3 minute read
Saturday's Caulfield meeting will have a huge bearing on Caulfield and Melbourne Cups betting with the top seven horses in latest markets nominated for key lead-up races.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The second favourite December Draw will contest the $125,000 Naturalism Stakes (2000m).
The Mark Kavanagh-trained import needs to win that Group 3 event to secure his place in the Caulfield Cup, for which he is TAB Sportsbet's $8 favourite.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Scarlett Lady, Underwood Stakes nomination Glass Harmonium, Shamrocker, Lights Of Heaven and Absolutely are all in the top bracket of Caulfield Cup markets.
It is shaping as a vintage Underwood Stakes as past winner Heart Of Dreams is entered along with Cox Plate contender Playing God, Chelmsford Stakes winner Trusting and talented staying pair Precedence and Midas Touch.
Efficient, the 2007 Melbourne Cup champion, is also slated to have his first run since winning the 2009 Turnbull Stakes.
Midas Touch is one of six Robert Hickmott-trained entries in the Naturalism, which carries a prized ballot exemption from the Caulfield Cup.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Imports Alandi, At First Sight, Bright Horizon and Green Moon join Zabeel gelding Base as Hickmott's other Naturalism entries.
Champion jumper Black And Bent, last Saturday's Moonee Valley winner Carnero, Perth Cup victor Guest Wing, last year's Caulfield Cup runner-up Harris Tweed, the Gai Waterhouse-trained G1 winners Herculian Prince and Once Were Wild and VRC St Leger winner Right Of Refusal are also entered for the Naturalism.
Leading candidates for the G1 Thousand Guineas will continue towards the $500,000 fillies classic in the $125,000 Thousand Guineas Prelude.
Mosheen, Hallowell Belle, Celebrity Girl and Kneeling are among the leading fillies nominated.
