Caulfield Cup Day Racebook with the wolf in sheep’s clothing, James Lamb

THE Wolf is sticking with the locals in a wide-open Caulfield Cup as leading form analyst JAMES LAMB finds some value in his punting four-play.

THIS is a fascinating renewal of the Caulfield Cup, with some real up-and-comers down in the weights taking on a few talented internationals.

As is often the case in the big Group 1s these days it is Weir versus Waller, with Kings Will Dream (14) and Youngstar (18) looking the best of the locals.

After winning his first five starts in Australia, including the Mornington Cup by five lengths, Kings Will Dream has progressed to weight-for-age level this spring and acquitted himself brilliantly and his Turnbull Stakes run over 2000m should top him off nicely for this fifth-up.

FIRST TO LAST: PREDICTED CAULFIELD CUP FINISH

TOP PICKS: WEEKEND BEST BETS

Youngstar also comes out of the Turnbull where she gave her superstar stablemate an almighty scare. The daughter of High Chaparral powered to the line, breaking 33 seconds for her final 600m in what was a most impressive Caulfield Cup trial.

James Lamb has Kings Will Dream on top in the Caulfield Cup. Picture: Getty Images

In terms of the overseas raiders, The Cliffsofmoher looks the clear standout coming off a slashing fourth at his Australian debut in the Caulfield Stakes.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained galloper clocked the quickest final 600m, 400m and 200m in a fast-run affair and he’ll no doubt take great benefit from that first-up run.

SCROLL DOWN FOR JAMES’S BETTING STRATEGY, FOUR-PLAY AND QUADDIE

If you’re looking for a roughie to spice up exotics, Chestnut Coat warrants consideration coming out of strong Japanese races. We’ve seen similar form stack up very well over here in the past, with Admire Rakti taking out this event in 2014.

In a wide-open Caulfield Cup, Kings Will Dream gets the nod ... just.

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Last week www.punters.com.au form analyst James Lamb had a big collect on The Autumn Sun in the Caulfield Guineas and earlier with Winter Bride.

Unfortunately he struck out in the quaddie when Yucatan blew the field away in the Herbert Power Stakes

MAIN RACE $100 BETTING STRATEGY

G1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m)

$60 on KINGS WILL DREAM (14) at $6

$30 on YOUNGSTAR (18) at $6.50

$10 on CHESTNUT COAT (3) at $18

SPEED MAP

Homesman should lead initially but you’d expect Jon Snow and The Taj Mahal to work across from out wide to apply some pressure. It might be The Taj Mahal who eventually runs to the lead and sets the pace. Ace High should tuck in for a lovely run just off the speed, with Kings Will Dream also relatively handy. With a clean beginning, Duretto can boot through to settle in the first five or six on the fence. Youngstar should be able to slot in just worse than midfield from the middle draw.

POCKET GUIDE

MELBOURNE

JAMES LAMB SAYS

VERRY ELLEEGANT (R5, No.6 — $2.50)

Caught the eye at her Australian debut when third to stablemate Amphitrite who then came out and won the Group One Thousand Guineas at her next start.

INVINCIBLE GEM (R9, No.4 — $8.50)

Double-figure odds on offer for this Lees mare who was competitive against the likes of Redzel and Trapeze Artist in Sydney last time.

MICHAEL MANLEY SAYS

PEACEFUL STATE (R10, No. 5 — $4)

No luck last start at Caulfield. He’s a classy stallion who will be suited by the likely fast speed in this and should rocket home.

SYDNEY

RAY THOMAS

BURNING CROWN (R3, No. 7 — $2.10)

Drawn well and should settle on the speed. Very promising young sprinter and if he handles a rain-affected track he should win.

BRISBANE

NATHAN EXELBY

FEMME FIREBALL (R4, No. 9 — $4)

Classy mare resuming in much lesser race to the ones she took on over the carnival. Has trialled well for her return and 1200m suits better than the washed out 1110m race she was in last week. No dramas on wet ground and that will help offset her wide draw.

