). This is a big step back in class for Anaheim and he is weighted to win this race. Stephen Baster should have no issue finding a good position in transit for the gelding from a central draw and he was arguably at his best when fourth in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas over the distance on March 18th. The race appears to be perfect placement by trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young and the three-year-old’s class should be enough to see a return to winning form.
Tip: No. 10 Anaheim ($5)
Race 3 (1:20pm) No Fuss Events Hire Handicap (1200m)
A capacity and open field of fourteen will take to the barriers for the No Fuss Events Hire Handicap and there is a case to be made for more than half the field. Mr Sneaky (barrier 6) savaged the line to beat a smart field in the Saintly Handicap (1400m) last start and a repeat of that performance would see him extremely tough to beat in this race. Cosmic Lights (barrier 2) was impressive in a Cranbourne barrier trial last weekend and is a noted first-up performer, while Laucchetti (barrier 10) and Wind Force (barrier 13) are both not without a chance of saluting a double-figure odds.
Tip: No. 11 Mr Sneaky ($2.80)
Race 4 (1:55pm) Changing Places Real Estate Handicap (1100m)
A number of proven three-year-old fillies will line up in Race 4 on Thoroughbred Club Cup Day, including Merriest. Having clearly required a run when she worked to the line for fifth in a Flemington minor over 1100m on March 18th, the daughter of Denman produced a strong turn of foot to win the Geoff Murphy Handicap (1100m) by half a length a fortnight ago. She gives 4.5kgs to her closest rival, but her class is sure to count for plenty. Fawaareq has only made one appearance at the races, but she was an easy winner and has conditions to suit in this race.
Tip: No. 1 Merriest ($4.40)
Race 5 (2:35pm) Listed Thoroughbred Club Cup (1200m)
The feature race and one of only two black type events set to be contested at Caulfield on Saturday has drawn a number of exciting two-year-olds. Doubt I’m Dreaming was a dominant winner on debut and is probably a justifiable odds-on favourite on that performance, however two-year-olds can arguably never been considered ‘sure things’. Indernile (barrier 9) was prominent in Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes betting before suffering a minor ailment and the juvenile is undoubtedly the value in this small field, after trialling well. Two horses; Basanite (barrier 6) and Auditioned (barrier 13) will make their competitive debuts in the race.
Tip: No. 5 Indernile – Each Way ($15/$3.10)
Race 6 (3:15pm) Next Payments Handicap (1200m)
First emergency Hollywoodgirl has gained a start in Race 6 at Caulfield after trainer Nigel Blackiston elected to scratch Sneakers from the final field of fourteen. The race has drawn undoubtedly the most talent-rich and open field of all nine events slated for the card and there is plenty of legitimate chances of success. Artie Dee Two has beaten several notable three-year-olds this time in and if he can handle topweight of 58kgs, he is the horse to beat. Highland Beat (barrier 10), Valliano (barrier 6) and Wazzenme (barrier 17) all have the ability to win this race on their day, while Leotie is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from her first-up run and is drawn to get a lovely run in transit from barrier 5.
Tip: No. 4 Leotie – Each Way ($12/$3.60)
Race 7 (3:55pm) LU Simon Builders Handicap (1100m)
An open field of thirteen mares will run in the LU Simon Builders Handicap and we are set for an exciting contest. Chiavari has steadily built to the task this time in and will have the notable advantage of in-form apprentice Ben Allen in the saddle on Saturday. Miss Vista returned to the race for a comprehensive win at Caulfield on April 15th and while stepping up in class, will enjoy the conditions of this race. Grey Street (barrier 4) should take plenty of improvement from her first-up second in the same race.
Tip: No. 10 Grey Street ($4.80)
Race 8 (4:30pm) Listed Thoroughbred Club 50th Year in 2018 Stakes (1440m)
Trainer Darren Weir will launch a multiple-pronged attack in the second black type race on Thoroughbred Club Cup Day and both Star Exhibit (barrier 11) and Heart Starter (barrier 7) are primed to run well first-up. Both former Perth gallopers, Star Exhibit ended a smart summer campaign with consecutive wins in the Listed ATA Stakes (2200m) and Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m), while Heart Starter most notably won the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) and ended his campaign in Group 1 company. Veteran galloper Charmed Harmony will back-up ibn the race and will be tough to run down in current form, while Top Me Up (barrier 8) has conditions to suit and is shooting for a third-consecutive race win.
Tip: No. 10 Top Me Up – Each Way ($6/$2.10)
Race 9 (5:05pm) Treasury Wine Estates Handicap (1600m)
2017 Thoroughbred Club Cup Day will draw to a close with the running of the Treasury Wine Estates Handicap. Petrology (barrier 8) has been extremely inconsistent throughout his racing career, but he is capable of brilliance on his day and he was not disgraced when sixth amongst notable company in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) first-up a fortnight ago. Fastnet Latina (barrier 5) is yet to taste anything but success this time and will be extremely tough to beat once more from a good draw and with only 54kgs in tow, while Curragh (barrier 3) and The Chairman (barrier 9) have also both found good form.
Tip: No. 2 Petrology – Each Way ($19/$5)
