10/7/2021 Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets – Caulfield, Sir John Monash Stakes day

A nine race card has been assembled for Caulfield on Saturday. The weather is fine, the track is good (4) and the rail is in the true position for the entire circuit.

Sir John Monash Stakes 🏆: View the Field and Odds for the Sir John Monash Stakes

2 Zapateo (Bet Now: $2.30 TOP ODDS) on top but not really a race I want to get involved in. James Cummings trained filly that produced an electric finale to win on debut at Geelong under Olly, who remains on for this race. If she can sit closer in the run from the good draw, she’ll take a power of beating.

6 First Division (Bet Now: $5.00 TOP ODDS) looks to have her share of talent based off jumpouts. Henry Dwyer trained filly that is on debut and she has looked the part at the jumpouts hence why there has been good support for her since Wednesday, and she should land in a nice spot from gate one.

10 Viviane (Bet Now: $4.00 TOP ODDS) can be thereabouts for the Ellerton/Zahra camp. Ran behind Jigsaw here a fortnight ago. Outclassed a touch but she ran an honest race I thought in defeat. Not sure I could back her to win a race like this, but I can definitely entertain her as a first four threat.

1 Zipping Boy (Bet Now: $8.50 TOP ODDS) is a smart three year old for Jerome Hunter. Took on the open sprinters at Sandown several weeks ago and with the clever claim for Will Price, got in very well at the weights and duly saluted in good style. Back to his own age, he appeals here for sure.

Up to 1100m again I do like for 2 All Of Brighton (Bet Now: $4.50 TOP ODDS). Far from disgraced two back at Flemington behind Curran. Then went to the 1000m here and was good late from the back behind Malkovich after getting a mile out of his ground. Getting up in trip, he’ll be hard to beat if he sits closer in the run.

Fitter and up to 1100m are two big ticks for 6 Dickin Medal (Bet Now: $10.00 TOP ODDS). Ran over 1000m here two weeks ago and worked to the line pretty well after getting a fair way back in the run. That was his first run in several weeks so he’ll take good improvement off that and appeals.

Fresh legs back to a fast run 1100m I like for 10 La Vina (Bet Now: $6.50 TOP ODDS). The Lindsey Smith stable post Warrnambool has been a bit down on form, but the last week or two, they’re starting to fire again. This girl is five weeks between runs since a fair effort over 1400m at Flemington behind talented filly Snickerdoodledandy. Fast run sprint racing looks her go and Prebble is combining very well with the stable in recent times.

9 Zorro’s Dream (Bet Now: $3.30 TOP ODDS) is three weeks between runs for Mitch Freedman since racing down the straight at Flemington. Thought it was a lovely ride by Will Price and deserved a win, but just failed to get there, nabbed late by Express Pass. That form does read strong for a race like this.

All three career wins for 1 Tony Nicconi (Bet Now: $21.00 TOP ODDS) have come at this track so with that in mind, I think he is big odds. Resumed over 975m during the Swan Hill Carnival and was far from disgraced in defeat behind Heavenly Bridges, a speedy mare. His second up record does read quite well for this.

I’ll take the chance with 8 Madame Bolli (Bet Now: $15.00 TOP ODDS). This filly is going for four on the bounce, her latest win coming on the Synthetic at Ballarat on Tuesday. She was absolutely trucking behind the speed and once she peeled off the leaders back, it was race over and she gapped them. This race, as a whole, is thin, and down in the weights, I think she appeals.

7 Hai Sun (Bet Now: $5.00 TOP ODDS) is a Mitch Freedman trained filly that resumed here two weeks ago despite being a maiden and under a lovely ride from Yendall, despite being challenged in the straight, she was strong to the line in winning and impressive. You’d like to think there is only improvement to come.

1 Forever Free (Bet Now: $9.50 TOP ODDS) is an honest filly for the Ellerton/Zahra camp that is rarely far away from the action. Ran behind Malkovich here last time out where she was near the pace throughout and fought on okay despite seemingly having her chance. If she gets luck in the run, she can be dangerous.

6 Tooradin (Bet Now: $3.60) on top but not really a race I want to get involved in from a betting perspective. Month between runs since racing on a biased track at Sandown, a very biased track, and the way it played, he was no chance of beating Falls, but did a good job to run as well as he did. Like him up in trip and lands in a plum spot from the draw.

16 Reflect The Stars (Bet Now: $13.00) looks to be in for a good prep. Danny O’Brien trained mare that resumed over the mile here two weeks ago and was good I thought from the back behind Ballet Master, a definite pass mark. Two time second up winner and up in trip, she appeals as a winning threat.

