Caulfield Preview & Best Bets – Saturday July 8

Adam Cusworth

in Caulfield 6 Jul 2023

Our form expert provides Caulfield tips for today’s horse racing at Caulfield Racecourse and gives his best bets.

Caulfield Tips 8/7/2023

BEST BET 🏆 (WIN)

Race 5 No. 3 RIVERPLATE- ($4.25)

RIVERPLATE can make it back to back wins when he steps out in Race 5. The four-year-old resumed with a win at Sandown on June 14 over the 1300m ahead of Just Johnno, settling handy before taking over at the top of the straight to go 4.9 lengths faster than standard benchmark, which is the second best last start benchmark figure of any runner. He should have improvement to come at his second start this time in and improved four lengths at this stage last time to set a career personal best when going nine length faster than standard to win at Sandown. The son of Flying Artie has the early speed to push across from the barrier and will take some beating at the business end.

NEXT BEST 🥈 (WIN)

Race 4 No 6 HAZEL BABY ($4.60)

Willing to give HAZEL BABY another chance in Race 4. The Maher/Eustace filly won two on the trot then lined up over the 1400m here on June 24, finishing 5th to Lounge Bar Rubi. She settled leaders back and was held up before chasing steadily on the rails, which was not the place to be at that stage of the day.The daughter of Toronado went 5.7 lengths faster than standard benchmark in that race, which is a better figure than what any runner in this race has produced. She went seven lengths faster than standard at her start prior. Look for her to settle in the running line from barrier 10 and be hard to beat late in the piece.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 8 No. 13 SIGH- ($5.30)

Sticking with SIGH in the Group 3 John Monash Stakes. The Peter Moody-trained galloper did the job for us over the 1100m at Flemington on June 17, making it five wins from eight starts. In the June 17 race, the four-year-old settled back in the small field before finding the line well to edge out General Beau late in the piece, going 11.2 lengths faster than standard benchmark, which are the best last start figures of any runner. At her previous third up run she was a four length improver on benchmark figures. The daughter of No Nay Never is yet to fire at Caulfield but has come back a more mature horse. Carleen Hefel rides and combines well with the stable, striking at 20%.

BEST VALUE 💰(EACH-WAY)

Race 6 No 3 POLAND- ($6)

POLAND can go close in Race 6. The Mike Moroney-trained galloper resumed over the 1100m at Flemington on June 17 and settled up front before just lacking the dash at the business end over the unsuitable trip. He has a moderate win strike rate but was excellent in stronger company than this at his last campaign and was rarely far away after his first up run. Step up to the distance suits and the son of So You Think saves ground with the 2kg claiming apprentice, Wiremu Pinn, to ride.