CAULFIELD January 17

Ok here we go with our Wednesday dual meetings in Melbourne with Moe early afternoon and this main Caulfield meeting kicking in at 4.30pm as it will be starting to warm up into a late week heat wave, so track with rail out 12m will be firm.

BEST BETS: Race 3 #12 PERSIAN EMPIRE and Race 4 # 11 SILENT GENERAL

BEST VALUE: Race 7 #17 COMRADE NED

Race 1: 10-14-8-6

Early market moves and trials/jumpouts suggest first starters MASUTA ($170k Mastercraftsman gelding) and TWILIGHT SONG (Fastnet Rock filly) will be key players here. Watch further market pressure but forgiving the inexplicable run (in a BM70) of SPIRIT OF ARQUADA 2^nd-up, the Bel Sonic run resuming (also in a BM70) is far more indicative and encouraging and back to Mdn class now. CHAOS BALL is an on pacer fitter for resuming run.

SUGGESTED: Tricky – respecting any more market moves for 8/14.

Race 2: 7-8-3-10

NO REWARD is now with Jason Warren (ex-retired Sam Pritchard-Gordon) and won a trial at Stony Creek, shown enough ability and looks ready. Respecting PAGEANTRY with blinkers again resuming in an easier mid-week grade than when ran in some ambitious spring targets. LUCKY CAT (slowly away here last time) wants the 1200m, SIMEULUE is in the similar mix back from a BM70 last time here.

SUGGESTED: Reckon we go NO REWARD.

Race 3: 12-9-5-1

PERSIAN EMPIRE is a horse going places – New Zealand in fact for their Derby – but is back from 2040m at the Valley to 1600m here, no issues, should handle these. LA VOLT just can’t win at the moment, never runs poorly, maybe 1600m suits now. RANSOME MONEY over-raced last time, can improve manners and KAPAULENKO has had a winless but good campaign.

SUGGESTED: PERSIAN EMPIRE should win.

Race 4: 11-9-6-2

Like to think this is pretty straight forward if form runs true. Hence SILENT GENERAL totally unlucky at Flemington can atone here with blinkers at 2000m. That said SAVVY DRESSER respected, is 2^nd-up here as was when it won Maiden at 2060m last campaign. BEDFORD beat home Silent General last time and will be competitive again. EUREKA STREET may be the best value not fittest after 4 runs in.

SUGGESTED: Very keen SILENT GENERAL, if your better strategy allows – save on SAVVY DRESSER.

Race 5: 8-10-13-1

Thinking with subtle gear change – blinkers for winkers – and touch of fitness, MISS VESPER gets chance here in open quaddie starter. ALASKAN SUN has run well both efforts in and has to be competitive racing on pace. Ditto for LA RENARDE (fractious in barriers Sandown last time) while DECONI (hit line strongly Sandown and since forced stable change) is enjoying a good campaign. DOC’S HERO was scratched Saturday for this.

SUGGESTED: Wide quaddie, something at value MISS VESPER.

Race 6: 3-11-7-12

Surely CHIPPENHAM is ready to win, gets right run you’d have to expect from this draw at this start. CEYLON was too good on heavy ground resuming, always shown talent and firm track here won’t be an issue as out to the 1440m 2^nd-up. HUNAMOSA is sure to be competitive back from 1800m; THE GREAT ARTISTE comes here in good form and with a hint of upside.

SUGGESTED: Favourite CHIPPENHAM the one to beat.

Race 7: 17-14-13-6

Giving COMRADE NED another chance this grade to turn it around on the last start Sandown all the way winner BOO RADLEY (WRITTEN IN STONE same race)but not much between many of these. TOOSBUY got tactics wrong last time, better chasing as did at previous Mornington win. BORD DE GAIN is clearly going well enough to be competitive.

SUGGESTED: Some value with COMRADE NED.

Race 8: 11-12-8-10

Even tempo predicted and like the way ISLE OF CAPRI won at Newcastle 2^nd up at 1500m and profiles well switching straight to Melbourne and gets Oliver – that combination with Waller has been pretty lethal. SMART STILETTO has hit the line well in two recent wins on the run through the grades. HELLO MY DEAR (9yo mare mind you) is ready after 2 runs back. NEAR QUEUE is racing well – had no luck Sandown in pretty strong race last time.

SUGGESTED: Like the way ISLE OF CAPRI shapes for this.

QUADDIE:

1-2-6-8-9-10-13

3-7-11

7-13-14-17

11-12

$84 for 50%