Caulfield Heath
Race 2 – Over The Stars
Jockey – Celine Gaudray
1000m- Barrier 4
Speedy filly Over The Stars is second-up and fitter when she takes on the Heath Track at Caulfield this afternoon. The three-year-old daughter of Overshare was pestered in the lead by a rank outsider when fresh at Ballarat a fortnight ago, holding down fourth position as the pest dropped out to be beaten fifteen lengths. Gun apprentice Celine Gaudray leaves from barrier four and can let her filly roll in the early parts, looking to turn for home with plenty of horse left under her.
Parch and Capitalex have drawn outside gates in a field of seven but will look to roll forward and be handy approaching the sole bend, while expect debutant Phoenix Legend to box-seat behind the leaders from gate three. This galloper has jumped out well for his first trip to the races and been the subject of strong market support. How he handles the occasion and race tempo are always queries with first-starters, but he looks to have some ability. One of the main chances. Capitalex didn’t have much luck two starts ago at Kilmore, but has been good in both runs either side of that effort. Each way claims. So too Parch, who can improve second-up after a sound showing fresh at Geelong. Others stretched.
Over The Stars will be better for her first-up run, a gallop last week suggesting she’s hitting this race in good order. Gaudray should be able to lead or find the leader’s back without using too much of her filly in the early parts, leaving something to offer in the home straight. If she settles in the run, she’ll prove hard to beat.
Currently, Over The Stars is a $6.50 chance in the market.
Caulfield Heath
Race 3 – Le Plus Rapide
Jockey – Blake Shinn
1200m – Barrier 2
Three-year-old galloper Le Plus Rapide makes his racetrack debut at Caulfield’s Heath Track this afternoon. The gelded son of Rubick has jumped out soundly twice this preparation, given a little shake to win his latest at St Arnaud in nice fashion. Leading hoop Blake Shinn rides from an ideal draw and can settle forward in the early parts, looking to control the race heading into the home bend.
Not much speed to speak of in this, perhaps Poetic Storm works forward from a middle draw, while Talktomebaby may elect to hold a forward position from barrier three. This galloper found the 1000-metre dash at Mornington too sharp on debut a fortnight ago and is better suited up in trip here. She was good enough through the line to have claims in what looks a shallow Maiden today. Poetic Storm was sent forward at her only start at this track, beaten a neck when runner-up back in March. She was okay at Traralgon first-up and can improve into the placings without surprising. First-starter The Secret looks next best, her latest jumpout at Cranbourne was sound.
Le Plus Rapide strikes a relatively weak midweek Maiden on debut, and should be given every chance from the front with a clean getaway. He won his latest jumpout with something in hand, how he handles the pressure of raceday will be key to his chances here. One of the main hopes.
Currently, Le Plus Rapide is a $3.80 chance in the market.