Caulfield Cup Day preview & betting tips | October 21, 2023

Race 1: 3YO C&G Plate (1400m)

We kick off the day with a competitive three-year-old race for the boys and on the back of a confidence boosting win at Sandown, The Instructor can go on with the job on Saturday. The Russian Revolution colt opted to take a sit on the leader’s heels that day. He quickened nicely to put the race away in a couple of strides. This is obviously harder, but from barrier seven, he looks destined to land outside the lead under Tim Clark. With the favourite Brave Mead drawn awkwardly for his racing style, we’re hoping The Instructor can pinch a length or two when the whips are cracking.

• 1
  

  THE INSTRUCTOR

• 3
  

  BRAVE MEAD

• 2
  

  KAIZAD

• 6
  

  KANDINSKY ABSTRACT

Race 2: Group 3 Caulfield Classic (2000m)

It was hard not to be impressed by the way Riff Rocket destroyed his rivals in the Listed Super Impose Stakes. He has a mortgage on Saturday’s Group 3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) on the back of it and can further stamp his VRC Derby (2500m) credentials. He draws barrier one once again under James McDonald where the pair can stalk the lead throughout. There are no prizes tipping a -200 chance, but Riff Rocket should just be a class above this lot.

• 2
  

  RIFF ROCKET

• 4
  

  GOLD BULLION

• 5
  

  SUNSETS

• 1
  

  SUNSOURCE

Race 3: Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m)

Having claimed the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) in grand style last time out, Tropical Squall is the logical on top selection in the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m). Adam Hyeronimus comes down to continue his affiliation with the Prized Icon filly. From barrier 12, the filly will hunt for the rail from the outset where she can then dictate terms throughout. There does not look to be any other speed influences in the event and under a well-rated ride, Tropical Squall should just be winning.

• 1
  

  TROPICAL SQUALL

• 5
  

  KONASANA

• 4
  

  AUTUMN ANGEL

• 8
  

  WINGS OF SONG

Race 4: Listed Gothic Stakes (1200m)

One of our better bets of the day comes up in the Listed Gothic Stakes (1200m) as Facile looks to build on her maiden win at Warwick Farm on October 2. She was competitive in much harder races than this during her juvenile campaign and on the back of a confidence boosting win, Facile looks a smart play in the Gothic. She has already placed in Group 2 company on two occasions and under Damian Lane, Facile should assert her dominance on her rivals over the final 200m.

• 8
  

  FACILE

• 2
  

  DON CORLEONE

• 1
  

  ARKANSAW KID

• 7
  

  DARK HALO

Race 5: Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m)

The Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) will gives us a good read on the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) next month. Bossy Nic was first-up in the Group 3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) where she couldn’t go with Couer Volante or Inhibitions late, but she can turn the tables on those rivals on the weekend. Her last run as a juvenile in April saw her finish on the heels of Tiz Invincible and Kimochi in Group 2 company to suggest she is a filly worth following. Harry Coffey will need some luck from barrier 10, but with a tow into the race and with race fitness under her belt, Bossy Nic can make a Group 1 statement in the Prelude.

• 2
  

  BOSSY NIC

• 3
  

  COEUR VOLANTE

• 8
  

  INHIBITIONS

• 7
  

  AZULA

Race 6: Group 2 Caulfield Sprint (1000m)

There is little hiding the fact that General Beau loves Caulfield and he can continue his strong record at the track in the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint (1000m). He has become a non-winner in recent time, having not won in over two years, but that is seemingly the case for a few of his rivals. He draws barrier one under Damian Lane and considering two of his four career wins have come when first-up, we expect a bold showing. General Beau has a 6kg weight advantage on Lofty Strike and draws much better than Spacewalk in the small field. With even luck, General Beau can bounce back to form on Saturday.

• 4
  

  GENERAL BEAU

• 6
  

  SPACEWALK

• 1
  

  LOFTY STRIKE

• 5
  

  MIDWEST

Race 7: Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m)

The quaddie kicks off with the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) where the Mark Walker-trained Skew Wiff looks awfully hard to go past. The Kiwi mare was meant to resume in the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) at Flemington, before being a late scratching at the barriers. She went back to the jumpouts since that day and considering her last race day start came when winning the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at weight-for-age level in New Zealand, suggests she brings the right form lines into the Tristarc. Opie Bosson will use barrier two to his advantage and stalk the lead throughout. When asked to quicken, we expect Skew Wiff to put the race away in a couple of strides and we are getting a nice price to find out if she can.

• 2
  

  SKEW WIFF

• 4
  

  SHUFFLE DANCER

• 1
  

  MADAME POMMERY

• 8
  

  C’EST MAGIQUE

Race 8: Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m)

Buffalo River is on the quick back-up after finishing fourth in the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m) on October 14 and looks hard to beat on Saturday. He was made to work for the first 600m of the race to find the lead and it tolled late with Ayrton and Stageman overhauling him inside the final 100m. He stuck on nicely to go down by a length in the end. The seven-year-old was a determined winner of the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1400m) the start prior and with three wins and three minor placings to his name at the track and trip suggests he is right in a race like this. With an uncontested lead expected, Celine Gaudray can run the race as she likes and with a bit of luck Buffalo River can make all.

• 3
  

  BUFFALO RIVER

• 8
  

  ALTIVO

• 10
  

  NUNTHORPE

• 11
  

  CLIMBING STAR

Race 9: Group 1 Caulfield Cup (1600M)

The Caulfield Cup is one of the most prestigious races in Australia and the field for the 2023 edition is one of the more even fields we have seen in some time. Gold Trip will be looking to go one better in the race he finished second in last year, while Without A Fight and Soulcombe lead the chasing brigade in terms of the local brigade. A strong international contingent are set to compete for the $5 million on offer with Joseph O’Brien’s Okita Soushi and Valiant King joined by Simon & Ed Crisford’s West Wind Blows.

Click here for our full preview of the 2023 Group 1 Caulfield Cup

Race 10: Listed Alinghi Stakes (1100m)

We have to wait for the final race of the day for our best bet as Viviane looks to build on her picket fence. Mathew Ellerton’s mare has strung together five straight wins and looks to have been well-placed by the stable once again. From barrier eight, Damian Lane looks set to land the one-one spot upon settling and from there can stalk the speed throughout. A mare in form is always a strong reference to abide by and in this case it is the right one. Viviane deserves black-type success and she should get it on Saturday.

• 5
  

  VIVIANE

• 6
  

  HYPOTHETICAL

• 11
  

  GHAANATI

• 10
  

  LEMPICKA