Raceday focus: Leo Schlink looks at the tough Caulfield program

WITH a possible Caulfield Cup start at stake, form analyst Leo Schlink predicts a bold showing from Darren Weir stayer Night’s Watch in the MRC Foundation Cup (nee Naturalism Stakes). TIPS + ANALYSIS

WITH a possible Caulfield Cup start at stake, Herald Sun form analyst Leo Schlink predicts a bold showing from promising Darren Weir stayer Night’s Watch in the MRC Foundation Cup (nee Naturalism Stakes).

Schlink says, with Damian Lane back on board, Night’s Watch should make his presence felt when it counts and book himself a place in the Caulfield Cup on October 20.

THE EARLY OIL: CAULFIELD

TOP PICKS: WEEKEND BEST BETS

ANALYSIS: SIR RUPERT CLARKE STAKES

RACE WATCH: DAVO’S TIPS FOR ROSEHILL

BEST BET

NIGHT’S WATCH (Race 7, No 10, $3.30)

Chasing a Caulfield Cup start and underlined talent when charging home behind Magic Consul at The Valley. Loves this track and drops 4kg here.

NEXT BEST

LUCKY FOR ALL (Race 2, No 8, $2.20)

Could easily have won at The Valley had he gone straight late. Talented type who will appreciate the step to 1800m.

ANJANA (Race 6, No 8, $4.80)

Unlucky at The Valley when tasting defeat for the first time. Drawn to get a cosy run here.

Macca's gem of cartoon for his selection in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes on Saturday.

THE TRAINER

JAMES CUMMINGS (Flemington)

GONGS (Race 6, No 6, $26)

“I’d love to see her improve on her first-up run. She’s come on and can hopefully perform a lot better.”

HOME OF THE BRAVE (Race 8, No 2, $4)

“He took a few big scalps in the Group 2 Theo Marks, so he deserves the chance to perform at Group 1 level. I don’t see any issue with the seven furlongs here. He’s won over the trip on tough courses in England. Mark Zahra will ride the right race on him.”

OSBORNE BULLS (Race 8, No 4, $6.50)

“In great form and he’ll be fit enough even though he hasn’t run for a few weeks. He was very fresh in his gallop on the grass at Flemington on Tuesday morning and we’re looking forward to seeing how he shapes up at this level.”

EPIDEMIC (Race 9, No 8, $12)

“She’s ready for a big campaign after finishing off her last prep really strongly. Last start she was extremely gutsy beating older mares. She’s a quality mare who’s putting together a great record.”

THE JOCKEY

MARK ZAHRA

Riding in great form, Zahra partners GLOBAL EXCHANGE (Race 1, No 7,), AL GALAYEL (Race 2, No 5), ROBE DE FETE (Race 3, No 6), BONS AWAY (Race 5, No 2), REGINAE (Race 6, No 9), HOME OF THE BRAVE (Race 8, No 2) and I AM EXCITED (Race 9, No 7).

Odds: TAB

SPRING WATCH: STARS TO FOLLOW

Leo Schlink runs the rule over eight horses running at Caulfield and Rosehill who could prove a major force during the spring carnival.

CAULFIELD

LUCKY FOR ALL

(Race 2, No 8, $2.20)

Four-year-old gelding

(Tavistock-Clerio)

Trainer: Darren Weir

Target: None specified

Emerging stayer. The former Kiwi has always shown above average ability and, if not for running in when resuming at The Valley, his record would be even better. He’s not nominated for any of the big Cups this year but shapes as a quality long-term project.

WRITTEN BY

(Race 3, No 1, $1.60)

Three-year-old colt

(Written Tycoon-Yau Chin)

Trainer: Grahame Begg

Target: The Blue Sapphire

Gun juvenile resuming and primed to add to already bulging resume which includes Group 1 Blue Diamond and two other Group spoils. Tasted first defeat in five starts when fourth in the Golden Slipper. Poised for a big campaign.

Jockey Damian Lane rides Night's Watch to victory in the Jockey Celebration Day Handicap on Memsie Stakes Day.

NIGHT’S WATCH

(Race 7, No 10, $3.30)

Five-year-old gelding

(Redwood-Glory Run)

Trainer: Darren Weir

Targets: Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, Melbourne Cup

Desperately unlucky at The Valley in the Dato Tan Chin Nam’ when he ran huge sectionals to finish third. Unbeaten at Caulfield and drops 4kg under handicap conditions. Drawn perfectly for Damian Lane. Defining race for his spring campaign.

JUNGLE CAT

(Race 8, No 1, $12)

Seven-year-old horse

(Iffraaj-Mike’s Wildcat)

Trainer: Charlie Appleby

Target: None specified

The first sprinter Charlie Appleby has started in Australia, the lightly-raced stallion has won at Group 1 level. He resumes after three successive wins at elite level in Dubai. Appleby is sure to have earmarked some juicy spring objectives.

I AM EXCITED

(Race 9, No 7, $4.40)

Four-year-old mare

(Snitzel-Lady Beckworth)

Trainer: David Pfieffer

Target: None specified

Classy Sydney mare who excels over 1200m (six starts for two wins and four placings). Strong first-up behind impressive Ellicazoom and boasts a formidable second-up record. Meets Ellicazoom 2kg better this time.

Graff (centre) proves too strong in the Clarendon Stakes during stand alone Hawkesbury meeting in April. Picture: AAP

ROSEHILL

LEAN MEAN MACHINE

(Race 7, No 1, $5.50)

Three-year-old colt

(Zoustar-She’s Meaner)

Trainer: Chris Waller

Targets: Caulfield Guineas, Cox Plate

Sprinted sharply to win the Run To The Rose, downing strong opposition. Has always shaped as a potential top-liner and his performance to run down Graff last start was outstanding.

THE AUTUMN SUN

(Race 7, No 2, $3.90)

Three-year-old colt

(Redoute’s Choice-Azmiyna)

Trainer: Chris Waller

Targets: Caulfield Guineas, Cox Plate

Unlucky behind Tarka in the Stan Fox on heavy ground. Drops in distance but shapes as a rising star.

GRAFF

(Race 7, No 4, $3.40)

Three-year-old colt

(Star Witness-Dinkum Diamond)

Trainer: Kris Lees

Targets: Caulfield Guineas, Blue Sapphire.

Had excuses when run down by Lean Mean Machine to taste defeat for the first time. Better draw helps here and stable is in cracking form.

Super talent The Autumn Sun wins the Group 1 J.J. Atkins Plate during the Queensland winter.

TAB BIG BETS

20,000 @ $1.65 on From Within (Sunshine Coast Race 3)

$9500 @ $1.80 on Written By (Caulfield Race 3)

$7500 @ $2.30 on Domination (Morphettville Race 4)

$6250 @ $4.20 on Home Of The Brave (Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield)

$5000 @ $1.75 on Written By (Caulfield Race 3)