Saturday preview: Courier-Mail racing editor Nathan Exelby breaks down the big races at Caulfield and Doomben

PODCAST: THE Courier-Mail’s racing editor Nathan Exelby looks for the winners at Caulfield Guineas Day and at home at Doomben.

THE Courier-Mail’s racing editor Nathan Exelby looks for the winners at Caulfield and Doomben with his regular column, Nathan’s Racebook.

HOT TIPS: WEEKEND BEST BETS

THE EARLY OIL: CAULFIELD

ANALYSIS: CAULFIELD GUINEAS

DATES TO REMEMBER: SPRING RACING CARNIVAL

THE FACTORS

CAULFIELD

Track: Good (3)

Weather: Mostly sunny, 18C

DOOMBEN

Track: Good (4)

Weather: Sunny, 33C

CHRIS VERNUCCIO, DANNY RUSSELL & MATT STEWART PREVIEW GUINEAS DAY

Caulfield Race 7: Thousand Guineas

1600m, 3YO F G1, 2.50pm

In the run: Whispering Brook and Legless Veuve take it up and provided she jumps, Global Glamour then crosses to ensure it is genuinely run.

Take note: Harlow Gold hasn’t come off the traditional lead-ups, but did beat the boys last time and runner-up was good at Flemington on Sunday. She will get over more ground yet, so like the 21 days between runs for her here. Aiming to give the David Hayes led Lindsay Park stable repeat wins in the race.

Did you know: Fillies coming off Sydney lead-ups don’t dominate this race like they do the Caulfield Guineas. Just seven winners in the past 30 years off Sydney lead-ups. Global Glamour is trying to improve on the record of just two Flight winners from 17 runners in the same time frame.

Early money: Global Glamour is creeping closer to Foxplay in the market all the time. Fox is 2-0 v the Glamour, but the latter had excuses both times.

NATHAN’S TIP: HARLOW GOLD $8.50

NATHAN’S DANGER: GLOBAL GLAMOUR $3.90

Divine Prophet looms as a genuine chance in the feature race on the Caulfield card. Picture: Jenny Evans

Caulfield Race 8: Caulfield Guineas

1600m, 3YO G1, 3.30pm

In the run: Not huge speed. Evacuation and Saracino settle handy. Expect Good Standing to cross and be very prominent. Divine Prophet can be closer this time.

Take note: The Sydney 3YO’s have been running stronger figures than the Melbourne colts all spring, underlined by the number of second tier Sydney-trained runners that won lead-ups. The Stan Fox has been the most successful lead-up in recent times and looks the right race again.

Did you know: Divine Prophet is 0/2 vs Impending, but hasn’t been much between them and gets clearly superior draw today. Barriers 1-4 have provided 17 of the past 30 winners of this race. Suspect he’s primed to peak for Dwayne Dunn.

Early money: Sacred Elixir is the firmer this week, but wouldn’t surprise if the money dries up on Saturday when the professionals hammer the higher rated Sydneysiders.

NATHAN’S TIP: DIVINE PROPHET $6

NATHAN’S DANGER: GOOD STANDING $8.50

Caulfield Race 9: Toorak Handicap

1600m, G1, 4.10pm

In the run: There’s no natural backmarkers here, so some will be out of their comfort zone. Expecting genuine speed with Miss Rose De Lago crossing and Great Esteem also running them along. Thames Court handy.

Take note: Royal Rapture hasn’t even contested a stakes race this preparation, but he’s been returning Group class ratings and beating his rivals with ease. Typical of a Darren Weir trained horse in that he keeps improving through a long prep.

Did you know: Rupert Clarke winners have claimed this race four times (from 19 attempts) in the past 30 years. Bon Aurum tries to build on that here. He’s been super this prep, but 1600m form not as compelling as 1400m.

Early money: The scratching of Tosen Stardom caused most of the chances to firm yesterday.

NATHAN’S TIP: ROYAL RAPTURE$7.50

NATHAN’S DANGER: HE’S OUR ROKKII $3.10

Can He's Our Rokkii add a Group 1 to his impressive CV? Picture: Michael Klein

Doomben Race 9: Bartons Plate

1350m, C6 SW, 5.15pm

In the run: Monsieur Gustave probably crosses Land Office and then Pepperano adds to the pressure crossing from out wide.

Take note: Can see Privlaka getting a lovely trail behind the genuine speed. He got the job done fresh, but needs to go better again here. His ratings have the scope to do that.

Did you know: The last three Saturday Class 3 Plate winners to contest a subsequent race have all won at their next start (including Monsieur Gustave). Pepperano aims to make it four after cavalier win in fast time last week.

Early money: The punters keep getting the money with Monsieur Gustave and they have tipped in again here, firming from $2.80 to $2.60. Jeff Lloyd has also been good to punters, striking at a formidable rate this season.

NATHAN’S TIP: PRIVLAKA $5.50

NATHAN’S DANGER: PEPPERANO $4.20

Originally published as Saturday preview: Courier-Mail racing editor Nathan Exelby breaks down the big races at Caulfield and Doomben