Deane Lester’s Caulfield Best Bets

Posted on December 24, 2020December 24, 2020 | Posted by Deane Lester

RACE 1 NO.1 RANVEER

The 2YO Handicap (1200m) looks an interesting race with a host of first starter, however they will need to be above average to defeat RANVEER. The son of Winning Rupert ran a solid debut 2nd behind PROFITEER over 1100 metres at Flemington on December 12. That has been the highest rating two year old race in Melbourne this season so that looks the right formline to find the winner of this race. Trainer Matt Laurie always has a strong winning strike rate with his team, however he has gone to new levels of late with five wins and a second placing from his past six runners. The run of success should continue with RANVEER who appeals as one of the better bets of the day.

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RACE 3 NO.3 AYRTON

AYRTON looks an exciting prospect for the Mick Price/ Michael Kent Jr stable that can maintain his unbeaten record when he contests the 3YO Benchmark 70 Handicap (1400m). The son of Iffraaj created a big impression winning on debut in fast time over 1300 metres at Bendigo on December 13. He dominated that race from the front and should be able to do similar in this race. Melbourne’s leading rider Jamie Kah takes the mount and AYRTON should prove hard to beat.

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RACE 7 NO.9 PANDEMIC

The Christmas Stakes (1200m) is one of the feature sprints of summer racing in Melbourne and the James Cummings trained PANDEMIC looks a strong winning chance. The four year old has won four of his 10 starts to date including a strong win over 1100 metres at Rosehill on December 5. The Godolphin team have used these listed class races at Caulfield to great effect in recent years with the development of their progressive sprinters including the likes of TREKKING, CORUSCATE and VIRIDINE successfully coming through these type of races. Champion rider Damien Oliver takes the ride and, whilst PANDEMIC is the omen bet for 2020, he is also the best bet at Caulfield on Boxing Day.

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