Group 1 previews

The Thoroughbred’s exclusive Group 1 speed maps and previews for Caulfield on Saturday:

The races featured are the Futurity Stakes (race 5), Oakleigh Plate (race 6) and the Blue Diamond Stakes (race seven)

Danny Power’s full preview (including detailed comments on all runners), markets, tips and recommended betting play available courtesy of BETFAIR:

FUTURITY STAKES

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TEMPO – MODERATE

The tactics of Nash Rawiller on More Joyous is the key to the tempo.

More Joyous has “sprinter-like” gate speed if asked, so Rawiller has the option of kicking through from barrier one to lead, and from there he can dictate the tempo of the race.

I doubt Rawiller will want to risk More Joyous sitting behind the pace – if he does, then he will have Doubtful Jack as the horse to follow. I doubt Doubtful Jack will charge along in front, so I am confident this race will bit a sit-sprint affair. I also expect King Mufhasa will roll forward – he is another option to lead.

That will make it harder for Whobegotyou (pictured), who from barrier 10 will go back and will be giving the leaders five or six lengths start from the 500m.

OAKLEIGH PLATE

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TEMPO – GOOD/FAST

There is a heap of competitive speed in the Oakleigh Plate, as there should be in a handicap with 18 starters.

The very slick Undeniably should pounce on the fence in front from barrier 3, while Solar Charged (barrier 1) will kick up and Avenue (11) and Faster Son (17) will come across from wide out.

Faster Son, with blinkers on, is the horse that will be charging, and I see him ensuring that the pace won’t slacken.

I can see this race being set up for the late-closing sprinters such as Catapulted, Eagle Falls and Set For Fame.

BLUE DIAMOND STAKES

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TEMPO – MODERATE

Not a lot of competitive speed here. The Sydney filly Anevay is the natural leader, and I don’t see that any other horse will contest it with her.

This should allow Sepoy to kick through to be on the pace from barrier five. Jockey Kerrin McEvoy has the option of holding his place without cover, or to ease and take a trail on Metonymy, drawn on his outside, who also will push forward. I doubt McEvoy will want to sit on an “outsider” when he has a good, in-form speedy filly in Anevay to tow him into the race.

This lack of pressure up front will make it tough for horses that settle back in the field, particularly Grand Britannia and Delago’s Lad, the best of the run-on horses.

Look for Atomic, who raced back at his winning debut at Sandown, and Mick Price’s promising filly Holdontoyahorse, also a back runner in her three starts, to be ridden closer over this 1200-metre distance.