Races

Deane Lester’s Caulfield Best Bets

Deane Lester’s Best Bets

RACE 1 NO.5 SAM’S IMAGE

SAM’S IMAGE should be fitter for two runs this campaign and looks a strong winning chance when he contests the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m). The four year old showed that is close to his best form with a solid 4th behind CHAUFFEUR over 1100 metres at Flemington on January 12. The John Sadler trained gelding recorded his career best win over this track and distance when taking out the Super VOBIS Gold Dash (1100m) in April 2018. He is drawn for a good run, makes his own luck and should take running down.


RACE 3 NO.2 NAANTALI

NAANTALI has been running into form in recent weeks and looks the one to beat when she runs the Fillies and Mares Benchmark 84 Handicap (1400m). The four year old just raced too keenly in the middle stages of the race before finishing a solid 2nd behind SET TO SPARKLE over 1400 metres at Flemington on January 12. The training partnership of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have tweaked the gear of NAANTALI by applying a tongue tie for this race which may assist the mare in settling better. She has the right formlines for this race, looks drawn for a cheap run and represents the best bet of the day.


RACE 8 NO.10 TIN HAT

The Manfred Stakes (1200m) brings together some of the most promising three year olds in the land, however TIN HAT has a race fitness and form edge which should stand him in good stead for this contest. The son of Helmet is unbeaten in two runs as a gelding including an all-the-way win over 1200 metres at Sandown on January 16. He is likely to push forward here to use his fitness and runs strong sectionals from the front of the field. This race doesn’t look a final target for many of these runners whereas TIN HAT is primed to record his best career win.

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