3 minute read

Caulfield Cup day with a stacked program and plenty of bets to be had.

Keen to bet on Caulfield Cup day and while one of my better bets on the day does come up in the feature, I've previewed that race in full here, so we'll pass over and give the punters a few more.

I couldn't split a few here so we'll run over three bets I want to have, kicking off in the opener where Catoggio can measure up off a strong maiden win at Geelong in good time.

He ran to 90 on the RAS ratings scale there which isn't far off what some of these have been doing in better company where I think they've been given more opportunity to rate higher and haven't.

Catoggio has always promised talent and now as a gelding he's come back better. The time fresh was excellent, the fastest of the day, around 2.5 lengths faster than the BM64 over the same trip one race later, and the big advantage here is the map.

He'll land straight in front with a few rivals drawn awkwardly and I can mark him close to equal favourite here, with the $8.50 on offer looking very enticing.

We'll make him the value play and move on to the 'next best' where I'll be backing Scary to turn the tables on a few rivals in the Caulfield Classic. He was given a negative steer at Flemington off a slow tempo and loomed up as the winner but the horses on speed just had it too easy.

The query is here if they go back again but he looks the real stayer of the group and if they do decide to go forward, I think he can win and go into the Derby as favourite.

Onto the best of the day where Skybird looks primed third-up in the Tristarc, finally drawing a barrier after two enormous runs this time in.

She's been given ridiculously negative rides at both runs and the sectionals say she could easily be 2/2, especially last start against a few of these when left with plenty to do from the wide gate.

Now she draws in and if she can just land midfield, she gets every chance to stake her Empire Rose claim.

The Melbourne Mail

Bet of the day: Race 8 #4 Skybird at $4.60

Next best: Race 3 #5 Scary at $6.50

Each-way play: Race 1 #4 Catoggio at $8.50/2.50