Last week it was Sydney's turn to shine and this week the spotlight shifts to Melbourne, with the first Group 1 of the Victorian racing season. The Memsie Stakes has come up a cracker, supported by four other feature races at Caulfield, while some of Sydney's better three-year-olds step out in two strong races at Rosehill.
Caulfield R5 — Courtza Stakes (G3) · 1200m · 2:20pm
Shadhavar is chasing four straight wins after a tough first-up victory in the Regal Roller and looks ideally placed back against her own sex. Wrote To Arataki has an excellent fresh record, while Group 1 winner Belle Cheval, Custom and Photograph give the race plenty of depth.
Market movers: Salty Pearl has been backed from $19 into $13, while Gold Medallist has shortened from $18 into $11.
Caulfield R6 — The Heath (G3) · 1100m · 2:55pm
Oliveanotherday is one of the most interesting runners of the day after winning all four starts last preparation and returning with two impressive jumpout wins, with an Everest slot potentially on the line. Bridal Waltz has strong fresh form, while Group 1 winner War Machine is capable of producing his best first-up.
Market mover: Recommendation has been heavily supported from $20 into $8.50.
Caulfield R7 — McNeil Stakes (G3) · 1200m · 3:30pm
Kiwi Group 1 winner Seize The Day makes his Australian debut after demolishing his rivals by 4.5 lengths in the NZ Sires' Produce, while American Eagle created a big impression winning on debut at Sandown. Aethera, Unit Five and Confederation add further quality to a deep three-year-old contest.
Market mover: Seize The Day opened $5.00 and was quickly backed into $3.90, before easing back out to around $4.60.
Caulfield R8 — Memsie Stakes (G1) · 1400m · 4:10pm
The first Melbourne Group 1 of the spring has attracted a superb field. Beiwacht is a proven star at 1400m and should take plenty of catching, while Cosmic Crusader arrives off an impressive P.B. Lawrence win. Jimmysstar, Angel Capital, Autumn Boy, Mr Brightside and Treasurethe Moment make this one of the strongest races of the early spring.
Market mover: Treasurethe Moment has been backed from $9.00 into $7.00.
Caulfield R9 — Heatherlie Stakes (Listed) · 1700m · 4:45pm
Plenty of interest surrounds French import Yellow Jersey after an encouraging Australian debut and some impressive work ahead of his return. Soulcombe makes his long-awaited comeback, having not raced since 2023, while First Chorus, Just Folk, Wootton Verni and Irish Group 1 winner Barnavara give the race plenty of depth.
Market: no clear market moves.
Rosehill R7 — Up And Coming Stakes (G3) · 1300m · 3:15pm
An open three-year-old contest where Plagiarism gets a significant weight swing after an encouraging first-up performance, while Savagram steps sharply up in grade after a solid debut. Outspan returns to Sydney and could be one at odds to watch.
Market movers: Hostwin King has been crunched from $31 into $13, while Genesis Runner has firmed from $9.50 into $5.50.
Rosehill R8 — San Domenico Stakes (G3) · 1100m · 3:50pm
A quality group of three-year-olds headed by Guest House and Warwoven, who virtually dead-heated in a recent trial. Blue Door has race fitness and the inside draw, while unraced Hawkes colt Wild Atlantic is fascinating after winning four of his five trials and looking particularly sharp in his latest hit-out.
Market movers: Wild Atlantic has been backed from $9.50 into $7.00, while Blue Door was smashed early from $2.30 into $1.90 before easing back out to around $2.15.
Editorial at The Daily Punt, covering Australian racing and sport with an eye for where the value sits.
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