Mick’s Mail: Caulfield 10/05/2025

R1- With very little exposed form here I’ll be watching on from afar and holding my punting fire. Keen to watch Burlington Arcade and Prince Tycoon from a future perspective.

No Bet

R2- A small but even field of BM84 stayers here with most having found their level.

I’ve settled on the Team Freedman trained Galilaeus, this tough ex European son of Galileo will get a soft run from a nice barrier, carries no weight after Logan Bates’ claim and his recent efforts suggest the step out to 2400M will suit perfectly.

Ziryab was an honest effort last start at Warnambool over the carnival, he draws the rails, gets relief from his top weight after Jaylah Kennedy’s claim and drops in class. He will run a very good race although I couldn’t take $2.50 about him winning.

Golden Crusader and Savior Faire have claims, as does Fernao who is racing well although it draws the outside and the $3.50 is too skinny.

Backing #7 Galilaeus 

R3- The improving Muktamil comes out on top here. I really like the steady improvement this gelding is showing with racing. When he first arrived from the UK he showed a lack of maturity and struggled to finish off his races, that appears to be well behind him now. Last start at Moonee Valley, he got squeezed up on the corner and once re-balanced he toughed it out to the line. He will be better suited on the bigger track here and at $9.50 appeals as a nice bet.

The lightly raced Freight Train is the danger here, 3 runs back from a spell has him ready to peak. Race pattern hasn’t been overly kind to him in his past couple of runs, the step out to 2000M and a plum draw give him every chance to show his best.

Nearing Liberty is another who should be ready to fire now, his run here when resuming showed he had returned in good order. Last start he had little luck in the run but still ground to the line nicely, the push out in trip will suit him also.

Goldenstatewarrior is always thereabouts and will appreciate the 2kg claim. Chihuly has ability on its day and is better than a $71 chance, throw him in your exotics.

Backing #10 Muktamil

R4- The beautifully bred and progressive filly Madiyya is my best bet on the program. Theres been plenty to like from her 2 career starts, her win at Sale stamping her as an above average conveyance. I see her getting the perfect run in transit, extricating at the top of the straight and powering away to win. The $3.70 that was on offer when markets first went up was luxurious, I see her starting around the $2.60 mark.

Storm Season is a nice filly with obvious ability who has proved herself to be adaptable with her race pattern thus far in her career. Barrier one will suit and allow her to take up a forward position, she should be in the finish somewhere.

Terilee has good on debut and that race has been stamped with winners coming from those she beat. A low draw and weight relief will assist her to figure again.

Rockin’ At Midnight didn’t get too many favours last start, if she can get cover from the wide draw early in the race then she might be the one storming home from off pace.

Backing #6 Madiyya

R5- The resuming Extreme Virtue looks a nice bet to me at the $9 currently on offer. In a race of questionable speed, I am hoping she jumps straight to the lead, stacks them up and kicks away at the 250M. Last prep she went from strength to strength winning all 3 starts and going for a well-deserved break when still at her top, a strategy that I like a lot. A first up winner and unbeaten at both track and trip makes her a very attractive bet.

Cinematic Star is an honest mare with good ability, she gets in with a light weight, is a 2^nd up winner, and can take the next step to Saturday grade.

Sirius Statement is racing in career best form since moving to the Bedggood yard, she will camp just off the speed and Jamie Mott will give her every chance.

Grid Girl is always around the money and that will be the case here, the 1400M is a perfect fit for her.

Backing #6 Extreme Virtue

R6- Wow, what a great bet we have here in the shape of Jenni’s Meadow. This nice filly from Team Hayes, she has had a few excuses at different stages of her career, and I am hoping that she gets and even share of luck from the draw here. There is good speed, so I am banking on them spreading out a bit and Jaylah finding a spot to get some cover. She has a win at the mile on her resume and has placed at the track, whilst her form shows that she hasn’t run a place 2^nd up all those efforts have had merit. The 2kg claim will be a massive help and at $14 is a colossal bet.

Mary Eliza was good when coming back from a freshen up at Mornington. There was word around that day that she would improve off the run and that was certainly the case. She gets in with a postage stamp weight here and is a big chance.

