2016 Caulfield Guineas field, preview and odds

A field of 14 classy three-year-olds will line up in the 2016 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on Saturday 8th October 2016 at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne.

The feature event on day one of the three-day Caulfield Cup Carnival, the Caulfield Guineas has prizemoney of $1,000,000 and race favourite at online bookmaker William Hill is Sydney galloper Impending at $4.40.

Trained by John O’Shea and to be ridden by James McDonald, the impressive Lonhro colt has drawn barrier ten for Saturday’s feature race. After a solid third in the Group 1 Golden Rose at Rosehill, he returned to the same track to score a top victory in the Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes (1500m). The step up to the mile appears perfect, and punters are of the same opinion.

New Zealand trained three-year-old Sacred Elixir, from the Tony Pike stable, is $6.50 and will jump from gate seven. Damian Lane rode the talented galloper when he resumed to win the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) last month and will be aboard again. He’s already a Group 1 winner over 1600 metres at the Brisbane winter carnival and looks nicely placed here to repeat the dose.

Divine Prophet is $4.80 and on the radar of many punters following his solid form this campaign. A Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) win was followed by fast finishing fourth in the Golden Rose and runner-up finish in the Stan Fox Stakes. In the excellent hands of Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes, he’s drawn perfectly in barrier one and has the services of Dwayne Dunn.

One at odds is James Cummings colt Good Standing $9.00 with Hugh Bowman to ride. Although drawn out in 11, his recent form suggests he will be right in the mix here. He finished less than three lengths from Foxplay in the Golden Rose before a close-up third behind Impending in the Stan Fox Stakes. He’s shown gradual improvement as distances have increased this time in and the 1600 metres should suit.

Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott colt Evacuation disappointed at his first Melbourne run when seventh behind Sacred Elixir in the Guineas Prelude but is being kept safe at $7.00 for the Caulfield Guineas. He jumped from barrier 12 last time out but has fared well in barrier 3 for Saturday’s race. Kerrin McEvoy takes the mount again, and he can improve on what he showed last time.

Others with outside chances include the following three-year-olds.

Kaching $23.00 Ciaron Maher (Trainer) – Nicholas Hall (Jockey)
Improving So You Think colt who is crying out for more ground, although he may be a better Derby chance than Guineas. Hit the line strongly last Friday night at Moonee Valley to run third in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m), and he’s one who’ll definitely be finishing strongly. Drawn barrier six however which may not be ideal as he tends to drop back at the start of his races. Looks value at those odds as he’ll be strong at the finish.

Seaburge $19 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig – Mark Zahra
Always shown ability but failed to put it all together to date. Solid fourth behind Sacred Elixir last start in the Guineas Prelude, and only Group 1 outing ran sixth in the Sires Produce Stakes at Randwick in April. Jumps from gate nine and should be thereabouts with a little luck in running.

Hey Doc $11 Tony McEvoy – Luke Currie
Ran second last in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes in the autumn but something was obviously amiss as he’s returned this spring to win all three starts. Much too good for Land Of Plenty and Kaching in the Stutt Stakes last Friday night at the Valley and comes into this in fine form. Barrier 13 is the only query at this level but should give a good sight.

Saracino $13 Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman – Damien Oliver
Impressive winner of the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington at his first Australian start and not disgraced when beaten just one length by Sacred Elixir in the Guineas Prelude last time out. Drawn nicely in gate four to get all the favours, and while he’ll find this much tougher, could be one at odds with top jockey to ride.

Land Of Plenty $41.00 Mick Price Craig Newitt
Done litle wrong to date and in very capable hands to have an outside chance here, although barrier 14 is a big ask in this grade. Solid second in Stutt Stakes behind Hey Doc after good fourth in reasonable quality three-year-old event before that. Will need luck from the gate.

Revolving Door $31 Clinton McDonald Corey Brown
Runner-up in the Group 2 VRC Sires Prodice Stakes in the autumn behind Seaburge and form this time in has been more than handy. Finished second to Sacred Elixir in the Guineas Prelude last time which suggest he’s going to run around at good value on Saturday at his current odds. Jumps from barrier eight and one to keep an eye on.

At the Caulfield Guineas Track and Distance

Sacred Elixir and Hey Doc both one their only start over 1600m, while Land Of Plenty, Kaching and Divine Prophet have all placed over the trip. Sacred Elixir is the only Caulfield winner, although Wazzenme has two seconds and two thirds from five track starts. Revolving Door and Kaching have both placed at Caulfield.

The 2016 Caulfield Guineas is Race 8 on the card at Caulfield and start time is 4.30pm in the afternoon.

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2016 Caulfield Guineas Field Form and Averages

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