This week's headline play is the Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield, with Cosmic Crusader our primary selection at 3 units at top fluctuating odds. Lady Shenandoah heads our Sir Rupert Clarke selections at 1.5 units at $4.80, while Barrengarry is our strongest Traders' Best Bet at 5 units at $1.90 in Randwick Race 2.
From the Trader's Desk is back as we look to tackle two mammoth cards from Caulfield and Randwick. Unlucky last week, let's check out where our traders' money is going this weekend.
Feature Races
Caulfield
Underwood Stakes - Caulfield - 1800m G1
The Memsie is the obvious lead-up to focus on, where Cosmic Crusader was steamed in betting and just given little hope with the run in transit back and wide. His work through the line was more than admirable and I want to find him here out to 1800m in the smaller field from a good draw. He'll be in the right spot and has the sharper turn of foot to run down Lindermann, who comes out of a walking race in Sydney. All favours again for Lindermann but he has to do it in Melbourne.
Birdman really good hitting the line in the Memsie in good sections but the step from 1400m to 1800m may need one more run. Buckaroo loves this race but will be last off a slow speed. Cosmic Crusader for me and will bet late expecting a drift.
Cosmic Crusader @ Top Fluc (3 Units)
Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes - Caulfield - 1400m G1
Great race. Lady Shenandoah looks a more than fair price and happy to be on. Out of the good form race first up and settles in the right spot here with the good jock. Regal Award trialling nicely and attracting smart money. Angel Capital is a cat so this is probably a race he bobs up in, but just cannot have. Evaporate with a tough draw. Feroce was the other horse that mapped to win. Surged again through the line first up and just had the tick-over trial since. Will get better than 20s I think on the day, which I'll have something on.
Lady Shenandoah @ $4.80 (1.5 Units)
Feroce @ $21+ (0.2 Units)
Randwick
Tea Rose Stakes - Randwick - 1400m G2 - 3YO Fillies
Been with Bangkok Hottie right the way through and I think her win in the Furious did all honours. Sat outside the lead and still too strong on the line, suggesting seven furlongs is no issue. Not sure how Chilly Girl is shorter than her. Gets map favours but has to be a risk at 1400m. Striking Alibi I'm against. Queens Gamble is absolutely airborne. Obviously this is a harder test but love that she's had the 1400m lead-ups and she is the different form. Sumac not a 100s chance, only getting warm late first up in a slowly run race. Global Goal could very well be the Flight winner but this is a tune-up for the grand final. If she wins here, she starts very short in two weeks' time. Making a book here with Bangkok Hottie, Queens Gamble and Sumac.
Bangkok Hottie @ $5.00 (1.3 Units)
Queens Gamble @ $8.00 (0.7 Units)
Sumac @ $101.00 (0.1 Units)
The Shorts - Randwick - 1100m G2
Looks a nice opportunity for Headwall to return to the winner's stall after a great return chasing Tempted. Momentarily in traffic but great when out, hitting the line with real intent. Drawn a gate to settle that bit closer and think Lloyd will be on his game here. Joliestar and Ninja obviously very capable but where do they get to in the run. Spicy Martini trialled like a jet and may have gone to a new level last preparation. If the race is run to suit, I can see her unleashing down the middle of the track.
Headwall @ $3.50 (2 Units)
Spicy Martini @ $17.00 (0.3 Units)
Traders' Best Bets
Caulfield Race 5 - Blind Raise
Did the job for us a fortnight ago and I think can go on with it. Will roll across from the wide draw and hard to get past.
Caulfield Race 8 - Zahrann and Campaldino
Zahrann excellent on return, wide and just kept charging to the line. Campaldino I thought was a hidden run in Sydney and capable of doing something here if they put him into the race.
Zahrann @ $2.80 (3 Units)
Campaldino @ $13.00 (0.4 Units)
Caulfield Race 10 - Savoyard
Lightly raced gelding with some upside that savaged the line first up. 1100m to 1400m a tougher set-up but loved the trial in the interim and the favourite was disappointing last start.
Randwick Race 2 - Barrengarry
Paraded awful but still too strong first up in a nice return. Can only improve and out to the mile looks too strong for these.
Randwick Race 4 - Unleeshing
Found traffic first up but still had the audacity to pick itself up and finish behind the smart Decorum. Run of race from the draw.
Unleeshing @ $4.00 (1.6 Units)
Running Total: -0.5 Units (Out 91.3 / In 90.8)
Big Bets
Where the money has been going across the weekend's major meetings.
Randwick
| Race | Horse | Bet | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Race 2 No.2 | Barrengarry | $3,600 | $1.85 |
| Race 3 No.7 | Watson | $2,000 | $4.60 |
| Race 4 No.11 | Fundamental Nature | $2,000 | $4.60 |
| Race 7 No.3 | Striking Alibi | $2,000 | $4.20 |
Caulfield
| Race | Horse | Bet | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Race 2 No.1 | Arashi Flash | $2,000 | $3.50 |
| Race 7 No.1 | Lindermann | $5,000 | $2.90 |
| Race 9 No.6 | Lady Shenandoah | $2,000 | $4.80 |
