Caulfield Racing Tips & Preview by Nick Foot- May 11

#7 Stanley Express

1 career start for 1 win and that was in the $1 million Vobis Showdown at Caulfield where he managed to get home -3L inside BM for the L600m. Has opted to stay at home over going to a Stakes race in South Australia.

Suggested Bet – Win

#4 Esskay – $14

Raced against the better 3YO’s in the Spring but never threatened to reach the level he threatened in his juvenile season. Finished in the minor placings all 3 runs this preparation, beaten by small margins. I like how the O’Brien team are stepping him up in trip slowly this campaign and looks well suited to the mile 4th up. Drops 5.5kg off LS and maps to get a soft run with Harry Coffey in the saddle.

Suggested Bet – 1×3 Stake

If you’ve been keeping up with the recent Caulfield meetings, there’s plenty to dive into before we get to Saturday. In my eyes, what’s shaping this round are two main threads: recent horse race outcomes and how the horses have actually been performing under similar conditions. Let’s work through this together, and you can use these Racing Tips to fine-tune your selections.

Reading Recent Results

Over the past few Caulfield meetings, the form lines have hardened. Horses that settled off a strong pace and closed well seem to be rewarded, especially when track conditions are on the softer side. For example, past tipsters have frequently pointed out how horses with a strong sprint into the straight fared better when the track rail was out or when rain softened the turf. Seeing those horses finish strongly from midfield or off the pace suggests stamina and adaptability which are often overlooked until after the race.

What to Watch in Current Racing Tournaments

In the current tournaments, weight has been a factor: lighter marks seem to allow gallopers to sustain a solid finish. Also, barrier draws are showing more influence when the first 400 metres are played hard; low draws are giving a leg up into favorable positions off the pace or just behind the speed. Trainers who’ve had good luck with four to six starts this campaign seem to have their charges peaking now, especially in sprint-to-middle distance races.

Racing Tips You Can Use

Here are some pointers to carry forward:

• Form over hype: a horse that’s finished in the money over similar distance, especially recently, is more trustworthy than one with just a big name.
• Track condition adaptability: if the going could be soft, lean toward runners who’ve handled moisture well. Past slipping or fading horses are high risk if conditions change.
• Pace mapping: understand how the race is likely to be run. If there’s early speed, those horses may fade, making for opportunities in the back half of the field.
• Consistency: look for those who have shown reliable results across three to five runs. One bad performance can be forgiven—two in similar conditions can’t.

Bonus: Tuning in via Racing Podcasts

If you want to dig deeper, catching recent Racing Podcasts that cover Caulfield previews can be helpful. Many of them interview trainers or jockeys who tip in latest practices—sometimes you’ll hear about health, trials, or strategy beneath the surface that doesn’t yet show up in the public form. That inside angle can mean the difference when you’re weighing between two similarly rated horses.