Ken Callander: Two Spurs can dig in for punters in Melbourne

Australia's favourite tipster Ken Callander likes the look of a couple of Spurs - Hawkspur and Spurtonic, to deliver for punters this afternoon.

Hawkspur relaxes and takes a roll in the sand ahead of the Caulfield Cup. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

HAWKSPUR, the punters' favourite and one of the four Chris Waller runners in the race, is my pick to win today's G1 Caulfield Cup.

If you have been put off by the horse drawing 16 at the barrier you should remember his jockey Jim Cassidy won the G1 Golden Rose five weeks ago on Zoustar who drew 16 of 16. Hawkspur's recent form has been first rate and he was as unlucky as a horse can be when fifth in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington at his latest run.

Hawkspur's main danger could be his stablemate Royal Descent to be ridden by Gai Waterhouse's discarded jockey Nash Rawiller. Royal Descent will be having only her second start at 2400m and she won the previous one, the ATC Oaks, by 10 lengths.

Race 1 (1.07) Randwick

Betting: $2.35 Alpha Miss, $5 Miss Sakkara, $6 Chief Of The Clan, $8 Double Happy

Comment: I am a big believer in racing bringing two-year-olds on and Alpha Miss, an impressive winner of the Gimcrack Stakes, is definitely the one to beat. Double Happy and Miss Sakkara at W. Farm and Chief Of The Clan at Canberra have all won trials in good style and Candelara and Precia will both improve on their runs in the Gimcrack where they covered plenty of ground.

Bet: 6 Alpha Miss

Exotics: Quinella 3 Chief Of The Clan, 6 Alpha Miss

Hawkspur relaxes and takes a roll in the sand ahead of the Caulfield Cup. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Race 2 (1.42)

Betting: $3.60 Kirramosa, $6 Gamblestown, Vitello, Best Case, $8 Suadela, $9 Fuerza

Comment: Tricky race with the Waterhouse pair, Vitello and Suadela, the likely leaders. Kirramosa will appreciate 1600m and hit the line well and Gamblestown, who is backing up after a super run last week, will also hit the line hard. Best Case has some potential, but there was also a lot to like about the Newcastle maiden win of Fields Of Tuscany, who could be a big improver.

Bet: 7 Fields Of Tuscany

Exotics: Box quinella 2 Gamblestown, 3 Kirramosa, 7 Fields Of Tuscany

Race 3 (2.17)

Betting: $1.80 Barbed, $5 Boss Lane, $6.50 Sir Moments, Dothraki, $7 Mr Jackman

Comment: Barbed brought off a plunge here on Sep. 21 and then ran second to crack colt Zoustar on Oct. 5 when his run was good. Looks the winner although he could find it tricky getting the right spot in the run. Mr Jackman and Boss Lane are the likely leaders and the others lining up behind. Mr Jackman could be second pick ahead of the lightly raced Boss Line.

Bet: 2 Barbed

Exotics: Quinella 2 Barbed, 4 Mr Jackman

Darley horse Barbed (left) has been in top form for trainer Peter Snowden. Picture: Mark Evans

Race 4 (2.52)

Betting: $2.30 Leebaz, $3.40 Index Linked, $5.50 Generalife, $7.50 Toffler

Comment: On Oct. 7 Leebaz led without pressure over 1550m and won clearly from Index Linked, who came from well back and made up heaps of ground. Leebaz has won three in a row, but I think Index Linked can improved enough to beat him. Generalife is going well and cannot be ignored with Toffler also worth a thought. Done Nothin' Wrong, well weighted, is the pick of the roughies.

Bet: 4 Index Linked

Exotics: Box trifecta 2 Generalife, 3 Done Nothin' Wrong, 4 Index Linked, 8 Leebaz

Race 5 (3.27)

Betting: $3 Ichihara, $3.40 Famous Seamus, $6 Unanimously, $8 Didntcostalot, Ninth Legion

Comment: Speed will be on with Ichihara and Welkom Gold zipping along and Chiaramonte and Golden Sunshine also up there. This should suit the big finish of Famous Seamus, who came from well back to finish third to Arinosa in the Premiere Stakes. Ichihara could be the pick of the speed horses.

Bet: 1 Famous Seamus

Exotics: Box trifecta 1 Famous Seamus, 3 Unanimously, 4 Ichihara, 6 Chiaramonte

Riva De Lago is one of Chris Waller's three chances in the City Tattersalls Club Handicap at Randwick.

Race 6 (4.02)

Betting: $4 Vaquera, $5 Kingdoms, $5.50 Ironstein, Hippopus, $7 Ghost Protocol

Comment: Vaquera has come to the fore quickly after her Brisbane winter campaign with a win in the Tibbie (1400m) at Newcastle and a good third to Honorius in the Randwick Craven Plate (2000m). This distance won't be against her with Ironstein, up in weight, but a good fourth in The Metropolitan, hardest to beat.

Bet: 4 Vaquera

Exotics: Box trifecta 1 Ironstein, 3 Polish Knight, 4 Vaquera, 7 Hippopus

Race 7 (4.37)

Betting: $3 Hidden Warrior, $4.60 Riva De Lago, $5.50 Disciple, $8.50 Coup Ay Tee

Comment: Chris Waller holds a big hand with three of the four favourites, Riva De Lago, Disciple and Coup Ay Tee. I prefer Riva De Lago who killed Solzhenitsyn in the Theo Marks before running a passable race in the Epsom. Hidden Warrior could get a soft run on the pace.

Bet: 1 Riva De Lago

Exotics: Box trifecta 1 Riva De Lago, 5 Hidden Warrior, 7 Strike The Stars, 8 Disciple

Race 8 (5.15)

Betting: $2.40 She's Clean, $4.80 Driefontein, $6 Gamba, $11 Emotional Circus

Comment: There should be enough pace from Just A Girl, Golden Sunshine and Driefontein for the classy She's Clean to build on her three start Randwick record of two wins and an eye-catching fifth to Arinosa last start. Driefontein is second pick.

Bet: 3 She's Clean

Exotics: Box trifecta 1 Driefontein, 3 She's Clean, 6 Emotional Circus, 9 Gamba

Spurtonic was a terrific run in the Group 1 Epsom and will be one to watch in the David Jones Cup.

WHO'S HOT

The Peter Snowden-trained Barbed has firmed from $2.10 to $1.80 with some big bets on him in the third at Randwick.

WHO'S NOT

Allan Denham's Ichihara is a classy mare, but she looks at short odds at $3 in the City Tatts Lightning at Randwick.

DROP A HINT

Epsom winner Boban has a bit against him with a wide alley and a big weight in R6 at Caulfield, but that should only get us a better price.

EYE CATCHER

Spurtonic caught the eye when fourth in the Epsom. Watch him go up to 2000m with Bossy on top in R8 at Caulfield.