Welcome back to another edition of Payney's Punt, and there is a spring in our step this week.
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Last weekend we had our fair share of KFC fill-up boxes (that means we walked away by filling up our pockets, for those playing at home).
However, we are never one to talk about past wins, we know just how quickly this game can chew you up and spit you out.
We look to Saturday's bumper card at Caulfield for Blue Diamond Stakes day and expect them to race on a good track.
The rail will be in its true position.
If you are dipping into the money jar and following our tips, please remember to always gamble responsibly.
Race 1. 12.40pm — Mornington Cup Prelude (2000m)
It is all a one-horse affair in the opening race and it's Defibrillate (4) who the punters like the most. Coming off a dead-heat with Hang Man (6) last start over 1800m at this track. That race was a steady tempo and he did well to chase them down, with the second fastest final 200m on the day. This maps to be a quicker race and he should pounce late in the piece. Has won twice over this trip and loves a dry track 9:6-2-0. Wolfe (3) has been racing well with two seconds from past two starts. Has a 5:2-1-0 record over this trip and is the clear danger.
Top tip: Defibrillate
Race 2. 1.15pm — Zeditave Stakes (1200m)
Only a small field and much like the first, there's one runner which is all the rage. Looking at the race map, Oxley Road (7) will look to lead from Saltpeter (4) and Confrontational (1). Almost odds-on favourite It'sourtime (5) looks the obvious choice here. Has landed barrier one and is coming off a placing in the G2 Autumn Stakes (1400m). Should handle the drop in distance — won over 1200m two starts back. Has won or placed in three career starts and Jamie Kah in the saddle is a bonus. Don't sleep on Oxley Road who won almost 0.6 lengths better than class average on a soft track. Valaquenta (3) is a talented type and can factor here. Is stronger second-up and does like racing at Caulfield.
Top tip: It'sourtime
Race 3. 1.50pm — Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m)
Expect Safe Passage (4) and Malicorne (3) to jump out and look to lead from the inside barriers. The latter has built a handy record and is ultra consistent. Has performed well in this class. However, finished last in only run over this trip and was spelled. Forgive? Impecunious (5) returns from a let-up. Won in solid time and by two lengths over 1200m, rise in trip is a tick. Yes Baby Yes (1) won the G2 Fillies Classic last year and has placed over 1400m. Wide barrier hurts. Chica Fuerte (2) resumes here. Runs well when fresh 2:1-0-1 and has built solid record in Group level over longer distance. Tough race, but we're opting to go for Miss Guggenheim (8) who resumes. Finished three lengths off Chica Fuerte in the G2 Manifold and with the early pace we can see her chasing them alongside Impecunious. At $8 we will have a nibble.
Top tip: Miss Guggenheim
Race 4. 2.25pm — Mannerism Stakes (1400m)
Much like the first two races punters seem to be foaming at the mouth about one runner. Perfect Jewel (1) is odds-on favourite in the G3 Mannerism. The WA runner is a class act. Returns to the races here and has won three times when first-up. Expect Sovereign Award (2) to bounce back strongly from that run in the C.F Orr. Went too hard and will be fitter here. Has won twice from three attempts when second-up and won once over this trip. Perfect Jewel is a bit too short for our liking, happy to look wider with Sovereign Award. Rich Hips (3) can factor here and has won three times over the journey. Resumes from a break and has two wins when fresh.
Top tip: Sovereign Award
Race 5. 3pm — Caulfield Autumn Classic (1800m)
Speed should be quick here with Narvaez and Adandiman pushing forward. Last year's VRC Derby favourite Young Werther (3) is second-up here and placed over this trip last time when second-up behind Khoekhoe (1), who is first-up. Young Werther hit the line nicely last start over 1400m and will be fitter for the run. Will relish the rise in distance. Butter Chicken (11), not only has a quality name, but a quality future. Has won or placed in two career starts. Won over 1600m last start in strong fashion.
Top tip: Young Werther
Race 6. 3.35pm — Futurity Stakes (1400m)
The first of three G1 races is here and the Futurity Stakes looks like it will be a classic instalment. Streets Of Avalon will lead them out from Crosshaven and Too Close The Sun. Lot of love for Crosshaven (10) who gets the blinkers on for the first time and is unbeaten second-up in two tries. Finished second last start in the C.F Orr and we will definitely have some coins on this exciting gelding. Will be fitter here and at $16 and $4.20 it's too much of a carrot. Arcadia Queen (6) has an outstanding first-up record and has eight scorching wins from 12 attempts on dry ground. We think her best is over the mile, but still has a 4:1-1-1 record over 1400m. Behemoth (1) has become a genuine jet and the gelding is undefeated at this journey. Should get a soft run. Probabeel (7) is second-up here and has a 4:3-1-0 record when at this stage. Has won her past five runs on dry ground. And Ole Kirk (8) has drawn the rails and should find a nice spot. The Guineas form from last year stacks up — won the Golden Rose over 1400m. Going to be a belter of a race.
Top tip: Probabeel (Win), Crosshaven (Place)
Race 7. 4.15pm — Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m)
The premier race for two-year-olds is upon us and it's a stacked field. General Beau (1) hasn't put a foot wrong in four starts. Won the Diamond Preview and Prelude. Barrier three is a big tick and Jamie Kah remains in the saddle. Willie Pike gets the ride on Ingratiating (2) who is on the quick back-up after winning last weekend at Flemington. Has General Beau form. Anamoe (5) lunged late in the Prelude to just miss from General Beau. The rise in distance will suit. Jigsaw (8) was four-wide in that same race, but kept closing. Will benefit from the extra journey. Has drawn barrier four and should find a solid spot behind the leaders. Two big chances in Enthaar (13) and Dosh (12) were lame on Thursday and could be scratched from the race. Enthaar looks a serious type and has won both starts in stellar form. Such a wide open race, could be another dartboard scenario. Have a throw!
Top tip: Jigsaw EW
Race 8. 4.55pm — Oakleigh Plate (1100m)
They will ping out in the Oakleigh Plate with Ancestry (6) and Anders (18) mapping to lead. The latter has built an incredible record over 1100m (5:4-0-0). Glenn Boss has the job of steering the colt at 50kg. Wide barrier a concern. Another runner coming in at 50kg is Ranting (17) who resumes. Finished runner-up in both first-up attempts, but does like Caulfield. Celebrity Queen (7) has a phenomenal record 12:6-4-0 and is unbeaten when first-up and over this distance. Can win. Our religious readers all know that Zoutori (1) is a long-time favourite of ours. Finished second in this race last year when fresh and this is the gelding's first-up assignment. Has a 7:4-1-1 record when resuming. And with Jamie Kah in the saddle, well, what more can we say right? Only knock would be he is yet to win at 1100m and has 58kg to contend with.
Top tip: Zoutori
Race 9. 5.35pm — Peter Young Stakes (1800m)
Should be a steady tempo in the last with Miss Siska (11), Paradee (12) and Homesman (3) pushing forward. Miss Siska won this race last year and comes in off a second when fresh. Is a track specialist. Paradee is looking for a hat-trick of wins after winning past two over 1800m. Last win was five weeks ago. Nonconformist (9) chased hard when fresh over the mile and finished third. If Homesman sets a quick pace then it will suit the gelding. Will be fitter for the run and looks a nice each-way play. Punters will be hoping for some Pike magic in the last when he steers Regal Power (1). The WA galloper has serious talent, but this isn't his grand final. Shared Ambition (8) won last start and flies when second-up (4:3-0-0). Must respect.
Top tip: Nonconformist
Best of the day
When: Tomorrow
Where: Caulfield
Race 1: 4 Defibrillate
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