3 minute read

There are no fewer than 12 meetings for punters to get stuck into on Saturday, including at Caulfield where there are three Group races on a high-quality card.

They also race at Belmont, Cairns, Doomben, Gold Coast, Katherine, Kembla Grange, Morphettville, Narrandera, Rosehill, Toowoomba and Warracknabeal.

Race 8 Caulfield
Munhamek @ 6.50

Race 5 Caulfield
Blue Stratum @ 4.40

Race 6 Rosehill
Tarpaulin @ 3.20

Munhamek to take P.B. Lawrence win

The Jewellers P.B. Lawrence Stakes is the feature race of the day with a field of 11 declared for the Group 2 1400m contest.

Jockey Blake Shinn boasts a 31% strike-rate (12/39) in the last 30 days and his mount Pericles is expected to jump as favourite, having shown good form at the top-level last prep.

The five-year-old placed in both the Silver Eagle and the Golden Eagle last season and showed improvement runner-up in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield second up.

Trained by James Cummings, he ended his last prep with a good second when jumping at $41 for the Doncaster Mile over 1600m at Randwick in April.

The son of Street Boss has had a couple of trials ahead of his return to action, however he may prove vulnerable racing first up this prep.

Nick Ryan's veteran MUNHAMEK is the selection here and, while he finished behind Pericles in both the Futurity Stakes and the C.F. Orr Stakes earlier this year, he arrives here in great form.

The son of Dark Angel came from off the pace to deliver a length victory when contesting the 1600m bet365 Swan Hill Cup over 1600m at Swan Hill in June.

The 6.50 pick followed that effort up with a metro success in The David Bourke Handicap over 1620m at Flemington just under two weeks later.

Both of those efforts came on the good 4 surface forecast here and he again encountered a good 4 track when saluting by nearly two lengths over 1600m at Flemington early last month.

That latest effort came in the Listed VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series Final, a Listed event, and while he steps up in grade here, he is taken to continue his winning run.

Stratum to claim Group 3 victory

Earlier on the Caulfield card the 1100m Group 3 Ive > Vain Stakes for three-year-olds is set to take place as the fifth race of the day.

Interest Point won his first two starts, including by a narrow margin when contesting a course and distance handicap at the start of June.

The colt raced on a good 4 track that day having made all the running when saluting over 1000m on a soft 5 surface when debuting at Mornington prior.

Michael Dee takes the ride for the first time here, with his mount having lost his unbeaten record when second in a 1000m handicap held on the Hillside track at Sandown on 15th June.

The Tony & Calvin McEvoy team have been in great form of late with their stable boasting a 46% strike-rate (6/13) in the last 30 days.

BLUE STRATUM represents them here and he showed plenty of ability when runner-up in the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate over 1100m down the straight at Flemington on debut.

The colt had a valid excuse when returning home lame, having finished sixth in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview at this venue in January.

The 4.40 youngster was spelled following that effort and he has shown good form in two starts this prep, including when winning by a narrow margin over 1000m at Moonee Valley last week.

The son of Blue Point looks ready for the step back up to Group company with Beau Mertens, on board for both previous triumphs again booked to ride.

The return to a forecast good 4 track shouldn't pose any problems and the pick looks capable of recording his third consecutive victory.

Tarpaulin to bloom in Rosebud bid

The most valuable race on the Rosehill card is the sixth race of the day, the Listed Sydney Markets Rosebud over 1100m.

The James Cummings-trained TARPAULIN takes the eye in this contest, having registered wins in two of his four starts to date.

The colt could finish only fourth when contesting a six-runner renewal of the DrinkWise Plate over 1100m at Randwick when debuting in December.

The 3.20 son of Harry Angel was spelled subsequently and he has won both starts since placing second over 1100m at Warwick Farm first up this prep.

The second of those victories saw him salute by two-and-a-half-lengths in an 1100m handicap at Randwick last month, with all three of his starts this time around coming on heavy surfaces.

The soft 5 going didn't appear to be the issue for the pick on debut and arriving here in great form he is selected to record his third consecutive win.

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