Caulfield Review – All Star Mile

Caulfield Meeting Review

Date: 16/03/24

Track: Good 4

Rail: 6m

Race 1: Victoria Gold Cup – 2000m

Tempo: Very slow in the middle stages.

Race Overview: Big margin to 4^th but overall time was slow and last 200m sectional was only fair. Huge concerns for the horses 4^th-7^th.

Gear Up ($15) – Blessed by the tempo. Big starting price says it all. Happy Birthday to Gear Up!

Mankayan ($4.80) – Going well and camp can get them to improve through the prep. Probably not giving up on him.

Carini ($1.75) – A lot of speed maps had him leading but probably stepped a little slow then D.Lane never looked like he wanted to take it up. Probably wins if he leads but the fact he couldn’t even run these down makes me think his ceiling is lower than I originally thought.

Last Word: Steering clear of this race.

CARINI  wins if he leads.

Race 2: Gold Reef – 1600m

Tempo: Went very slow to the 600m.

Race Overview: Overall time was slow and last section not much chop. Race has rated poorly.

Fistsoffury ($2.80) – Brought the Another Wil formline into the race and mapped perfectly. Got away with it here but has beaten a bad bunch.

Socks Nation ($3.50) – Been up a while and has reached her ceiling this time. Needs a spell.

Inexorable ($5.50) – Specked in betting and probably the only horse I could take out of the race given it is still eligible for a maiden.

Last Word: Inexorable only out of this.

FISTSOFFURY  best of a bad bunch.

Race 3: BM (70) – 1200m

Tempo: Very solid tempo.

Race Overview: Separation of the field and overall time was good. Race has gone solid.

Wolfy ($6.5) – Was completely unsuited last start on a biased track. Down in grade and on a fairer track. Nice win.

Furious ($6) – Great return. Will be better suited at 1400m.

White Bear ($2.05) – My best bet on the card was initially disappointing but looking at the way the race was run was probably forgivable. Market loved it and I’m not giving up on it just yet.

Last Word: Happy to follow the first 3 home.

WHITE BEAR  was my best bet.

Race 4: Gold Comet – 1000m

Tempo: Little slow for the class to the 600m.

Race Overview: Sprinted home but the race lacked margins. Time only fair.

Lempicka ($5) – A horse that I have never been able to get a handle on. This was a career-best first up but I’m happy to continue to avoid as it probably has to go up in class now.

Perilous Fighter ($31) – Ran well completely out of its class but its presence in the finish puts the slows on the race.

General Beau ($3.8) – Did enough first up… just.

Last Word: Not sold.

LEMPICKA  I can’t get a handle on it.

Race 5: Anniversary Vase – 1600m

Tempo: Very slow to the 600.

Race Overview: Sprint home and no margins. Race hasn’t gone well but the winner is a very good horse.

First Immortal (4.80) –  Love how close it can sit over 1600m for a stayer. Got the job done here, race didn’t rate well but this is a serious horse. Follow him.

Last Word: Only horse I want is First Immortal.

FIRST IMMORTAL  worth a follow.

Race 6: Redoute’s Choice Stakes – 1100m

Tempo: Went quick early.

Race Overview: They went quick and kept going. Race has rated well.

Bold Bastille ($1.5) – Serious filly. Love that they are picking off the low hanging fruit this campaign. Gives her a chance to come back a 3yo. G1 ability.

Immortal Star ($6) – Strong through the line like she was the start before. Nice horse.

Last Word: Bold Bastille is good.

BOLD BASTILLE  nice horse

 Race 7: The Mystic Journey – 1200m

Tempo: Went out fast.

Race Overview: Although they went out fast they still came home well. Absolutely flown.

Waltz On By ($6) – I thought she ran well first up then she goes out and goes whack! Sangster in Adelaide anyone?

Lady Jones ($8) – Massive first up figure. Have to follow.

Peace Treaty ($2) – Very disappointing compared to the market expectation but was outside the lead on a hot tempo first up. Forgivable but a bit plain.

Last Word: Follow everything out of this!

LADY JONES  massive first up.

Race 8: All Star Mile – 1600m

Tempo: Fast.

Race Overview: Went out hard and the leader kept going.

Pride Of Jenni ($3.8) – She has done bigger figures in her career but went good. The market has finally acknowledged she is the real deal. Great ride and great for racing.

Mr Brightside ($2) – Multiple lengths below his best and he is never going to produce his best when the races are run like that. Good platform for the Australian Cup and I thought Willo’s ride was the best he could do in the situation.

Last Word: The All Star Mile is on life support.

PRIDE OF JENNI  is the Real Deal.

Race 9: BM (80) – 1600m

Tempo: Inside standard to the 600m

Race Overview: Bunch on plodders in a race that shouldn’t be run on All Star Mile day.

Sir Atlas ($2.80) – Tragedy beat.

Last Word: Junk race. Get rid of it.

Race 10: Bel Esprit Stakes – 1200m

Tempo: Moderate early.

Race Overview: Ran home well enough for the race to rate a length better than standard.

Brudenell ($5) – Solid run in the Oakleigh Plate and was dropping in grade. Solid win by a horse who puts himself in the right place.

Maharba ($8.50) – Game in the finish. Going well.

Rey Magnerio ($3.50) – Only got going late. Definitely had some carrots left as they crossed the line. Stronger jockey would be nice.

Last Word: This is their level for now bar maybe Rey.

Horses to Follow:

• Furious
• White Bear
• First Immortal
• Bold Bastille
• Immortal Star
• Waltz On By
• Lady Jones