Caulfield Cup Day race-by-race preview | October 19, 2024

Race 1: 3YO Open (1400m)

Sugar Coat was only bettered by the classy Ndola in a small field at Sandown on September 28, and a similar effort on Saturday should see the son of Exceedance bring up a third win at start four. The three-year-old gelding will likely roll forward from barrier 11 under Luke Nolen, and with Catoggio likely to lead the field up, Sugar Coat can apply the pressure as the turn for home and hopefully prove too hard to run down this time around.

• 1
  

  SUGAR COAT

• 2
  

  GETAFIX

• 11
  

  TAKEN

• 4
  

  CATOGGIO

Race 2: Listed Gothic Stakes (1200m)

Reserve Bank went huge in defeat when chasing home First Settler in the Danehill Stakes (1100m) by the barest of margins. The three-year-old colt steps up to the 1200m for the first time on the weekend, but based on what he has shown in his two runs this campaign, it looks ideal for the son of Capitalist. Luke Currie will need a touch of luck to land one off the rail from barrier eight, but if afforded that luxury, Reserve Bank looks to be the best horse in the race.

• 6
  

  RESERVE BANK

• 3
  

  ALDOlFITO

• 4
  

  TARPAULIN

• 7
  

  GALLANT SON

Race 3: Group 3 Caulfield Classic (2000m)

Politely Dun brought up an overdue maiden victory at Ballarat last time out, and as he steps up in class in the Group 3 Caulfield Classic (2000m), he poses a strong threat to the market fancies. Having run on with intent throughout his career, the son of Dundeel simply didn’t know how to put a race away, but with a confidence boosting win under the belt, there is no reason why he cannot go on with the job here. Joao Moreira hops on, and if the pair can gain a slipstream into the race when the whips are cracking, Politely Dun will take some holding out.

• 3
  

  POLITELY DUN

• 1
  

  KEENELAND

• 2
  

  RED ACES

• 5
  

  SCARY

Race 4: Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m)

Femminile caught the eye when running on strongly against the boys in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) last time out, and she comes to Caulfield against her own sex, she shapes as key chance in the Ethereal Stakes. Barrier one is a touch concerning for a filly who wants to settle towards the rear of the field, but in the field of 10, it should not be any issue. The Dundeel filly is screaming out for the 2000m at this stage of her campaign, and with even luck, Femminile will take some beating.

• 3
  

  FEMMINILE

• 4
  

  HURRY CURRY

• 1
  

  TOO DARN DISCREET

• 5
  

  KILLCARE BEACHGIRL

Race 5: Listed Alinghi Stakes (1100m)

Passeggiata ran a bottler on return at Moonee Valley after settling a mile off the pace by her standards before charging through the line nicely to be beaten 1.4 lengths. As a natural front-runner the performance reads even better, but drawn barrier two under Tim Clark, it should be handlebars down for the Winning Rupert mare in the Alinghi Stakes. With the best front-running jockey in the saddle, and the ability to hold a high-cruising speed, Passeggiata should prove too slick.

• 5
  

  PASSEGGIATA

• 8
  

  ISTHMUS

• 10
  

  NIANCE

• 1
  

  GUMDROPS

Race 6: Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m)

Matisse has placed on two occasions from three starts at Caulfield, and if we get a fair track on Saturday, she can cause a minor upset in the Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m). The three-year-old filly was strong through the line upon return at Moonee Valley over 1200m, and now stepping up to the 1400m, should see the Microphone filly produce her best. Matisse is armed with a strong turn of foot when ridden cold, and if she gets a genuine tempo to chase, look for her to be storming home late.

• 5
  

  MATISSE

• 3
  

  GEEGEES MISTRUTH

• 2
  

  TOBEORNOTTOBE

• 1
  

  AMEENA

Race 7: Group 2 Caulfield Sprint (1000m)

The quaddie kicks off with the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint (1000m), and if Katsu is anywhere near his best fresh from a spell, he can run away with the prize. The five-year-old gelding will appreciate the sting out of the surface, and considering he has three wins from first-up runs, it is easy to see he does not take long to come to hand. Jordan Childs will look to lead from barrier two, and if the pair can cross race favourite Estriella, Katsu has traditionally proven hard to get past.

• 5
  

  KATSU

• 1
  

  ESTRIELLA

• 6
  

  SANS DOUTE

• 8
  

  REY MAGNERIO

Race 8: Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m)

Seonee is simply the wrong price in the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m). The six-year-old mare has three wins and a second from five second-up runs, and boasts six wins and a second from seven attempts at 1400m. The Winning Rupert mare claimed Group 2 success towards the end of last campaign, so there is no doubt she is up to the level, and with even luck from barrier 16, the $31 on offer with horse racing bookmakers will look to be the wrong price at one stage or another.

• 5
  

  SEONEE

• 4
  

  SKYBIRD

• 2
  

  REVOLUTIONARY MISS

• 14
  

  PLENTY OF AMMO

Race 9: Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m)

The 147th edition of the Caulfield Cup has attracted quite an even field for the first of the three major spring races in Victoria. Can Chris Waller claim a third Caulfield Cup in five years with race favourite Buckaroo? Or can his old sparring partners in Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, Ciaron Maher or James Cummings spoil the party?

Click here for our full preview of the 2024 Caulfield Cup

Race 10: Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m)

Aegon put in a stinker in Group 1 company last time out, but with a freshen-up, he poses as a great each-way play in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m). Despite being well held in the Memsie Stakes behind Pericles and Gentleman Roy, the son of So You Think ran a brilliant fourth, beaten less than a length behind the pair the start prior over 1400m. He will appreciate any rain that may fall and with even luck in running, he can added another Moonga success to his record after claiming this race in 2022..

• 13
  

  AEGON

• 2
  

  GENTLEMAN ROY

• 1
  

  PINSTRIPED

• 8
  

  RIPCORD