A massive Saturday of spring racing awaits at Caulfield and Rosehill, with three Group 1s headlining Caulfield Guineas Day and another quality Sydney program built around the $2 million Hill Stakes. From the Caulfield Guineas and Might And Power to some serious Everest and spring carnival form in Sydney, we take a quick look at the key feature races and the early market action.
Caulfield
R4 – 2:00pm | Sportsbet Herbert Power Stakes
2400m | Group 2 | Open SWP | Soft 6
Pinhole steps to 2400m after closing strongly in both Sydney runs this preparation and James McDonald takes over. Knight's Choice had little room second-up and drops 3kg, while Shockletz was dominant over 2520m at Flemington last start. Future History continues to race consistently and maps for an economical run just off the speed.
Market mover: Pinhole has firmed from $5.00 into $4.40.
R5 – 2:35pm | HKJC World Pool Northwood Plume Stakes
1200m | Group 3 | Mares | SWP | Soft 6
Point Barrow ran down Bridal Waltz over this track and trip last start and the pair clash again on similar terms. Bridal Waltz should be prominent and gets Luke Nolen aboard, while Eagle Express arrives in strong form after a win and second from two runs this preparation. Naifah has a solid fresh record and can race on speed.
Market: no significant moves since opening.
R6 – 3:15pm | Henley Homes Schillaci Stakes
1100m | Group 2 | WFA | Soft 6
Jigsaw resumes chasing an eighth straight win and should control the race from the inside draw after some encouraging jumpouts. Streisand gets a huge weight pull after striking traffic first-up at Flemington, while Rey Magnerio has a strong fresh record. Flying For Fun should concede a start but possesses a powerful finish.
Market: no significant moves since opening.
R7 – 3:50pm | Sportsbet Might And Power Stakes
2000m | Group 1 | WFA | Soft 6
Sheza Alibi steps to 2000m for the first time after continuing her outstanding preparation and shapes as though the trip will suit. Birdman was impressive beating Cosmic Crusader in the Underwood and has now won four of his past seven. Treasurethe Moment improved third-up, while Kingswood comes through the same Underwood form.
Market mover: Treasurethe Moment has firmed from $14.00 into $11.00.
R8 – 4:30pm | Sportsbet Caulfield Guineas
1600m | Group 1 | 3YO | SW | Soft 6
Blind Raise has impressed winning both runs this preparation and maps to control proceedings from a favourable draw. Warwoven was dominant winning the Golden Rose and brings the strongest Sydney form, while Tron Bolt looks ready for the rise to 1600m. Central Europe gets James McDonald aboard and can improve after working on speed in the Golden Rose.
Market: no significant moves since opening.
R9 – 5:10pm | Hyland Race Colours Toorak Handicap
1600m | Group 1 | Handicap | Soft 6
Welcometotheshow overcame trouble to win third-up and should get a much cleaner passage from barrier six. Warnie had little luck when sixth here last start and gets Mark Zahra back aboard, while Evaporate can improve sharply after pulling up lame following a tough wide run. Regal Award was strong fresh and should again make his own luck on speed.
Market mover: Feroce has firmed from $18.00 into $15.00.
R10 – 5:45pm | Nationwide Weekend Hussler Stakes
1400m | Listed | Handicap | Soft 6
Harry's Yacht covered ground when finishing close behind Regal Zeus here second-up and meets him 2.5kg better this time. Regal Zeus should again give a strong sight on speed, while Steparty resumes after trialling well and has performed fresh previously. Queensland Oaks winner Fireball Miss returns over a trip short of her best but brings obvious class.
Market mover: War Machine has firmed from $20.00 into $12.00.
Rosehill
R4 – 2:20pm | Schweppes Gloaming Stakes
1800m | Group 3 | 3YO | SW | Soft
Genesis Runner and Wonka back up after fighting out a close finish last weekend and both should appreciate the rise to 1800m. Scarole brings solid Stutt Stakes form through Diameter and makes his first Sydney appearance, while unbeaten Proxima Dea has been kept fresh with a recent trial and faces her biggest class test.
Market mover: Proxima Dea has firmed from $4.60 into $4.00.
R5 – 2:55pm | DrinkWise Tapp-Craig
1400m | Listed | 3YO | SWP | Soft
Lafite looks to be building nicely after an encouraging return followed by a strong Kembla win. Revengeance brings experience through some handy three-year-old races and maps for a good run, while Chuchichaschtli created an immediate impression winning on debut. Piedmont has already shown ability and should appreciate any give in the ground.
Market mover: Chuchichaschtli has firmed from $4.60 into $3.10.
R6 – 3:35pm | TAB Roman Consul Stakes
1200m | Group 2 | 3YO | SWP | Soft
Satono Glow returned with another strong victory and her overall time compared favourably with Paradoxium's Flemington performance. Barracks makes a sizeable jump from maiden company but looks to have considerable upside, while several runners bring exposed stakes form into a deep three-year-old sprint with potential Everest carnival implications.
Market movers: Satono Glow has firmed from $3.50 into $2.90, Blessed Eagle from $12.00 into $9.00, and Barracks from $46.00 into $31.00.
R7 – 4:10pm | Toyota Forklifts Hill Stakes
1900m | Group 2 | 3YO+ | WFA | Soft
Lindermann returns to familiar territory after an inconsistent Melbourne campaign and won this race last year. Attrition was third at Group 1 level last start and has an excellent record when travelling to Sydney, while Eliyass is another proven weight-for-age performer. Kovalica also knows this race well, having finished behind Lindermann twelve months ago.
Market mover: Linebacker has firmed from $10.00 into $8.00.
R8 – 4:50pm | Alan Brown Stakes
1400m | Group 3 | Quality | Soft
A deep $1.5 million contest featuring several established Group performers. Sepals returns to Sydney after finishing second to Autumn Glow in last year's Golden Eagle and brings strong Group 1 form either side of his break. Headley Grange, Gringotts and General Salute filled the trifecta in this race last year, while Lady Shenandoah adds further top-level quality if connections elect to run here.
Market movers: Sylph has firmed from $8.00 into $5.50, and Arabian Rose from $12.00 into $10.00.
R9 – 5:25pm | The Nivison
1200m | Group 3 | 4YO+ Mares | SWP | Soft
A big field of mares with the final makeup important given several dual acceptors. She's An Artist maps for an economical run and gets an opportunity to break through at stakes level, while Asgarda could control the tempo after leading her latest trial. Nepo Baby has enough speed to push forward and several of the leading chances should enjoy conditions if the track remains rain-affected.
Market: no significant moves since opening.
Editorial at The Daily Punt, covering Australian racing and sport with an eye for where the value sits.
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