ADELAIDE

LINCOLN MOORE

GYTRASH (Race 6, No. 1 — $2.80)

Exciting SA three-year-old who beat all but Written By in Melbourne last time when he missed the start. He’s still learning, but is super talented and looks the testing material here.

Invincible Gem is great value in race 9 at Caulfield. Picture: AAP

FOUR RACES TO PLAY

RACE 2 – POLYTRACK GOTHIC STAKES (1400m)

RANIER (4) was a well-publicised horror show last start, with jockey Hugh Bowman badly held-up in behind runners until the 50m mark. The Godolphin colt launched late but just missed behind the talented Wild Planet. This is a very similar event and he maps for a sweet run just off the speed. The notion of Bowman riding “safe” at this meeting because of Winx is a bit of a fallacy because he can defer any suspension until after Cox Plate day anyway. Banking on the leading hoop to atone here.

$50 BETTING STRATEGY

$50 on RANIER (4) at $2.65

RACE 4 – CARLTON DRAUGHT ALINGHI STAKES (1100m)

Queensland trainer Toby Edmonds has ventured south with two sprinters here, FROM WITHIN (8) and ACQUME (10). The latter makes each-way appeal coming off a very slick trial over 1000m at Doomben late last month. She’s yet to win first-up but boasts three minor placings and her second to I Am Excited over this trip at Randwick two-back reads very well for this. The Sepoy mare has drawn to swoop from midfield in a race where the early speed looks hot.

$50 BETTING STRATEGY

$25 each-way on ACQUME (8) at $9

RACE 5 – NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK ETHEREAL STAKES (2000m)

VERRY ELLEEGANT (2) was unlucky not to finish closer at her Australian debut over the Flemington mile last start. The former Kiwi-trained mare, now with Darren Weir, didn’t find clear galloping room until the final furlong but charged late, giving every indication that she’ll appreciate the extra distance here. The form out of that race has stacked up very nicely, with the winner Amphitrite taking out the Group One Thousand Guineas at her next start. The main danger looks to be striking grey on-pacer GREYSFUL GLAMOUR (2).

$50 BETTING STRATEGY

$50 on VERRY ELLEEGANT (6) at $2.55

RACE 9 – TRISTARC STAKES (1400m)

Typically open mares’ race so happy to go with one at double-figure odds in INVINCIBLE GEM (4) from the in-form Kris Lees yard. She contested a mini-Everest on resumption, crossing the line just behind Trapeze Artist and Redzel in a 1200m race where they really scorched the turf. Her last 100m was good and the step up in trip looks favourable. Her effort in the Group One Tatt’s Tiara prior to going for a spell was terrific given she was wide without cover for most of the race.

$50 BETTING STRATEGY

$25 each-way on INVINCIBLE GEM (4) at $10

Rainer (blue) struck bad luck when second to Wild Planet. Picture: AAP

QUADZILLA

Nothing really stands out as an anchor for our quaddie this week so we are playing a 4-4-3-5 configuration.

FAT QUADDIE

3,4,7,11 / 2,3,14,18 / 3,4,11 / 1,5,6,8,9 — Cost $50 for 20%

SKINNY QUADDIE

3,4,7,11 / 14,18 / 3,4,11 / 1,5,6,8,9 — Cost $25 for 21%

LEG 1 (R7)

There was a race here over 1700m on September 30 that looks the best form reference for this, with BEST OF DAYS (7) and LIFE LESS ORDINARY (4) both running well in that event. The latter was a dominant winner of the Wagga Cup over this trip last preparation and looks ready to fire third-up. MAHAMEDEIS (11) came from a long way back to score impressively at Moonee Valley last start which is never an easy thing to do, while TRAP FOR FOOLS (3) was finished less than two lengths off Winx last start.

