Four-Play, Quadzilla: $200 betting strategy for Boxing Day races at Caulfield Heath

Gilbert Gardiner presents his $200 betting strategy, plus quaddie selections, for Boxing Day racing at Caulfield Heath, where he’s tipping a promising galloper to get punters off to a cracking start.

Gilbert Gardiner thinks Stupendous can get punters off to a winning start in the first race at Caulfield Heath on Thursday. Picture: Ross Holburt / Racing Photos

Gilbert Gardiner presents his $200 betting strategy, plus quaddie selections, for Boxing Day racing at Caulfield Heath.

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FOUR-PLAY: $200 BETTING STRATEGY FOR CAULFIELD HEATH

RACE 1: BENCHMARK 70 (1800m)
• $50 win STUPENDOUS (5) at $3.70
Ridden confidently last start at The Valley and duly saluted to complete a hat-trick of wins. The lightly-raced four-year-old mare has won three of 12 and placed six times. Up in grade and distance but gets in light with apprentice Logan Bates claiming three kilograms. CYCLONE HARMONY (2) is a track and distance winner.

RACE 3: BENCHMARK 70 (1100m)
• $25 each-way LADY DI DI (3) at $6.50/$2
Solid effort first up at Caulfield, long way back but finished off well to run fifth, beaten less than two lengths. Too far out of ground again last start at Ballarat and could not make an impression in a leader dominated race. Ready to fire third up and has the in-form Daniel Stackhouse in the saddle. Respect MANTUA (4), hard fit and back in grade.

RACE 7: LISTED LORD STAKES (1600m)
• $25 each-way DASHING (1) at $8/$2.40
Ready to win with four starts under the belt. Took a couple runs to build the tank and past two appearances, third in the Cranbourne Cup and second in the Werribee Cup, full of merit. The tough Warrnambool-trained gelding has a kind draw and should be hard to get past. Dashing has won twice on the course proper previously so inner Heath circuit should not be an issue.

RACE 8: LISTED CHRISTMAS STAKES (1100m)
• $50 win MRS CHRISSIE (9) at $3
Looks her race to lose really. Not a great deal of depth and bar FICKLE (13) not a heap of upside in the remainder of the field. Loved the way MRS CHRISSIE (9) just cruisers up and put race away first up at Ballarat. Group 3 placed last campaign and would need only to repeat that performance to win this race quite comfortably. In-form jockey Craig Williams chose to ride Mrs Chrissie over Fickle, having ridden both to respective wins last start.

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QUADZILLA

LEG 1: RACE 5
ERSA (5) burst through to win last start at Caulfield Heath in fine style under a patient ride from apprentice Dakotah Keane. No reason why she cannot go on with the job here. KEEP YOUR COOL (3) won with authority down in grade at Werribee last start. In the right camp to win again. AUTUMN SLIDE (4) back on top of the ground must be respected. STYLISH (6) could bounce back hard also after not being suited to Heavy track last start.
1ST LEG 3, 4, 5, 6

LEG 2, RACE 6
ZIRYAB (6) won HIS first start in Australia and then went off the boil. Internationals typically go better again in second and third campaigns so watch market. VIENNA VIXEN (10) has her hoof on the till and should be ready to fire with four runs under the belt. ONE LONG DAY (5) has won three of four starts – cannot fault winning form. KING’S CAPITAL (4) has won two of three third up previously and twice successful at 1500m. Drawn out but experience edge over top contenders.
2ND LEG 4, 5, 6, 10

LEG 3, RACE 7
RIOT AND ROSE (2) is going for three on the trot after Wodonga and Werribee cup successes. The seven-year-old gelding is in great form and deserves top billing with Linda Meech aboard. DASHING (1) only knows how to run well. Drawn to be prominent from barrier five and should take a power of beating. PLACE OF GOLD (8) has slipped under punters’ guards the past two starts. Harder again but horse in form. BRITISH COLUMBIA (9) next best.
3RD LEG 1, 2, 8, 9

LEG 4, RACE 8
MRS CHRISSIE (9) won with authority first up at Ballarat to warrant a shot at the Christmas Stakes. Raced consistently last campaign and notched a Group 3 placing in the process. Bombproof mare around the mark more often than not. FICKLE (13) gets in light and track and distance winner last start. Only lightly race and loads of upside. Definite place chance. KATSU (6) has struggled to make an impression the past three starts, excuses potentially the first two runs, but best certainly good enough.
4TH LEG 6, 9, 13

CAULFIELD HEATH QUADDIE
Race 5: 3, 4, 5, 6
Race 6: 4, 5, 6, 10
Race 7: 1, 2, 8, 9
Race 8: 6, 9, 13
COST $100 FOR 52 per cent

CAULFIELD HEATH SKINNY QUADDIE
Start with AUTUMN SLIDE (4) and ERSA (5). In the second leg take ZIRYAB (6) and VIENNA VIXEN (10). Then in the third leg take DASHING (1), RIOT AND ROSE (2) and BRITISH COLUMBIA (9). Come home with MRS CHRISSIE (9) one out.

SKINNY QUADDIE
Race 5: 4, 5
Race 6: 6, 10
Race 7: 1, 2, 9
Race 8: 9
COST $100 FOR 555 per cent

Originally published as Four-Play, Quadzilla: $200 betting strategy for Boxing Day races at Caulfield Heath