The International runners hit the track this Satuday on Caulfield Guineas day with 12 quarantined runners and one un-seen import for the Weir stable stepping out on a sensational Caulfield card.
As always, there is a distinct lack of information around detailing the runs of each horse and what to expect, so we have detailed everything you need to know about each international this weekend and what to expect.
You can also read our full preview of every international runner on the Betfair Hub.
Caulfield Race 2 – 1400m – Weekend Hussler Stakes
Comicas – 119 Timeform Rating
Makes his Australian debut for the Charlie Appleby stable with James Doyle onboard. His last four runs were on a dirt track over 1200m and steps up in class here after over 200 days off the track. Last prep over in Dubai he started $3.4, $5, $3 and $2.30 in Listed, Group 3, Group 3 and Group 3 grade and was beaten 6L, won by 1.25L, beaten 4L and beaten 14.3L with EIPH from kickback.
He is really an inconsistent horse but has won over $1,000,000 in prize money so has to be respected. Most importantly, at his best, he rates 119 on Timeform which would be enough to win this race every week.
You can see Here from barrier 2 full blue and Here both from barrier 3 in the full blue that he is a horse that really lacks early speed and could get stuck for a horrible spot in running. If he is to win, he will trade very high in-play due to his nature of having to be worked on throughout and is worthy of an in-play bet if gets to an okay spot in run.
Caulfield Race 5 – 1100m – Keno Stakes
Intelligence Cross – 110 Timeform Rating
Expected to sit midfield. Acts best on soft tracks with just 1 win from 14 on firmer surfaces.
0.1L second behind Fleet Review in listed grade at the Curragh last prep – outside of that run, has been beaten a long way the past 6 runs.
Well below the best of the other two international runners on form and on this track surface condition.
Spirit of Valor – 117 Timeform Rating
Expected to sit just off the speed.
Group 3 favourite last start when third at the Curragh in the Phoenix Stakes. Beaten 1L at the Curragh second up this prep behind Merchant Navy.
Hasn’t won in more than a year and that was over 1400m. Stable are saying this horse is going best of the lot, but i’m not convinced the horse is best kept to 1100m.
Fleet Review – 116 Timeform Rating
Expected to be on speed.
Only 2.5L off US Navy Flag when third in the Group 1 July Cup in… you guessed it, July! You can watch his run in the full black sitting just behind US Navy Flag Here.
Won a listed race before that and has since failed to fire in a Group 1 at Deauville over 1300m
Looks best suited to these sprint distances.
Caulfield Race 7 – 1600m – Toorak Handicap
Jungle Cat – 123 Timeform Rating
Expected to sit just off the speed/midfield
4 starts for 4 wins in 2018 landing two Group 1 wins in a row. Gets the perfect spot again at Caulfield just off the speed most likely staying off the rails to get the horse every hope. Speed will be genuine enough and he has been trained with the intention to stretch out to 1600m. If he gets the distance, the right run as the map suggests and has trained on, he will be very hard to stop!
Lord Langley
Expected to go back from barrier
This horse hasn’t placed or gone close to placing in the past 10 starts. Darren Weir is simply the best…. so you can’t just pen the horse, but in reality you just have to on form.
Caulfield Race 8 – 2000m – Caulfield Stakes
Benbatl – 125 Timeform Rating
Expected to be leading
An on speed runner who got a slot outside the leader in the $6 million 2018 Group 1 Dubai Turf over 1800m when winning and beating home the stablemate Blair House. Went on to win a Group 1 over 2000m in Germany second up this prep and is now fourth up here off a freshen up.A free flowing horse, he is happiest when speed is genuine and he is allowed to roll, not trapped inside of runners. The Barrier 1 is certainly an issue for the horse and you would hope the stable know to keep the horse happy and out the front.
The Cliffsofmoher – 120 Timeform Rating
Expected to get back in running
Won just one of his last 10 races in a Group 2 over the 2000m on a soft track. Just the one win on firmer surfaces in the past and while his third behind the form 2000m horses Roaring Lion and Saxon Warrior last start is great form, he has to take another step up here to get the win. Best career performance is 12 runs back in the Investec Derby beating home superstar Cracksman and he is a much better second up horse than first up.
Blair House – 119 Timeform Rating
Expected to sit midfield
Ran a respectable 118 Timeform Rating when a simply forgive run in the Underwood when the pace was set at benchmark meaning he was well disadvantaged out the back. Furthermore, was disadvantaged on the rail in the straight which wasn’t the place to be. Stable have confirmed with the Stewards that their intention is to be more forward, so even if slow out, you would expect positive tactics to push the horse out. Best on a firm track over these distances. Did beat Benbatl in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta over 1800m last prep when winning the race.
Caulfield Race 10 – 2400m – Herbert Power Stakes
A Prince of Arran – 118 Timeform Rating
Expected to sit back
An out and out stayer who hasn’t seen a distance under 2800m in more than 10 runs. This is a great starting point heading towards a Melbourne Cup run, but he is very much a plodder that acts best over the 2800-3800 distances.
Dal Harraild – 114 Timeform Rating
Expected to sit midfield
Listed grade winner over 2800m a year and a half ago and the only win since was a synthetic 3200m win. Was good in second in the Group 3 Silver Cup at York back in July and is another international runner that is looking for further than the 2400m off a freshen up.
Prize Money – 119 Timeform Rating
Expected to get back
Won the Group 2 City of Gold beating one of the best 2400m horses Postponed in the 2017 edition with a gem of a ride. Two preparations after, he failed to run a race even close to that again, but re-appeared 50 days ago at Windsor and returned his best Timeform figure in a long time in third. On pure ability, if this race is run strongly, he will be coming over the top of them late.
Yucatan – 114 Timeform Rating
*Can be slow out* Has mixed up racing style forward and back – from barrier, expect back.
Winner of the Group 3 International at the Curragh in July over 2000m and ran a respectable third over 2400m in the Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown after that. Acts best on this type of firm surface. Doesn’t appear to be the best horse to come out to Australia and needs to go to go to a new level again over this distance to get the win. Barrier hurts.
Read our full preview of every international runner on the Betfair Hub.
Original content published at www.themailbag.com.au.
