The Henry Dwyer Racing stable has three runners today in FIRST DIVISION, IRISH PLAYBOY and HELEVA DEEL running at Caulfield.
Caulfield – Good (4)
The rail is back to the true position at Caulfield having been out 12m at the most recent meeting and that movement will ensure the inside ground is fresh and clean. The track has been posted a Good 4 on race morning after improving throughout the week. Light winds are forecast today which could give those up nearer the speed a little advantage, especially out of the sprint chute (1100, 1200m races). With the rail true, stats show that leaders and on pace horses have a better strike rate than those settling midfield or beyond.
Race 1 (11.50pm) NEDS Handicap
No.6 FIRST DIVISION – Michael Poy (Barrier 1)
FIRST DIVISION makes her debut at Caulfield on Saturday where she will contest an 1100m 2YO Fillies Handicap. She has drawn gate one and Michael Poy is booked to ride.
FIRST DIVISION looks the pick of the debutants after her false start last week when she threw a shoe in the float and played up when arriving on course, where she was subsequently scratched. She was really good at her one trial at Werribee last campaign where she actually beat home last week’s 2YO winner in Jagar. She moved to the line nicely in that trial and showed good ability. Her one jump-out this preparation at Stawell was strong. She jumped well enough to settle in part of the early speed battle before drifting back a touch around the home bend as she headed wide on the course. She was strong with her last 200m under a little bit of pressure and her work through the post was good. Her time of 51.20 secs was just about bang on the average of 51.08 secs for the morning.
From gate one, she can land right on speed provided she jumps cleanly and she will be most competitive here. First time under race pressure you never really know how they will handle it, but all signs point to this filly showing some real ability and today we will certainly learn more.
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $5.50 (as at 8am)
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Race 5 (2.15pm) MRC Membership Renewal Handicap
No.8 IRISH PLAYBOY – Michael Poy (Barrier 4)
IRISH PLAYBOY also heads to Caulfield today where he will contest a 2000m BM78. He has drawn in gate four and Michael Poy will ride.
IRISH PLAYBOY finally gets to a distance he has been looking for and this race sets up really well for him. The track pattern will tell us early if he is going to be a chance given the leader bias he faced last start, but if they a running on then he is a genuine chance at good odds. Current favourite ZACHAZ does look the horse to beat, but our horse will improve off his last run, Michael Poy will be midfield or slightly better in the run and he should have as good a turn of foot as anything else in this race.
This is his best chance this campaign to be a winning chance and watch for him late.
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $17 (as at 8am)
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Race 6 (2.55pm) Gipsie Jack Wines Handicap
No.12 HELEVA DEEL – Alana Kelly a(3) (Barrier 4)
HELEVA DEEL is our third runner at Caulfield today where she will contest a 2000m 3YO Handicap. She has drawn in gate four and Alana Kelly will ride.
HELEVA DEEL gets her chance in the city today running against her own age group in restricted company. We will try and use her gate today and be positive, sitting just behind the leaders, with a significant weight advantage on many of the better chances in the race. She might not be a Saturday class filly in the true sense of the word, however this time of year in a three-year-old restricted race over a distance it can throw up some rough results, so hoping she can put herself thereabouts.
She will need luck from where she positions in the run but we have the in-form Alana Kelly onboard, so if the gap opens come the home straight she is a good chance to fill the placings at each way odds.
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $19 (as at 8am)