Four-Play, Quadzilla: Gilbert Gardiner’s $200 betting strategy for Caulfield Guineas meeting

News Corp form analyst Gilbert Gardiner is taking on a favourite in one of the Group 1s at Caulfield as he gives his betting strategy and quaddie tips for Guineas day.

News Corp form analyst Gilbert Gardiner gives his $200 betting strategy and quaddie analysis for Saturday’s Caulfield Guineas meeting at Caulfield.

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FOUR-PLAY: $200 BETTING STRATEGY

RACE 2: 3YO FILLIES PLATE (1200m)

$25 each-way KEEPSAKE (12) $5.50/$1.95

First-starter but has the luxury of Mark Zahra aboard to navigate a path to victory from barrier 10. Whispers abound Keepsake could be a bit special, with serious Group 1 targets on the horizon, so expect a forward showing. Keepsake has this week firmed $101 into $26 with Ladbrokes for the Group 1 Thousand Guineas in November.

RACE 4: GROUP 3 LADIES DAY VASE (1600m)

$25 each-way VIBRANT SUN (1) at $18/$5

Group 1 Australasian Oaks winner resumed with an even effort in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes at Flemington last month on a shifty rain-affected surface. Back on top of the ground and won second-up last campaign at 1600m. Drawn wide some concern but enough pace in the race to help Vibrant Sun settle within striking distance. Class will take her a long way here – should be half the price.

RACE 6: GROUP 2 HERBERT POWER STAKES (2400m)

$25 each-way HAARACAINE (15) at $6/$2.50

A progressive stayer with the most upside in the field. Charged through benchmark grades with four wins on the trot and given chance here to sneak into a Caulfield Cup or Melbourne Cup field. Haaracaine must place top three on Saturday to pass the ballot clauses for the spring majors. Only second-up but the Irish-bred stayer has the motor to figure in the finish. Mindful of equal favourite GEAR UP (4) and LE DON DE VIE (1) best roughie at $15.

Some sort of finish! Haaracaine pips them all at the post, with a photo for the remaining places in the Ronald McDonald House Charities Mile.

📽 @Racingpic.twitter.com/vgNNFOPFG2

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) September 22, 2024

RACE 10: GROUP 1 TOORAK HANDICAP (1600m)

$25 each-way ANTINO (3) at $4.80/$1.80

Cannot see him missing a place and he could definitely win with even luck. Touched off in this race last year, peaked on the run, albeit with less weight but the Queensland raider is going much better 12 months on. Battle hardened through gallant performances the past two starts, placed third in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes and Group 2 Feehan Stakes. There’s no Mr Brightside or Pride Of Jenni here. Respect favourite ANOTHER WIL (4).

THAT WAS AWESOME! 💙💜

Pride Of Jenni runs her opposition into the ground! 🔥 @[e-mail]/i8oSg4dNbf

— Racing.com (@Racing) September 27, 2024

QUADZILLA

LEG 1 - RACE 7

MR BRIGHTSIDE (1) is the standout selection obviously. The seven-time Group 1 champion is racing in career best form arguably and only bad luck gets him beaten on Saturday. It is a horse race so anything could happen, but the Makybe Diva Stakes win two starts was full of merit and lost no admirers last start at The Valley chasing Pride Of Jenni. Fit and 2000m ideal. Win this and bring on the Cox Plate.

1ST LEG: 1

LEG 2 - RACE 8

BROADSIDING (1) one out in a Caulfield Guineas is somewhat remarkable but the three-time Group 1 winner has earned the high expectations. A lot of the opposition yet to be tested at 1600m whereas Broadsiding is undefeated in three starts at the distance including twice at the highest level. In a similar boat to Mr Brightside, only bad luck could deny the three-year-old superstar on Saturday at Caulfield.

2ND LEG: 1

LEG 3 - RACE 9

STAR PATROL (6) has trialled up a treat and flies first-up, won three of six starts fresh on the scene. Placed third in only previous start at Caulfield but that was a couple of years ago. MORNINGTON GLORY (2) airborne this preparation and fresh off Group 1 Moir Stakes success must be included. Hardest to beat. Support for RECOMMENDATION (3) must be respected also, won three of four starts at Caulfield. Include the in-form BELLATRIX STAR (9) up against the older horses.

3RD LEG: 2, 3, 6, 9

LEG 4 - RACE 10

ANTINO (3) should take a lot of holding out after gallant performances the past two starts behind superstars Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni. Touched off in the race last year and has a shot at redemption. ANOTHER WIL (4) has barely put a foot wrong, won seven of 10 starts and placed twice. Untapped and still on an upward trajectory. Must win to keep Cox Plate aspirations alive. DESERT LIGHTNING (1) next best from ORCHESTRAL (6) and OSIPENKO (12), who gets in well at the weights.

4TH LEG: 1, 3, 4, 6, 12

COST $100 FOR 500%

SKINNY QUADDIE

Start with MR BRIGHTSIDE (1) one out. In the second leg take BROADSIDING (1) also one out. Then in the third leg take MORNINGTON GLORY (2), STAR PATROL (6) and BELLATRIX STAR (9). Come home with ANTINO (3), ANOTHER WIL (4) and OSIPENKO (12).

1ST LEG: 1

2ND LEG: 1

3RD LEG: 2, 6, 9

4TH LEG: 3, 4, 12

COST $100 FOR 1111%

Originally published as Four-Play, Quadzilla: Gilbert Gardiner’s $200 betting strategy for Caulfield Guineas meeting