The bet365 Pick 6 Challenge continues this weekend
Racing returns to Caulfield on Saturday with two Group 1's in the form of the Thousand Guineas and the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. The standalone The Hunter meeting at Newcastle is a fitting compliment for what shapes to be another great day of thoroughbred action.
Leading bookmaker bet365 are putting $75,000 on the line for any logged-in member who correctly selects the winners of six specified races across the Caulfield and Newcastle cards. There are also consolation prize pools of $10,000 to be split amongst those who tip five winners and $5,000 for those who pick four.
The six featured races are outlined below with the R&S team providing pre-race previews to give you an early jump.
Newcastle Race 6 - The Beauford - 3.30pm
Group 1 placegetter Sky Lab (3) indicated a win was imminent after motoring late from near last on the turn when a solid sixth in the Rosehill Gold Cup on November 4. Has won on his home track and over the 2200m. A repeat of latest puts him right in this. Group 3 placegetter Canberra Legend (9) was in need of the run when making his Australian debut with a tiring seventh over 2000m in the Rosehill Gold Cup on November 4. Now in the Waller yard and strips much fitter today. Big improver. Group 1 placegetter Stroke Of Luck (5) has returned in good order and won well second-up before finishing from well back at latest when a neck second over 2000m in the Rosehill Gold Cup. Placed in the Qld Derby and likely to get back from the draw. Group 2 winner Numerian (1) is slowly working into peak fitness and nice effort with the 59kg when sat on the speed for a gritty fourth over 1800m at Randwick in the G3 Craven Plate on October 28. Ran fifth to WITHOUT A FIGHT at WFA level in Qld last June.
Caulfield Race 7 - Thousand Guineas - 3.45pm
Looking for some value with Quickster (13) who had no luck behind Skybird at Moonee Valley last time out. She flew home late to grab fourth and should improve a lot out of that. Drawn well, she can run a big race. Coeur Volante (2) sat close to a strong speed and was strong through the line to win the Prelude. Maps ideally here, will be very hard to beat. Skybird (3) is very exciting. She's unbeaten in three starts and has caught the eye with big finishes at all of them. If she gets luck she'll be very hard to hold out again. Arctic Glamour (4) was a touch disappointing last time but looked very good prior in Sydney and could bounce back. Joliestar (6) next best.
Newcastle Race 7 - 3YO Spring Stakes - 4.05pm
Sly Boots (4) has a sense of timing about him and gives every indication of running a strong 1600m. Taken back from the wide gate second-up and strong through the line when sixth at Randwick in much easier company on November 7. Backs-up quickly and expected to race closer from the good gate. Has solid winning prospects. Group 3 placegetter Kintyre (1) is a talented gelding who tackled tougher company at latest when a tiring seventh to TOM KITTEN in the G1 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick over 2000m. Blinkers come off and races well this track. Invincible Spy (3) undefeated in two starts and faces his stiffest assignment here from a wide gate. Pushed forward and had plenty up the sleeve when winning over the 1600m at Gosford on November 2. Expected to figure prominently. Just In Time (12) won her maiden two back at this track over the 1200m, before stepping-up in trip and grade when a plugging fifth over 1600m in the G3 Carbine Club Stks at Flemington on November 4. Fitter now.
Caulfield Race 8 - Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes - 4.25pm
Crosshaven (15) looks to tick a few boxes. He charged home to split two smart sprinters first up at Flemington over 1200m and is much better suited at this trip. He maps ideally just behind the pace, expect he's in the finish. Magic Time (11) is a very good mare. She had a tough run and went down fighting in The Invitation last time out and now gets down in the weights. Draw hurts but she rates highly. Strait Acer (3) charged into fourth in the Golden Eagle last start which is very strong form. Back in trip and does have to give a few weight but keeps improving. Buffalo River (9) loves the Caulfield 1400m and is racing very well. He'll cross and lead and give a sight. Chain Of Lightning (10) can improve out to 1400m.
Newcastle Race 8 - The Hunter - 4.45pm
Doomben 10,000 winner Mazu (1) has raced at the elite level this time in and drops sharply in grade today. Finally draws a decent gate after finishing fifth in the Winners Stakes at Rosehill on November 4. Had a recent tick over trial at Hawkesbury on November 13. The one to beat. Group 3 placegetter Coal Crusher (6) looks ready to peak fourth up and has excellent figures this course and distance. Went out hard from the wide gate when a solid fourth in the Winners Stakes at Rosehill on November 4. Will sit on the speed and take catching. Group 2 placegetter Far Too Easy (11) is a tough sprinter who needs plenty of luck in his races. Motored late from well back when resumed with a slick third over 1200m in The Kosciuszko at Randwick on October 14. Has solid second-up form and has the ability to figure prominently. Group 3 winner King Of Sparta (3) has been freshened since finishing a plugging eighth over 1200m in the G3 Sydney Stakes at Randwick on October 14. Look for him late.
Caulfield Race 9 - Victorian Country Cups Final - 5.05pm
Red Sun Sensation (11) is knocking on the door. He was beaten a nose by an in form Ain'tnodeeldun two back at Moonee Valley before just finding one better in the Kyneton Cup as favourite last time. Gets in with 53kg here and should be right in the finish. Brayden Star (3) had no hope off a very slow tempo here two back at G2 level but bounced back to run second in the G3 Bendigo Cup last start. The form out of that stood up in the Melbourne Cup. Not unsuited back to 2000m, big chance. Maktoob (5) is flying and can measure up. Claidheamh Mor (7) is racing well and can give a sight. Convener (10) should be ready to peak and drops 5kg for this.
