Brad Waters’ horses to follow from Caulfield on Saturday

Form expert Brad Waters analyses Saturday’s Caulfield meeting, revealing his horses to follow as well as three to forgive from the nine-race card.

Co-trainer Katherine Coleman celebrates with Saturday’s Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes winner Bridal Waltz. Picture: Getty Images.

News Corp racing writer Brad Waters runs his eye over Saturday’s meeting at Caulfield, finding five horses to follow and some to forgive from the card.

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FIVE TO FOLLOW:

SHYSTAR (1.2 length 3rd of 8, Race 1): Shystar stepped out for her second run this time in and did well to be beaten just over a length by unbeaten filly Ole Dancers. The Phillip Stokes-trained Shystar pushed forward raced handy to the speed and gave something in the straight before proving no match for the first two. She did well on the inside, which was later shown to be against the pattern of the day. There’s a win in her soon.

GALA QUEEN (1.7-length 5th of 10, Race 2): Another runner from the Phillip Stokes stable that showed she was in for a good preparation with her first-up fifth at Caulfield. Gala Queen settled midfield but had a bit of trouble getting clear running on a couple of occasions in the straight before making ground in the last 100m. She should have placed and can improve off that pleasing first-up run.

VERONA RUPES (1.2-length 2nd of 16, Race 4): The Patrick and Michelle Payne-trained Verona Rupes is a promising young stayer learning his craft and gave a great sight when leading until the last 75m in first crack at 2400m. Jockey Luke Cartwright rated him well but Verona Rupes showed heart to comfortably beat all but the winner Stylish Secret. Verona Rupes turns four at the end of the week and could find himself in an easier race with a light weight in the coming weeks. He can break through soon.

VAIN CHAMPAGNE 🍾🥂

A big finish to the first leg of the Quaddie at Caulfield, and you've done well if you're still in it! @decbates with a brilliant swooping ride âš¡âš¡ pic.twitter.com/j5xQd4N8lr

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) July 26, 2025

SUN SETTING (0.86-length 4th of 11 Race 6): It could be argued the Matt Laurie-trained Sun Setting should have won at Caulfield on Saturday. What is beyond argument is the fact she was desperately unlucky when badly held up for most of the straight before closing late to get within a length of the winner. The stewards report noted Sun Setting was held up from the 500m until the 100m, costing her any winning chance.

NEWLOOK (1.9 length 7th of 11, Race 7): A most encouraging local debut from the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained import. He won his last three starts over longer trips in France before his transfer to Australia where he won a Wangaratta trial on July 7. He started his local campaign over 1600m, over which he has never raced, getting back in the field before working home solidly to be beaten less than two lengths, indicating Busuttin and Young have something to work with.

El Rocko does it all!

Brilliant frontrunning ride from @stanley_jett as the tough gelding records his seventh career win 💪 pic.twitter.com/geTXEsUQoo

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) July 26, 2025

PLEASE FORGIVE:

VERDOUX (0.5-length 2nd of 10, Race 2): The lightly-raced Verdoux started favourite and gave a good sight before going down by a half-length behind Pop Award. Verdoux was stepping up in class at Caulfield but was slowly away and raced keenly in the early and middle stages under jockey Blake Shinn. Verdoux can repay loyal punters next time out.

JIMMY THE BEAR (0.1-length 2nd of 5, Race 3): Jimmy The Bear was a beaten odds-on favourite but tried his heart out in his narrow defeat in the VOBIS Gold Stayers. He gave the winner Dictionary 2kg and just couldn’t get past the winner without the blinkers, which were removed for this run. He also pulled up with a touch of exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage, which could have affected his performance.

EARLSWOOD (3.8-length 11th of 11, Race 7): Earlswood failed to beat a runner home as a $5.50 chance but his performance can be forgiven. Despite finishing last, Earlswood was beaten less than four lengths but a later examination revealed he pulled up lame in his near foreleg.

Bridal Waltz takes the Bletchingly👰💃

The filly beats the older horses in the Group 3, what a training performance from @moodyracingpgm and @kscoleman! pic.twitter.com/4AXfmA7RKh

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) July 26, 2025

STEWARDS SAY:

CHERISH ME (Sixth Race 1) – Rider Craig Williams reported the filly raced greenly. Held up from the 400m to the 250m.

MOONHAVEN (Fourth Race 2) – Slow to begin & held up for clear running from the 200m to the 100m.

LUNA CAT (Third Race 2) – Held up for clear running from the 500m until near the 200m.

Jockey Ben Melham suspended for seven meetings for using the whip twice more than allowed before the 100m on Jimmy The Bear in Race 3.

AMERICAN WOLF (11th Race 4) – Pulled up lame in the near foreleg.

SALSA FELLOW (late scratching from Race 5) – Scratched after being involved in a float accident on the way to Caulfield.

ELECTRIC TOMMY (8th Race 5) – Slow recovery.

AREYOUREADYFORIT (late scratching from Race 6) – Scratched after being involved in a float accident on the way to Caulfield.

KEENI (8th Race 6) – Held up in the last 200m & unable to be fully tested in the straight.

BARAQIEL – Late scratching from Race 8 after being deemed to be lame in the near foreleg.

KEEP YOUR COOL (11th Race 9) – Lame near foreleg.

TRUE TO FORM (13th Race 9) – Lame near foreleg & bilaterally lame behind.