I like what I see of Energetic Legend as a horse. He was only plain when first up at Kembla and has been back to the trials where he did all that was asked of him. Team Hawkes has a fabulous knack of moving horses between their interstate stables with great success, this could well be another example of that strategy. He is also a 2^nd up winner from his only attempt.

Narbold can produce a big run when things go right for him, he will settle back from the awful draw but look for him to be finishing well late in the piece.

Backing #1 Jenni’s Meadow

R7- We get into the tricky part of the day. Saban is the rightful favourite and my on top pick. He will improve on his first up run where he ran into the very exciting King Zephyr, a great pipe opener in getting within 3 lengths of that horse. He encountered a fair bit of traffic that day and with natural improvement will be hard to toss here.

Mirzann resumes here for Waller and whilst we will see him getting out further in trip later in the prep, the 1600M is perfect for him at this stage. He always races well when fresh and with even luck he will be doing his best work from the 200M to the post.

Ambassadorial is an extremely honest horse albeit he seems to keep finding one better lately. He will race on pace from the draw and if others slip up then he might just slip away with the prize.

Too Much Caviar will make its own luck from the front and if allowed to dictate may prove tough to get past.

Outsiders Bold Soul and Chartres have claims at huge odds and a forward showing from either wont surprise.

Backing #11 Saban

R8- War Machine was a certainty beaten last start and I think he can atone here. He gets a significant jockey upgrade albeit Jamie Mott will need to be at his best from barrier 15. That’s said, I believe this horse has greater scope than his opposition and will benefit from not being crowded up. With even luck and some cover mid race he should hurtle down the middle of the track and swamp them late.

The Open has good credentials for a race like this, he flies 2^nd up, loves the distance and whilst never winning at Caulfield he has run three 2nds from 4 tries, all behind very good horses.

Elouyou is racing in great heart and must be considered again. He was ‘gifted’ a soft lead 2 starts back when winning and last start camped on two runners cutting at each other. He might just get a box seat drag into it again here. The $2.70 seems a little short though.

Jimmy The Bear wasn’t far behind Another Wil last time in, and whilst he is usually better 2^nd up, he is usually around the money when fresh. The $35 seems generous.

Others to consider are Charterhouse, who will be storming home late, and the Meagher trained ex Singapore pair Lim’s Baltoro and Lim’s Ida who have decent form is Asia although that form is tough to line up. Market watch is key there.

Backing #8 War Machine one unit, #12 The Open half unit.

R9- No favours for us here with a very open race. I’m bracketing Talbragar and Namesake here and level staking.

Talbragar is a very talented horse whose career has been plagued with injury issues, evidence by being a 7yo with only 13 starts. That said he has won 6 of those highlighting his ability. He has won 4 of 6 when fresh and I am banking of the very astute Julius Sandhu having him ready to go again here. If he’s anywhere near his best, he will give this lot a bit of curry (sorry Julius) at around the $15 mark.

Namesake is my other on top selection. This son of Maurice has really found his way recently, he gets in with no weight, will get a lovely run from the draw and the $14 appeals.

Oh Too Good is very good on her day, she is unbeaten first up, loves the trip and her only visit to Caulfield resulted in a narrow 2^nd behind Extratwo. The draw is a concern given she will want to race on speed and could get posted wide.

Pivot City will get back and run on, the barrier is a little sticky for that pattern, but he’s too well placed not to include.

Winnasedge and Zou Sensation will be going into my quaddy as others with hopes.

Backing #7 Talbragar and #13 Namesake, half unit each.

R4-6 best of the day

R5-6

R6-1

R2-7

R3-10

R1-limited exposed form, watching 4&8

R2-7v,1,2,3

R3-10v,9,15,1,7 not hopeless

R4-6xxx best/day,4,5,8

R5-6xx,16,8,10

R6-1xx,11,12,8

R7-tricky 11,10,9,6 (1&3 into Quaddy)

R8-8x,12,15,4 (7…5&11?? into Quaddy)

R9-very open, small bets 7&13..3,10 (5&6 hopes)

Best of luck if you’re playing.