AU - Caulfield - Race 1

Thoroughbred

7 Runners

8.4f

Benchmark

Turf

GOOD 4

101.6K

VIEW

R10

Verdict

Tough between the top two but TAKEN (5) gets the nod. He missed the placings for the first time in his career last start but it was in the $1 million Supernova and he was in the market there and has had a soft trial since. Up to 1 ¹/16m should suit nicely now and this is much easier while also dropping in weight. MERRIGOLD (6) is the clear danger. She stepped up to 1m for the first time last week at Flemington and relished it, putting up a career peak with a strong two-length win. Now to 1 ¹/16m but she stays down in the weights and a repeat goes close. VERDAD (3) doesn't win out of turn but was good in the Coastal Classic at Geelong last time when going down narrowly. He should be right there. MILFORD (4) was okay fresh with room to improve and gets fourth spot ahead of TARAMANSOUR (1) who is a query back in trip off his dominant Pakenham Cup win.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
5	Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Comes off a 42 day let-up. First-up ran on from midfield and won by a nose at this track Bm84 November 15 over 7f defeating Catoggio carrying 128lbs at $4.40. Second run from a spell second last of 14 at Pakenham Supernova on December 13 over 7f, 5 len behind Warnie carrying 127lbs at $11. Far better placed here, go close. 1st Pick 5 Taken Jockey: Jamie Melham Trainer: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr J: Jamie Melham T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr	184	-	-	-	45%	5/4
Analysis Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Comes off a 42 day let-up. First-up ran on from midfield and won by a nose at this track Bm84 November 15 over 7f defeating Catoggio carrying 128lbs at $4.40. Second run from a spell second last of 14 at Pakenham Supernova on December 13 over 7f, 5 len behind Warnie carrying 127lbs at $11. Far better placed here, go close.
6	Recent form sound. At the latest run won by 2 len at Flemington Vg Reef January 17 over 1m defeating Make It Sweet carrying 119lbs at $10. The run before that came from midfield, 3rd of 12 at Geelong F&M Bm74 on January 3 over 7f, 1.5 len behind Davida carrying 129lbs at $8. No reason she cannot get the job done again. 2nd Pick 6 Merrigold Jockey: Jye Mcneil Trainer: John Sadler J: Jye Mcneil T: John Sadler	165	-	-	-	31%	9/4
Analysis Recent form sound. At the latest run won by 2 len at Flemington Vg Reef January 17 over 1m defeating Make It Sweet carrying 119lbs at $10. The run before that came from midfield, 3rd of 12 at Geelong F&M Bm74 on January 3 over 7f, 1.5 len behind Davida carrying 129lbs at $8. No reason she cannot get the job done again.
3	At the latest run held ground to the line 2nd of 7 at Geelong Coastal Classic on January 3 over 1 ¹/16m, head behind Precious Charm carrying 120lbs at $6.50. The start before that sat behind the speed prior to fading second last of 8 at Cranbourne Bm100 on December 27 over 1 ¼m, 5.5 len behind Saint George carrying 118lbs at $5.50. Should be right there again. 3rd Pick 3 Verdad Jockey: Patrick Moloney Trainer: Robbie Griffiths J: Patrick Moloney T: Robbie Griffiths	195	-	-	-	17%	5/1
Analysis At the latest run held ground to the line 2nd of 7 at Geelong Coastal Classic on January 3 over 1 ¹/16m, head behind Precious Charm carrying 120lbs at $6.50. The start before that sat behind the speed prior to fading second last of 8 at Cranbourne Bm100 on December 27 over 1 ¼m, 5.5 len behind Saint George carrying 118lbs at $5.50. Should be right there again.

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Horse Racing Basic Terms

Silks

The colorful jacket and cap worn by a jockey which features the design of the owner.

Also Eligible

A horse that is entered but does not draw into the body of the field due to too many entries, and thus is not permitted to start unless there are enough scratches to shrink the field size.

Track Bias

The term used to identify which parts of the track or running styles are producing more winners.