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

Gilbert Gardiner is targeting a $9 chance in an early race at Caulfield on Saturday to help build a healthy bank for punters. Get his best bets and quaddie selections.

The Ciaron Maher-trained Berezka was excellent on debut when third behind Manolo Bling at Caulfield on July 13. Picture: Racing Photos

Gilbert Gardiner is targeting a $9 chance in an early race at Caulfield on Saturday to help build a healthy bank for punters.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

FOUR-PLAY

Race 2: Two-Year-Old Open Handicap (1200m)
$25 each-way BEREZKA (9) $9/$2.90
Against the boys on Saturday but the Xtravagant filly should take vast improvement from a strong debut at Caulfield a fortnight ago, third beaten 2.3 lengths behind Manolo Bling. The two-year-old settled well back, between horses around the bend, and finished off nicely once in a bit clear air. Drops in weight, taking on the colts and geldings, and has champion jockey Craig Williams in the saddle. Drawn to get back again and finish off strongly with even luck.

Ring-a-ding-ding, it's Manolo Bling! 😍

The Grunt filly scores stylishly on debut for @FreedmanRacing & @Brown_ethan8 👌 pic.twitter.com/FEyPOoJstR

— Racing.com (@Racing) July 13, 2024

Race 3: Three-Year-Old Open Handicap (2400m)
$25 each-way PURE GRUNT (4) at $6.50/$2.10
Distance the query but way he finished off last start behind Rezone at Caulfield would suggest 2400m within Pure Grunt’s range. Under pressure before the home turn last start at Caulfield but balanced up around the bend and sustained a good gallop to run fourth in the 2000m race. The Ken and Kasey Keys-trained rising four-year-old should be able to settle closer in the run from barrier one on Saturday. Include Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr-trained TIETAR (8) in exotics, back from a short stint in NSW hard fit and suited by the rise in trip.

HOW CLOSE WAS THAT? 😲

Rezone gets the photo for @beau_mertens & @MickPriceRacingpic.twitter.com/oWQpX9FUrm

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) July 13, 2024

Race 6: Three-Year-Old Open Handicap (1200m)
$25 each-way STEEL CITY (2) at $11/$3.30
Ready to fire fourth-up? Sign of life last start at Caulfield, fourth behind in-form MARBLE NINE, who tackles the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes on Saturday. Steel City, a one-time boom filly, has progressed well the past three starts, building up fitness and race craft again after a long break. Certainly has the class and quality to be in the finish on Saturday in a wide open race. PRINZERRO (4) has the best recent form, albeit without winning.

Marble Nine gets the better of Major Share in a terrific clash at Caulfield 💯 @MaluaRacingpic.twitter.com/ADceYxiRmO

— Racing.com (@Racing) July 13, 2024

Race 8: Benchmark 100 (1600m)
$25 each-way LOUNGE BAR RUBI (8) at $4.60/$1.70
Back in grade and building towards another win. Surged late to run second behind Munhamek in the Listed Winter Championship Final (1600m) last start and a repeat performance, with only 53kg on his back, would go very close to winning this. Lounge Bar Rubi has won two of three starts at Caulfield previously. Strong chance to build on the record on Saturday.

Munhamek wins again! Simply too strong in the VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series Final.

What a marvel.

📽 @7HorseRacingpic.twitter.com/tMpXZibJRc

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) July 6, 2024

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

QUADZILLA

LEG 1, RACE 6
PRINZERRO (4) is a worthy favourite, placed the past three starts in strong form races, but doesn’t win out of turn – one from nine and six minor prizes. Only blemishes were at Caulfield in stakes’ races last spring. Gets his chance to make amends. Champion trainer Ciaron Maher has a strong hand with four runners in the race, including STEEL CITY (2) – ready to peak fourth-up after a promising run last start at Caulfield. Include Maher runners WALLENDA (5) and PIASTRI (9).
1ST LEG 2, 4, 5, 9

LEG 2, RACE 7
RECOMMENDATION (2) one out is likely to be a very popular play and rightly so. He won the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes by seven lengths, somewhat aided by the track pattern, but need not improve much to salute again. Recommendation has a perfect second-up record (3-3) and won multiple times on Good and Soft surfaces so whatever rain hits Saturday should not be too much of an issue. Drawn ideally for champion jockey Blake Shinn to dictate the race from barrier two.
2ND LEG 2

LEG 3, RACE 8
LOUNGE BAR RUBI (8) charged late to run second in the Listed Winter Championship Final (1600m) last start – a repeat performance put him right in the finish again. Back in grade and preferred track, won two of three at Caulfield. JIMMY THE BEAR (2) rediscovered his best to win the Mildura Cup last start and must be respected along with GREEN FLY (7). Watch on imported galloper MAXIMILIAN CAESAR (10), first Australian start and nine months between races.
3RD LEG 2, 7, 8, 10

LEG 4, RACE 9
THE OPEN (6) has gone through the grades quickly, winning four of the past five starts and looks a stakes’ performer coming in the new season. No reason why he cannot win or run very well again on Saturday. RHAPSODY CHIC (12) has lapped up rain-affected ground the past three starts. Include SANDPAPER (13) and $34 outsider REGARDSMAREE (3).
4TH LEG 3, 6, 12, 13

CAULFIELD QUADDIE
Race 6: 2, 4, 5, 9
Race 7: 2
Race 8: 2, 7, 8, 10
Race 9: 3, 6, 12, 13
COST $100 FOR 156%

SKINNY QUADDIE
Start with STEEL CITY (2) and PRINZERRO (4). In the second leg take RECOMMENDATION (2) one out. Then in the third leg take JIMMY THE BEAR (2) and LOUNGE BAR RUBI (8). Come home with REGARDSMAREE (3), THE OPEN (6) and SANDPAPER (13).

CAULFIELD SKINNY QUADDIE
Race 6: 2, 4
Race 7: 2
Race 8: 2, 8
Race 9: 3, 6, 13
COST $100 FOR 833%

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