Caulfield Racing Preview: Saturday 3rd February By Dean McHugh

Race 1: The McCaf Handicap (1200m)

Seven racers will head down to post for the opening race of the day. Expected to jump off as the favourite is Lost who will be looking for a second career victory in what will be just her fourth start.

Likely to rate as a danger to all in the field will be Excommunicado, who will be looking to repeat the success of her debut victory. 

Race 2: ive> Handicap (1800m)

A field of eleven will compete for the ive> Handicap and Smokin’ Giant will be looking for a second successive victory following an impressive debut. 

There is no shortage of recent winners, with seven taking their place in the lineup. Genrichero, Justaboom and Autumn Colours are all worthy of consideration.

Race 3: Robert Hunter Handicap (1100m)

An intriguing race awaits in the Robert Hunter Handicap. Johnny Rocker has won two of his first seven starts but has now gone without a win in five races. A slight drop in class could see him return to the winner’s circle. 

Dakota Lee could have an assignment in Moonee Valley on Friday, but if she swerves that assignment, she could be one to watch due to the fact she has won seven races in a row.

Race 4: Lamaro’s Hotel Chairman’s Stakes (1000m)

Two horses look set to compete in the Lamaro’s Hotel Chairman’s Stakes, and there doesn’t seem to be much between Coleman and Eneeza.

Coleman was a great winner on debut and seemed to pick up the swing of things as the race wore on. With that experience behind him, he could keep his unbeaten start intact. 

Eneeza will be making her third start of her career and will be looking to win her second race.

A dominant winner when last seen, she could take some stopping. 

Race 5: John Moule Handicap (1400m)

A loaded field of sixteen horses will canter down to post for the fifth race of the card. 

Races of this nature can throw up an unexpected winner and Signal, Van Roy and Regal Zeus could all be dangerous following their victories when they last raced. 

However, Punch Lane could be the one to bet on. A winner of three of his first six starts, he looks to be a horse going places and could well find himself back in the winner’s circle. 

If looking to back a horse at a decent price, it could be worth siding with Hooah Havana, who has won three of his first eight starts and looks capable of playing a part in proceedings here. 

Race 6: Mal Seccull Handicap (2400m)

Despite nine horses being declared, the betting would indicate that only four horses have a chance of victory in the sixth race of the day. 

Monbaher, Herman Hesse, Fearentless and Grand Promenade will all be tightly covered in the betting, but it could be worth siding with Fearentless. 

A good winner last time out, she has not finished outside of the places in any of her last three starts and looks set to give her running once again. 

Race 7: Sportsbet The Feed Handicap (1800m)

Arguably, the trickiest race of the day to predict is the seventh.

Botany has finished inside the top three in each of her last four races and looks like one of the safest bets of the day. 

Star Vega has won his last two races and looks like another viable contender, as does Moveforlex, who will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways following a disappointing run last time out. 

Race 8: Lamaro’s Hotel Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m)

Wrote to Arataki looks like the most likely winner of the eighth race of the day. A winner of five of her sixteen career starts, she has won three of her last ten starts and looks well-positioned for more glory here. 

She won’t have things all her own way, and A Little Deep, Penthouse, and Vagrant could all play a major part in proceedings following some decent showings when last seen on track. 

It could also be worth keeping an eye on Sneaky Paige, who surprised many when last seen and will be hoping to build on that positive showing here. 

Race 9: Catanachs Jewellers Handicap (1100m)

Despite fourteen horses having been declared, Midtown Boss is likely to start as the horse they will need to beat in the penultimate contest of the day. 

Having won three of his first seven starts, he easily boasts the best form in the race and looks well-placed to win yet again.

Jungle Jim looks attractively priced and heads into this race following two consecutive wins. Clearly thriving, he could be one of the best value bets of the day. 

Race 10: Sportsbet Get On Extra Handicap (1400m)

The final race of the day has seen sixteen horses declared, but one horse will dominate the betting and that’s Jimmysstar.

A star at this level, he has won four of his first five starts and four in succession. With form that few in this race can match, he could be one of the best bets of the day. 

Who Dares could be the choice to take him on. Although not a prolific winner, he is in great form, having not finished outside of the top two in any of his last three starts. 

If you are looking to round off your Saturday in style, the play could be with Up and Under. Set to start at a big price, he has placed in three of his six career starts and was a good winner last time out.