Races

Deane Lester’s Caulfield Best Bets

RACE 5 NO.5 SILHOUETTE

SILHOUETTE is shaping up well for next month’s Kennedy VRC Oaks (2500m) and looks a great each way chance when she contests the Ethereal Stakes (2000m). The daughter of Teofilo looked quite unlucky when finishing 5th behind THERMOSPHERE in the Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on October 3. She races as though she will relish the extra distance, looks drawn for a good run and may have more strength than her rivals at the end of this race. This is a very even field but every year this race sorts out those strong enough to go onto the Oaks and SILHOUETTE can prove equal to the task at nice odds.


RACE 6 NO.2 CALIFORNIA ZIMBOL

The Alinghi Stakes (1100m) looks a clash between the talented Sydney mares CALIFORNIA ZIMBOL and FITOUSE, however CALIFORNIA ZIMBOL gets the nod for a couple of significant reasons. The Peter and Paul Snowden trained mare boasts a victory over dual Group One winner LOVING GABY at Caulfield last year which is an outstanding form reference. Also, she has had three previous second-up runs for two wins and a second placing, the most recent of those was an emphatic win over the highly talented DAWN PASSAGE in the Darby Munro Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on March 21. She has good tactical speed and handles soft ground well, the only negative would be if the track went into the genuine heavy range.


RACE 7 NO.6 ALFA ORO

ALFA ORO faces his toughest test when he contests the Caulfield Sprint (1100m) however he has won his past five starts and can continue on his winning way. The five year old was dominant in winning over 955 metres at The Valley on September 25 in preparation for this race. His record currently stands at six wins and two seconds from 8 career starts, and has the ability to handle all conditions but excels on wet ground. He has good tactical speed to make his own luck, dominate this race and represents the best bet of the day.

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