3 minute read

The unofficial Spring starting point with an abundance of group class horses resuming.

Plenty of good racing this week at Caulfield, just two weeks out from the Group 1 Memsie Stakes back here at The Heath. We see some of the better new three-year-olds resume in the Vain and Quezette Stakes, some exciting sprinters in the Regal Roller, and some Group 1 winners in the P.B. Lawrence.

I found it a tough day to steam into one at Caulfield, with this tricky period of the better horses resuming i.e. Mr Brightside in the Lawrence against an up-and-going Group 2-3 horse such as Scallopini with those two heading the market in the feature.

Streets Of Avalon looks overs in that race to me. He was completely unsuited first up in the Bletchingly on a soft 7 track over 1200m, sitting in a tricky spot on the fence with Aysar outside him but leading, which was the inferior ground. I'm happy to forgive that and instead focus on his Caulfield 1400m form which includes two WFA G1 wins.

He showed last preparation that he's still at his best, running consecutive 117's when third in the All Star Mile behind Zaaki & I'm Thunderstruck and second to Ayrton in the Group 3 Victoria Handcap, giving that horse 5kg in weight.

So long as the track isn't too wet, I think he's been majorly overlooked at $17 and I'm hoping he's ridden to lead from the inside gate.

The other bet I'm keenest to have on the day comes up earlier in Race 2 with another horse at odds in Unusual Culture  for Maher & Eustace. She rated a 90+ last start over 1400m when running the fastest last 1000/800/600/400/200m of the race and looks primed to step up to 1600m third up.

She's G3 placed in New Zealand at a mile to subsequent NZ Oaks winner Belle En Rouge which sticks out in a typically even mare's Bm78. She does have the ability to race closer as well so I'm hoping Meech isn't negative out of the gates and leaves her with too much to do.

At $8.00/2.70 she should be in the finish.

MELBOURNE MAIL

Bet of the day: Race 2 #8 Unusual Culture @ $8/2.7

Best value: Race 8 #3 Streets Of Avalon @ $17/4