3 minute read

Eight races are scheduled to take place on the Caulfield Heath track this Wednesday.

For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.

The rail is in the true position and racing should be conducted on a Good 4 surface with only a slight chance of showers. 

We've taken a close look at the form and provided our top selections in each race. 

Race 1 - 2:00PM: 2YO Open Handicap (1000 METRES)

Shining Smile (1) has race experience on his side and looks well placed to breakthrough for his first win. 

The Team Hayes-trained colt found the front on debut in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes but was overpowered late to finish a neck second. 

He was stronger second-up when finding the line powerfully in the G3 Maribyrnong Plate when finishing 1.1 lengths third. 

He'll be further improved third-up and the winkers coming off will hopefully relax him better. 

1 Unit – Shining Smile (1)

  BET NOW: Caulfield Heath Race 1  

Race 2 - 2:35PM: 3YO Maiden Plate (1000 METRES)

Aqueduct (1) was very good when debuting last start over 1000m at Mornington. 

The Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained gelding let down strongly on a track that favoured those on speed to finish 0.7L third to Another Dumpling who looks like a horse with considerable talent. 

He'll be better for the experience and while I think he'd like further, he will be finishing off strongly. 

The outside barrier isn't ideal, but we get top jockey Blake Shinn to navigate any trouble. 

1 Unit – Aqueduct (1)

  BET NOW: Caulfield Heath Race 2  

Race 3 - 3:10PM: Maiden Plate (1200 METRES)

Littlebirdie (7) ran well on debut at Pakenham over 1200m in March where she recovered from bounding out of the gates to finish 2.8 lengths third. 

The Busuttin & Young-trained four-year-old was sent to the paddock after that run and looks to have come back this preparation a more furnished mare based on her jump outs. 

In her most recent piece of work, she led before dashing clear under her own steam to win comfortably. 

There doesn't look to be a great deal of speed in the race which should see Daniel Moor be able to cross from out wide and settle in a prominent position. 

1 Unit – Littlebirdie (7)

  BET NOW: Caulfield Heath Race 3  

Race 4 - 3:45PM: 3YO Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200 METRES)

Versaille (9) impressed on debut when winning easily by 1.8 lengths over 1000m at Bendigo. 

The Moody & Coleman camp sent her to the paddock straight after that win and she returned on Melbourne Cup Day where she was 5.5 lengths 11th in the Schweppervescence Plate. 

She showed good speed that day but unfortunately was in the slower section of the track so I'm prepared to give her some grace given her jump outs leading into that first-up run were excellent. 

She maps to get a sweet run from the inside barrier. 

1 Unit Each Way – Versaille (9)

  BET NOW: Caulfield Heath Race 4  

Race 5 - 4:20PM: Benchmark 70 Handicap (1800 METRES)

Hooah Havana (2) looks ready to win following a solid but unlucky effort in a stronger race at Flemington last start. 

The Lindsey Smith-trained gelding was held up in the Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final but worked home strongly once clear to finish 1.5 lengths sixth. 

The start prior he stormed home over 1400m at Bendigo to finish a length second to Yellow Sam. 

While he's never raced over 1800m, the way he finds the line suggests he'll have no issue. 

1 Unit – Hooah Havana (2)

  BET NOW: Caulfield Heath Race 5  

Race 6 - 4:55PM: Fillies & Mares Benchmark 70 Handicap (1500 METRES)

Changing Colours (8) won over 1454m at Kyneton on debut before going for a break. 

The Chris Walller-trained daughter of The Autumn Sun returned over 1300m at Bendigo where she settled near the back after drawing wide before savaging the line to finish a neck second. 

Last start she recorded the quickest final 200m of the race at Ballarat but just couldn't catch Bon Mistress who franked the form by impressively winning on VRC Oaks Day. 

She'll strip fitter third-up and the ear muffs coming off is a plus. 

2 Units – Changing Colours (8)

  BET NOW: Caulfield Heath Race 6  

Race 7 - 5:30PM: Benchmark 64 Handicap (1500 METRES)

San Marino (4) was unlucky last start in the Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final when held up behind the leaders and finishing 2.9 lengths 11th. 

The John Leek Jnr-trained gelding will appreciate the big drop in class as well as the drop back to 1500m. 

Two starts back he put up a terrific fight to finish a nose second in a stronger race over 1400m at Sale. 

He won in this class three starts ago when easily putting away his rivals at Pakenham. 

Daniel Stackhouse knows him well and will give him every chance. 

1 Unit Each Way – San Marino (4)

  BET NOW: Caulfield Heath Race 7  

Race 8 - 6:05PM: Benchmark 70 Handicap (1200 METRES)

Nova Lights (12) has been racing in great form this preparation and looks primed for a fourth-up peak performance. 

The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained mare returned in good order three starts back when finishing just under a length fourth at Geelong despite being in the slower section of the track. 

She backed that stellar effort up with a strong win two starts back at Mornington over this distance. 

While she had a beautiful run that day, last start she endured a torrid run three-deep the trip but still fought bravely to finish 1.1 lengths third at The Valley. 

Ben Melham replaces the apprentices and should give her a great run from a prominent position. 

1 Unit – Nova Lights (12)

  BET NOW: Caulfield Heath Race 8