SELECTIONS: 3,4,7,11

Best Of Days runs second to Furrion last start. Picture: Getty Images

LEG 2 (R8)

KINGS WILL DREAM (14) and YOUNGSTAR (18) look the best of the local brigade. The form around them is strong and both have drawn favourably with their light weights. Aidan O’Brien’s THE CLIFFSOFMOHER (2) ran an eye-catching fourth in the Caulfield Stakes last start and his closing sectionals suggest he’ll appreciate the extra distance here. The best roughie to throw in might be Japanese galloper CHESTNUT COAT (3).

SELECTIONS: 2,3,14,18

LEG 3 (R9)

INVINCIBLE GEM (4) was good against the likes of Redzel and Trapeze Artist last start and should find this easier. The Lees mare boasts a solid record over this distance and has the services of James McDonald. INVINCIBELLA (3) and SAVATIANO (11) come out of the same race at Flemington last start. The latter was unlucky not to finish closer there and looks capable of turning the tables.

SELECTIONS: 3,4,11

LEG 4 (R10)

This looks a tough finish to the quaddie so a bit of extra coverage is necessary. MR SNEAKY (8) was good at Group One level here last start and should be nearing his peak fourth-up. PEACEFUL STATE (5) had no luck in the same race and is worth another chance. Sydney visitor DREAMFORCE (6) boasts an impressive 1400m record. SIRCCONI (9) encountered a few traffic issues last time. The same can be said for CRACK ME UP (1) who can improve at decent odds.

SELECTIONS: 1,5,6,8,9

David Eustace trains in partnership with Ciaron Maher. Picture: AAP

A CHAT WITH DAVID EUSTACE

GLENN McFARLANE: You were almost born to be a trainer with your family connection to Newmarket.

DAVID EUSTACE: The old man (James) has trained for 30-odd years and mum’s parents were jumps trainers, and my grandfatherwas a jumps jockey who rode in a Grand National. He rode in Devon Loch’s National (in 1956), the Queen’s horse, who did themysterious jump at the last. He (my grandfather) was fourth in that national. I tried to be a jockey, but I got too fat.

GM: You’ve been training in partnership with Ciaron Maher since July. Ciaron’s trademark is his wild, shaggy hair. What’syours?

DE: I think most people would pick out my eyebrows.

GM: You worked with some great trainers in your early years — from Roger Varian through to Peter Moody. What were the lessonsthey taught you?

DE: My father was obviously why I wanted to train in the first place, but I learnt the bulk of my knowledge from Roger. AndPeter was a fantastic boss. Working with him was fantastic, he ran a very organised ship and had a great eye and was verygood to his start. It is a great shame he isn’t training anymore.

GM: There’s plenty of banter in the Caulfield trainers’ tower. Who’s the most amusing?

DE: Manny Gelagotis, no doubt. He’s a recent edition and is the star of the show. He has always got something to say and itis generally negative towards the authorities.

GM: Who celebrates harder with a big win — the Caulfield trainers or the Newmarket ones?

DE: You are in town here and there are probably a few more brighter lights than in Newmarket. We’ve got a good young teamhere, so we celebrate and commiserate the same.

GM: How excited are you by the challenge of being in partnership now with Ciaron?

DE: Very. Ciaron has built an enthusiastic young team around him and we are very thankful that we feel as if we have the bestyoung team in the country, from a training point of view.

GM: How good was it being at Royal Ascot to see Merchant Navy win?

DE: I suppose it was just a vindication of how much we thought of the horse.

GM: Which of the horses in the stables get your springing out of bed in the morning?

DE: There’s a lot to look forward to, but probably Yulong Meteor, who is heading towards an Oaks. We think she could be pretty good.

BEST BET

Bons Away (R3, No. 3, $5.50)

“He’s racing well at the moment but he has finally drawn a barrier and he should win.”

CAULFIELD RUNNERS

Yulong January (R2, No.3)

Bons Away (R3, No.3)

Yulong Meteor (R5, No.8)

Not A Single Cent (R6, No.4)

Visao (R6, No.5)

Mast Of Time (R7, No.10)

Aloisia (R9, No.2)