Saturday Racing Tips - Caulfield Racecourse 08/07/23

Racing returns to Caulfield Racecourse for Sir John Monash Stakes Day after an outstanding meeting here a couple weeks ago and we should see some of the most prominent Victorian stables in addition to some outer state stables putting forward runners who look well placed in these competitive fields. The feature of the day is the listed Sir John Monash Stakes which will be run in race 8 over the 1100m in WFA conditions. I have outlined my best betting spots on the card so follow me below for another exciting day of racing at Caulfield!

(Note: Odds provided by Playup)

Selections:
#1 - Links (BEST BET)  - $5.00
#2 - Sensical - $4.60
#3 - Pure Paradise - $7.50
#14 - Spicy Margs - $6.50

BEST BET - #1 - Links (BEST BET) 
I am pretty keen on Links in the opener here and he is a horse I generally have a lot of time for. This Maher and Eustace trained juvenile has had just the two career starts, both on the Sandown Hillside course over the 1000m and it didn’t take very long to get going when doing good work out wide on debut to clock a fast time and finish midfield. He then raced at the course again three weeks ago when joining the lead at the 200m and strongly edge the rest of the field out. He looks set for longer off the back of that and the extra 100m is a safe step up in distance. After the claim from Cartwright he gets in light again and should only go well.

THE DANGER - #2 - Sensical 
Sensical is a good thing going for Peter Moody who is likely the class horse of this field and can resume with a big hit here. She had a solid debut prep back in Autumn last year with three runs that saw her race in the Blue Diamond behind little brose most notably when chasing well out wide even though she wasn’t in the race. She has looked sharp in a recent Pakenham Jumpout and I think as long as 1100m isn’t too short she runs well here.

VALUE BET  - #3 - Pure Paradise 
You can only go by the runs that Pure Paradise has had so far but based on those you would have to think she returns in decent order for Lloyd Kennewell here. She had two runs in Spring to kick off her career. Her debut effort saw her finish a close second placing to King’s Gambit before racing in the Magic Millions at Ballarat where she again finished second, this time to the hard fit / in form Sunsource. She moved along very well in a recent jumpout and I think, based off last prep, fresh legs are no issue for her. Go well.

Selections:
#6 - So Sleek (NEXT BEST) - $3.60
#4 - Artzino - $3.40
#2 - Tokenist  - $7.50
#7 - Makalu  - $19.00

BEST BET - #6 - So Sleek (NEXT BEST) 
This is going to be a close run race between the top two picks whose last two runs have both been in almost identical time but I am just giving the edge to So Sleek who gets the weight swing on the second favourite and who I also think has just a touch more upside. He shed the maiden tag two back in the Heavy over the mile at Bendigo in fine fashion before racing at the 2000m at Flemington a few weeks back where he came on strong late to finish just behind First Immortal, who we all know what she is capable of from last week. I think she’s been saved for this race and will be strong here.

THE DANGER - #4 - Artzino
Artzino has hardly put a foot wrong in two runs for the Price and Kent Jr stable this time in and gets another honest chance to go over third up now. He raced last time out in the same Flemington race as the aforementioned So Sleek where he got a shocking ride from Pinn who had him get tired late in the run due to an early move he made on Artzino that saw him ask for effort far too early. He has plenty of upside still to offer third up, will be fit and better for the run at this trip and gets veteran Mertens aboard. Lots to like.

VALUE BET  - #7 - Makalu 
Makalu looks to have found a nice patch of form and can go on with it now stepping up to this level of competition. She is having her first prep for Liam Howley this time in and after a first up run to get warm she saluted well on the Pakenham Synthetic over the mile to make it two wins in seven starts before stepping up to this distance range at Mornington on a Heavy track when finishing a head behind Bors last time out. She gets her toe back above the ground which I like, hard fit and with the claim from Campbell she comes into this with just 53kg on her back, surely runs well.

Selections:
#13 - Sigh - $5.00
#2 - Malkovich - $7.00
#8 - Katsu (ROUGHIE OF THE DAY) - $8.50
#4 - Regardsmaree - $51.00

BEST BET - #13 - Sigh
We took an early look at the Moody superstar Sigh a couple weeks ago and I haven’t really changed my mind too much about this prospect. She’s got two wins from two runs since resuming off of a 19 week spell which has extended her overall record to five wins and a second placing in just eight starts. Both the runs have come on the Flemington straight and both have been impressive. She handles a bend, 1100m is no issue and you have to just back the way she keeps finding the line. Keen on her chances in quite an open edition of this race.

THE DANGER - #2 - Malkovich
Malkovich should be good to go now for the Baker stable. He’s had just the three runs since the end of April when winning the Hawkesbury Rush before racing well in the ORTENSIA stakes and then having his most recent run in the Lightning at Eagle Farm where he did well to sustain a hot speed but eventually tired late and was overrun. He is fit enough now to be able to sit on the speed and do his own thing to not be overrun and a win wouldn’t shock, I’m just not the biggest fan of him personally.

VALUE BET - #8 - Katsu (ROUGHIE OF THE DAY)

Katsu is an absolute belter horse for the Begg stable who has only been out of the placings in two career starts and has won half her career starts already. She came to this track over the 1000m last time out just over two weeks ago where she was great in her Caulfield debut, setting 2nd in the run and starting a powerful run on the bend but just couldn’t get there on the smart winner in Flying on a Limb. He looks well prepared for the rise in trip 100m now and staying at the course and I think he is a good chance of taking this out.

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Avdulla has found great form this year with a near 50% place rate and near 20% strike rate. He has been super consistent in NSW and that has been recognised to a large extent by the bookings that he has been getting. He gets a top selection of rides for some prominent stables such as James Cummings and Chris Waller and I think he is a top shot to pick up at least one win on Saturday at Caulfield.

R2 - #2 - Cylinder - $3.80
R5 - #12 - Kokoro  - $7.00
R6 - #6 - Roots  - $7.50
R8 - #5 - Zou Tiger - $9.50
R9 - #3 - Welwal  - $13.00

Whilst it is scary to tip in some of the bigger field races I think that with it being early in the season and a lot of runners being on resumption that there are some clear top picks in each field and as such I have combined my best runners of the day into a place multi. Whilst it might not be the same level of value we generally get I think that it is a worthwhile bet and has a good chance of coming in.

R1 - #1 - Links - PLC $1.85 
R3 - #6 - So Sleek - PLC $1.60
R8 - #8 - Katsu  - PLC $2.80

Total Odds = $8.30
$50 Stake = $415.00 Return!

Odds provided by PlayUp, sign up for a new account here to get started.

Our experts have curated a bet type information page which delves into all the different types of exotics betting, check it out for clarification on the different types of exotics betting or just to brush up on your knowledge.

Caulfield Racecourse Trifecta Tip (R3)
1st: 6, 4, 2, 7
2nd: 6, 4, 2, 7
3rd: 6, 4, 2, 7

$50 stake = 208% flexi

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