And just like that, we’ve arrived at the final Group 1 race day of the 2024 Spring Carnival.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
The action continues at Caulfield, where the Group 1 Thousand Guineas and Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes headline a ten-race program also featuring races like the Blue Sapphire and the How Now Stakes.
Read on for all of my Caulfield tips!
Race 1 - 12:20pm: Vale Colin McKenna (1700m)
Sure is third-up and ready to win.
The So You Think gelding was undefeated in two starts during his debut prep and returned to action to finish third, beaten just over a length by Sunsource in a BM70 at Bendigo.
Having only just missed in a similar race at the same track last time, he's fit and the small rise in trip looks to suit.
2 Units Sure
Race 2 - 12:50pm: Schweppes Handicap (1100m)
I'm siding with South Australian raider Deepfloat Diva when he steps out at Caulfield on Saturday.
Having recorded consecutive wins in metro company back in September, the Deep Field gelding left himself too much work in a BM78 at Morphettville two back, but filled the minors behind Sir Sway at his latest.
He's hard fit and the booking of Craig Williams adds confidence.
1 Unit E/W Deepfloat Diva
Race 3 - 1:25pm: Sharp EIT Solutions Handicap (1400m)
Bigolino resumes in a very winnable race on Thousand Guineas Day.
Bigolino made three appearances at the races last time in, only just missing here at Caulfield when resuming and ending his prep an eye-catching winner of a BM74 at Sandown.
He's had the benefit of a couple of trials leading up to this suitable campaign launchpad.
2 Units Bigolino
Race 4 - 2pm: Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1400m)
I'm keen to stick with Coleman in his return to Victoria on Saturday.
Coleman was unlucky not to win a Golden Slipper during a glittering two-year-old preparation and was far from disgraced in a couple of open Group 1 contests at The Valley when resuming this time.
Having finished second behind subsequent Group 1 champion Switzerland in the Roman Consul Stakes before finishing midfield in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, he's hard fit, this is a noticeable drop in class, and the 1400m looks ideal at this point of his preparation.
4 Units Coleman
Race 5 - 2:35pm: Listed Village Stakes (1100m)
I'm happy to give Pharari another chance when she goes around in the Village Stakes.
Pharari returned to action for a dominant win at Sandown back in September, while two starts in Saturday metro company up in Sydney heralded a smart win in BM78 company, and a near miss in another.
She was rather disappointing at Group 3 level at Flemington on Derby Day, but she's fit, this is an easier race, and she's drawn to receive every chance under Damian Lane.
2 Units Pharari
Race 6 - 3:10pm: Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Of Australia Stakes (1200m)
Rich Dottie was a smart winner at The Valley when resuming and this looks a perfect black type target for her.
The Written Tycoon filly broke her maiden on the Heath track here on debut in April and was sent for a break after finishing down the order in Group 2 company.
Having comfortably accounted for them at her first run back, I'm only expecting her to improve.
2 Units Rich Dottie
Race 7 - 3:45pm: Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m)
Aeliana has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence and rates as a clear winning chance in the Thousand Guineas.
Having been freshened after finishing down the order at Warwick Farm in early September, the Castelvecchio filly was sent off at double figures in the Reginald Allen Quality on The Everest Day but proved too strong for her rivals.
Having backed that up with a dominant win in the Carbine Club Stakes on Derby Day, she's hard fit and James McDonald sticks.
3 Units Aeliana
Race 8 - 4:25pm: Victorian County Cups Final (2000m)
Typically, this looms as a wide-open race with several winning chances engaged, but I thought it looked an ideal race for Sunsets.
Sunsets failed to make an impression in the Bendigo Cup last time out, but his form prior to that race was sound, and included placings in both the Murtoa Cup and the Ladbrokes Moe Cup.
He's fit, he's a Group 3 winner over this route previously and gets into it well with only 53kgs in tow.
2 Units E/W Sunsets
Race 9 - 5:05pm: Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m)
This is a great edition of the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, featuring some of the better horses currently in work in Australasia.
Ciaron Maher holds a particularly strong hand in the race, including Another Wil, who I've put on top.
Another Wil has made four appearances at the races this season, winning three times, with the only miss being in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap when regular jockey Jamie Kah was unable to ride.
Kah's return saw a return to winning form in the Group 2 Linlithgow Stakes on Derby Day, and the horse is hard fit ahead of this race – the ideal Group 1 target for him.
2 Units Another Wil
Race 10 - 5:40pm: Group 3 How Now Stakes (1200m)
Niance returned to action to win the Listed Alinghi Stakes here last month and I am confident she'll only improve for that hit-out.
The Swiss Ace mare has won five of nine starts since debuting, finishing the runner up on another occasion and finding form around plenty of above-average horses.
She's a winner at this point of her preparation previously and this looks the next logical target for her.
2 Units Niance
