SKY RACING’S QUEENSLAND TURF EXPERT NATHAN EXELBY ANALYSES TODAY’S ACTION AT CAULFIELD
RACE 6 FUTURITY STAKES (1400M)
Tofane ($2.60) was too zippy in the Orr and think she can be the same again here, with Mo’unga ($5) and I’m Thunderstruck ($3.60) superior once they get to a mile. She has a string of 1400m ratings that stand out for this race and she usually improves into a campaign, so no reason she will go backwards from the first-up win. There’s more pressure in this race, but she can take the trail and still show a turn of foot. Mo’unga was a G1 winner first up last prep and did beat Tofane home in the Makybe Diva (1600m). I’m Thunderstruck will be better for the fresh run and more pressure up front this time help.
SELECTIONS 4 Tofane, 3 Mo’unga, 1 I’m Thunderstruck
RACE 7 BLUE DIAMOND STAKES (1200M)
None of them have put up a G1 performance yet, so it’s a matter of which one takes the big step today. I’m with Sebonack ($7) to buck the poor record of horses having their second start. He was dominant on debut and has won a jumpout stylishly since. Hafey ($19) is another having his second start. He jumps up many panels in class, but did it easily. Jacquinot and Counttheheadlights ($17) are going to relish 1200m, while Daumier ($15) could improve with the blinkers. The fillies bettered the colts on the clock in the Preludes, so Revolutionary Miss ($6) and Miss Rosieano ($11) are hopes, but the former was short of top class in Sydney, which is a query.
SELECTIONS
4 Sebonack, 10 Hafey, 6 Jacquinot, 3 Daumier, 5 Counttheheadlights
RACE 8 OAKLEIGH PLATE (1100M)
Marabi ($2.80) is a deserving favourite but faces more pressure today than she has in any of her starts, with Jonker ($16) and Malkovich ($19) to her outside serving it up early. Away Game ($8.50) gets a 6.5kg swing from their meeting in December. Don’t think she’s as good leading, so prepared to forgive the Coast defeat and bank on her producing a big finish here. Minhaaj ($7.50) has been super since joining the John O’shea stable and she’s trialled well. Also including Ingratiating ($23). He’s been disappointing since winning first up last spring, but blinkers go on here and 50kg might spark improvement. Oxley Road ($11) out of the same race enjoys a nice weight drop too. SELECTIONS
7 Away Game, 9 Minhaaj, 12 Ingratiating, 5 Marabi
RACE 9 MORNINGTON CUP (2000M)
Desert Icon ($2.15) won with a leg in the air at this track last time, controlling in front and then kicking right away in the straight. Out to 2000m is an ideal progression and he looks like being terribly hard to run down again. Wyclif ($4.80) went to South Australia off a 56 day break and really put in, running strong closing sectionals. He had promised to be a handy horse in Australia, but disappointed on most occasions. Perhaps he’s now ready to live up to his early potential. Pancho ($9) will be fitter again and 2000m suits, while Criminal Code ($7.50) completes a super strong hand for the Chris Waller stable, but the favourite looks awfully hard to beat.
SELECTIONS
5 Desert Icon, 8 Wyclif