Caulfield Preview: Invincible fillies give stallion a gem of a hand

7 min read

Caulfield G1 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond S $1.5 million 1200 metres

Leading stallion I Am Invincible could be the dominant force in the 2-year-old feature with the clash of his unbeaten youngsters Loving Gaby and I Am Immortal.

The former was a hugely impressive debutante for trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace when she justified her favouritism with victory in the G3 Chairman’s S., coming from last to win going away.

By contrast, I Am Immortal has been successful in both his appearances off the front and the only question mark over him is seeing out a strong 1200 metres.

Unbeaten I Am Invincible filly - Loving Gaby

Brooklyn Hustle (Starspangledbanner) took the eye with her win at Moonee Valley and, following a break, got home late for fifth in the G2 Blue Diamond Prelude. The benefit of that race and a gallop at Caulfield will have benefitted her and a fast pace will be ideal.

Lyre (Lonhro) is an improving type and off the back of a Sale maiden success won the Prelude, in which Athiri (Lonhro) finished third to give Godolphin a decent hand.

The G3 Maribyrnong Plate winner Vinicunca (I Am Invincible) enjoyed a break following her Flemington victory and should be fitter for her narrow last-start defeat to Lyre.

Bella Rosa (Snitzel) won the G3 Bumble S. before playing second fiddle behind stablemate Loving Gaby and can’t be dismissed. Catch Me (I Am Invincible) flopped in the Prelude, but had won her previous two runs in stakes company and will wear blinkers for the first time.

Speed merchant hot to handle

Ladbrokes G1 Oakleigh Plate $500,000 1100 metres

The flying Nature Strip (Nicconi) was untested in the G2 Rubiton S. and from the inside gate he looks primed to give a repeat performance.

Now with Chris Waller, the 4-year-old has speed to burn and given his last start was his first for five months he can be expected to strip even fitter on Saturday.

Nature Strip after his win in the G2 Rubiton Stakes

Viddora (I Am Invincible) is proven against the top line sprinters and she has a sound first-up record while Bons Away (Bon Hoffa) is genuine and a deserved last-start winner after a string of minor placings.

Eduardo (Host {Arg}) was one of the short course finds of the spring when he claimed the G2 Caulfield Sprint at only his fifth start. He has trialled well and the only negative around him is a horror gate.

The 3-year-old Encryption (Lonhro) isn’t out of this after taking the eye in the Listed Adams S. He came from well back for third in his first outing since a respectable fifth in the G1 Coolmore Stud S.

Course winner Fell Swoop (Not A Single Doubt) won at Randwick three runs back and has placed in both of his subsequent starts. He may not be quite the force he once was, but he’s racing well enough to collect a minor cheque.

Crack 4YO in the zone

Caulfield G1 Yulong Futurity S $500,000 1400 metres

Another top-flight title awaits Alizee (Sepoy), who has returned from a spell in magnificent fashion.

She opened her campaign with victory in the Listed Summer Classic and then posted a dominant win in the G2 Expressway S.

Alizee

The James Cummings-trained mare, a two-time Group 1 winner of the Flight S. and the Queen of the Turf S., also has experience around Caulfield, having finished third in the G1 Thousand Guineas.

Le Romain (Hard Spun {USA}) is a seasoned campaigner at this level and his resuming effort for second behind Alizee in the Expressway was excellent.

Trainer Kris Lees also has Brave Smash (Jpn) (Tosen Phantom {Jpn}) engaged and he’s in the been there done that category having won this contest in 2018.

Manuel (Commands) is unbeaten in two starts on the course and his gallant win in the G1 Orr S. left his rivals without excuses, although there was a lot to also like about the performance of the runner-up Land Of Plenty (Stratum).

Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}) is a top class and versatile act and can never be discounted while the 3-year-old Ringerdingding (Sebring) should strip fitter for his run for third in the G2 Autumn S.

Aramayo one to follow

Caulfield G2 Heritage Finance Autumn Classic $200,000 1800 metres

Aramayo (Poet’s Voice {GB}) looks primed for a bold showing here now he gets up to a more suitable trip after a decent first-up effort over 1400 metres.

Aramayo

He showed he was a player in top company last preparation when he won the G3 Spring S. and finished runner-up in the G1 Spring Champion S.

Declares War (Declaration Of War {USA}) looks a progressive colt who will be all the better for his last outing while Cossetot (Epaulette) is race fit, coming off a Listed win in the Tasmanian Derby.

Queen to rule over even line-up

Caulfield G2 Ladbrokes Angus Armanasco S $200,000 1400 metres

Queen La Diva (Snippetson) is an honest filly and was a Flemington winner two runs back before picking up black type for Team Hawkes when third in the Listed Tasmanian Guineas.

She looks an each-way chance in this open affair with the unbeaten Street Icon (Street Boss {USA}) another hope following two stylish wins. She has to step up here, but has done everything asked of her and looks up to the challenge.

Futooh (Sebring) was a handy resuming fourth in the G3 Kevin Hayes S. and has a winning second-up record while Princess Jenni (High Chaparral {Ire}) looked good last preparation and won a trial earlier this month.

Avilius all the rage

Caulfield G2 Carlton Draught Peter Young S $200,000 1800 metres

Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) looks set for a lucrative campaign judging by his serious first-up effort to win the G3 Carlyon Cup. The 5-year-old is a major talent and he looks to have this race at his mercy.

Avilius having a splash around

Night’s Watch (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) was a strong third behind Avilius at their last meeting and can bank another cheque here while the extra trip will help the chances of the two-time Group 1 winner Shillelagh (NZ) (Savabeel).

D’Argento (So You Think {NZ}) is a nightmare to follow, but he is talented and worth a look at odds and The Taj Mahal (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is a quality galloper. He has been a first-up player in the past.

A Star set to shine

Caulfield G3 Premier Signs Mannerism S $160,000 1400 metres

I Am A Star (I Am Invincible) is a two-time course and distance winner and she is well-suited to the conditions of this race.

The 5-year-old was a sound third when resuming in the G3 Bellmaine S. and natural improvement should see her hard to roll.

Spanish Reef (Lope De Vega {Ire}) was doing her best work late in that race and she’ll be competitive with a winning second-up record. Teleplay (Written Tycoon) and Jamaican Rain (Manhattan Rain) will both come further into favour if there is any easing of the ground.

I Am A Star

Group 1 performer top choice

Caulfield G3 Zeditave S $160,000 1200 metres

Quality colt Zousain (Zoustar) is clearly the class factor in this race and he looks set to open his preparation in the best possible way.

Zousain

Twice a Group 1 runner-up in the spring, he should be far too good with Tin Hat (Helmet) and Irukandji (Dundeel {NZ}) likely contenders for the minors.

The formeris unbeaten in three outings this preparation while Irukandji has been Group placed, as has Poised To Strike (Akeen Mofeed {GB}) who is progressive and another place chance.

Fresh runner a threat

Caulfield Listed Ladbrokes Mornington Cup Prelude $140,000 2000 metres

Midterm (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) opens a new campaign here and he shouldn’t be under-estimated fresh as a two-time winner off a break.

Jaameh (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) was in grand form during the Melbourne spring carnival and that residual fitness topped off by a recent trial win can make him a player. By contrast, stablemate Sikandarabad (Ire) (Dr Fong {USA}) is race fit and has to be included in multiples.