Not much luck from a small number of bets at Flemington last week but the better horses returning at Saturday's Caulfield meeting means more chances for a profit.
BIG DUKE (CAULFIELD - Race 4 No 1)
Big Duke is likely to be set for longer races in the spring but he's a chance of laying a foundation for a big campaign with a bold first-up run on Saturday. He starts his campaign at a mile and he hit the line well first-up over 1500m at Bendigo when resuming last time in before Darren Weir kept him going in the Sydney Cup in April in a great training performance that pulled in almost $700,000 in stakes in the campaign. He has 61.5kg for his first-up run but I'm expecting the talented six-year-old to hit the line hard in a winnable race fresh.
BET: WIN
ODDS $7 @ Bet365
BLACK HEART BART (Caulfield – Race 7 No 3)
This bloke is simply an outstanding racehorse. There are no frills and he just goes out and competes time and time again, which has resulted in a record of 16 wins from 41 starts and there's no reason he can't improve that record in the PB Lawrence Stakes. He loves racing at Caulfield with the great mare Winx the only to beat him in six runs at the track while a record of eight wins from 13 runs at 1400m can only be described as imposing. Darren Weir will have him fit for a first-up crack in the Lawrence Stakes and he'll be the toughest.
BET: WIN
ODDS $3.10 @ CrownBet
VEGA MAGIC (Caulfield – Race 8 No 1)
Vega Magic won the Goodwood at his only run for the Hayes and Dabernig camp last time in and he's in with a great shot of remaining unbeaten for the stable in the Regal Roller Stakes. He has 60.5kg but he has earned the weight with an outstanding record of 10 wins from 15 starts and his effort to be beaten 1 ½ lengths in the Group I Winterbottom Stakes was one of only two unplaced runs. He has barrier 11 but I'm expecting him to be able to slot in behind the speed early and run home hard to be right in the finish. The good move for the former Japanese horse Brave Smash is a concern but I'm sticking with the proven Group I performer to score first-up on Saturday.
BET: WIN
ODDS $6 @ Unibet
OZI CHOICE (Caulfield – Race 9 No 14)
Ozi Choice can cap a big day for the Weir stable with a win in the last race of the day at Caulfield. His three runs back from a spell have been solid and he'll be at peak fitness for Saturday's assignment. He was beaten less than a length first-up before a steady effort down the straight at Flemington but his effort to finish less than a length from the winner Nozomi after working hard to find the lead early was terrific last time out. I'm expecting Ozi Choice to land in a comfortable spot tracking the speed and he'll be around the mark at the finish of the Caulfield finale.
BET: WIN
ODDS $7 @ Ladbrokes, Luxbet, Bookmaker, CrownBet, Betstar, Unibet.