7 Yulong Captain (Bet Now: $23.00) can be dangerous here at a price. Team Hayes gelding that was unwanted in betting when resuming over the mile here given he was first up over an unsuitable trip, but I liked the way he finished his race off. If he’s within range on the turn, he can be a threat.

8 Za’ex (Bet Now: $18.00) looks a progressive type for the Alderson team and second up at 2000m I do like, especially with the different form. These 3YO middle distance/staying races, they take their turns winning and usually different form comes to the fore. He was a strong maiden winner fresh over the mile at Pakenham on the Synthetic and got better as the race went on. He’ll eat up the 2000m and is hard to beat.

1 Namakwa (Bet Now: $4.50) is three weeks between runs for the Maher/Eustace camp since racing over 2000m at Flemington. Did a bit of work in the run from the wide gate but stayed on and was sound in defeat behind Unique Artist. Dodged the Mahogany Final in preference for this. Hard to beat.

9 Uniquely (Bet Now: $18.00) has been up longer than Ron Jeremy, but she is a filly who is holding her form and racing well. Ran over 2000m a Flemington a few weeks back where she was near last in the run before edging wider and found the line pretty well, albeit never a threat to Unique Artist. Not sure she wins, but a must for exotics.

Third up from a break, I think 3 Think ‘N’ Fly (Bet Now: $3.60) is ready to win. Second up from a spell came three weeks ago at Flemington, where he worked to the line strongly late from off the speed when third to Degraves. 2/2 third up and Olly sticks in a winnable race, so he’ll do me.

9 Chief Altony (Bet Now: $3.00) is the most progressive of this lot. Bit of quality about the way he put them away to win last Wednesday at Sandown, lumping the big weight but showing his class and really put them away nicely late. The positive is the upside factor. The negative is that Tom Stockdale, overall, is riding badly out of form at the moment.

8 Betcha Flying (Bet Now: $19.00) is a Chris Waller trained mare that I think can figure in the finish. Really caught the eye here fresh behind Kirwan’s Lane. Stable then sent her to Flemington where she was just fair but the winner of the race, Degraves, I rate as a potential Spring Carnival prospect, so the form does read well.

1 Viridine (Bet Now: $4.40) is flying for James Cummings and deserves another Stakes win. He gets his chance here. He ran four weeks ago in the Bob Charley at Randwick. Despite sitting wide no cover for the trip, he kept finding and was really good when third to Adelong, who has won again since. Tick over trial was a lovely piece of work and is suited at WFA.

Good little test here for 10 Malkovich (Bet Now: $2.45) but he’s a hard fit/in form three year old that will put himself on speed. He was there to be beaten two weeks ago here but he found under pressure and was strong late in winning. Good test here, but with the hard fitness, he commands respect.

9 Dexelation (Bet Now: $41.00) is a beauty from SA for the Jolly camp and is a winning threat. Didn’t stop chasing in the Topaz at Swan Hill, just missing out on the win when a narrow second to Midships. He generally runs well when racing in Melbourne and is a must for multiples I’d suggest.

The fitness levels are the unknown with the import 10 Floating Artist (Bet Now: $31.00), who makes his Australian debut. His UK form is potential Group l, but I’d say Group ll/Group lll. Best suited over 2400m+, but he has class and if his fitness levels are anywhere near right, I think he’ll go awfully close.

8 Jumbo Ozaki (Bet Now: $7.50) is the one I am wary of. He resumed behind Corner Pocket here a fortnight back. Paraded like he would benefit with the run under the belt but his run was a pass mark given it was his first run since May 2020. He’s got enormous upside compared to most and a touch of quality.

1 Shot Of Irish (Bet Now: $27.00) is a beauty for Scott Brunton that resumes. Tassie galloper hasn’t raced since January 6 when putting in absolute howler in the Devonport Cup behind Newhart. He’s a bomb when produced fresh, likes Caulfield and has trialled really well leading in.

BEST BET: Race Seven Number 3 Think ‘N’ Fly

NEXT BEST: Race One Number 2 Zapateo

LONG SHOT: Race Nine Number 10 Floating Artist

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Quaddie Tips (Races Six Through To Nine):

Leg One: 1, 7, 8, 9

Leg Two: 3, 9

Leg Three: 1, 2, 9, 10

Leg Four: 1, 8, 10, 14, 17

$50 Investment = 31.25% of the dividend if successful