3 minute read
The Futurity Stakes is the first of three Group 1 feature races set to be contested at Melbourne's Caulfield Racecourse this Saturday.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
Won by the likes of Ajax, Manikato, Schillaci and All Too Hard during well over 100 years of existence, the Futurity Stakes has always been a 'good horses' race, and a small but quality field will see to join the honour roll in 2024.
Mr Brightside has opened a clear and popular favourite in 2024 Futurity Stakes betting, but he won't have it all his own way with the likes of Pericles and Attrition out to spoil the party.
You can find a comprehensive preview of every galloper engaged below in my 2024 Futurity Stakes Preview.
2024 Futurity Stakes Betting Strategy
Same Race Multi
► No. 1 Mr Brightside (Win)
► No. 2 Pericles (Top 3)
► No. 7 Attrition (Top 3)
1 – Mr Brightside (5)
Mr Brightside is one of Australasia's best gallopers.
He went to another level in 2023, adding multiple Group 1 victories to his CV along with an All-Star Mile, and an agonizingly close second in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate.
Stamped his class once again with an impressive win in the C.F. Orr Stakes a fortnight ago and is a clear standout top pick once more.
2 – Pericles (1)
Was a run short when he failed to go with them in the C.F. Orr Stakes, but Pericles is a horse that has improved noticeably with a run under his belt previously.
One of the better horses in Australia that is yet to strike at the highest level, he won the Group 2 Tramway at this point of his last preparation, while he went to the paddock after only just missing in The Golden Eagle.
Jamie Kah jumps into the saddle the week and the horse strips fitter.
3 – Munhamek (4)
Turned in a career-best performance to send champion hoop Damien Oliver out a winner in the Gold Rush in December, but was outclassed in the C.F. Orr after a freshen-up.
He'll likely improve for that run, but not enough to trouble the likes of Mr Brightside and Pericles.
4 – Dom To Shoot (6)
One of the more interesting gallopers in this 2024 Futurity Stakes field, Perth raider Dom To Shoot might be the unknown entity this week.
Has always had above-average talent and has had success on the east coast previously, winning the Mornington Guineas following a tougher run before Lunar Fox in the 2021 Australian Guineas.
Turned back the clock during this year's Perth summer, placing in the Railway Stakes before producing his best to date to win the Group 1 Northerly, beating home the likes of Zaaki on that occasion.
He hasn't been seen at the races since finishing down the order behind Munhamek and typically, he does require a run or two to find his best. Unlikely to trouble some of these.
5 – Nugget (2)
Nugget has attracted some interest in early Futurity Stakes betting and sits on the fourth line at publish ($9.50).
He failed to win a race in three spring starts, but was last seen finishing off really well for fourth behind Fangirl in the King Charles III Stakes.
Typically, Nugget is a very competitive horse at this point of his preparation, while his chances are further enhanced by the booking of Mark Zahra.
6 – Buffalo River (7)
Buffalo River is as tough as they come, and that was underlined by his second-up performance in the C.F. Orr Stakes when he held on for third, beaten just over a head by Mr Brightside.
The eight-year-old son of Noble Mission has developed a real cult following in recent seasons, and there is no doubt that he is at his best over 1400m at Caulfield.
He's hard fit, will go forward again and make all of his own luck again this week – we know what we'll get for him, but will it be enough to figure in the finish?
7 – Attrition (8)
A Group 1 hero of the recent Spring Carnival, the Futurity Stakes is a perfect campaign launchpad for Attrition.
The Churchill entire has always been a talented horse and has gone a long way towards putting up-and-coming trainer Mitch Freedman on the map.
Having run an agonizingly close second in the Australian Guineas last Match, Attrition improved with each run back in the spring, culminating in a memorable success in the Toorak Handicap.
There's no doubt that he will improve for whatever he does manage on Saturday, but he does have a number of these rivals covered for class, and he could be the value in 2024 Futurity Stakes betting.
8 – Hey Fat Cat (3)
Trainer Robbie Laing is electing to have a throw at the stumps with three-year-old Hey Fat Cat in the Futurity Stakes.
Having finished midfield in the Autumn Stakes and the CS Hayes Stakes at his last two appearances, he is understandably the rank outsider in Futurity Stakes betting.
