Spring futures betting tips from Caulfield Guineas day
CAULFIELD Guineas day provided plenty of excitement on Saturday and it was a day where the punters took the bookmakers to the cleaners.
Eight of the 10 races on the Caulfield card were won by favourites and most of them were well backed by some knowledgeable punters. Notable wins included Chetwood which dropped from $2.50 to $1.80 and also Star Turn ($2.10 with CrownBet) which won the Schillaci Stakes in fine style.
All of the favoured runners are horses to watch later this spring, but there were some runners in behind the winners which are worth following for the rest of the season.
Finding the best value in the futures market is all about identifying horses which are being set for a big race and there were a few runners out of Caulfield which caught the eye.
Seaburge and Hey Doc
Seaburge (second) and Hey Doc (third) finished in behind Divine Prophet in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas, but they are worth following this Saturday in the Group 1 Caulfield Classic.
Seaburge is the current $4.40 favourite at Sportsbet which is indicative of its class. The son of Sebring is a Sires’ Produce winner from earlier in the year and it looks to have returned to its best form on Saturday at Caulfield.
Trainer David Hayes and Tom Dabernig are expecting a big run in the Caulfield Classic and it should be winning a race during the Melbourne spring carnival.
Hey Doc finished off well for third and although a Group one appears at the end of its reach, it hasn’t put a foot wrong all season which has included three consecutive wins.
The Tony McEvoy-trained gelding won the Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley two starts back and it has the ability to put itself on the speed and kick strongly.
It is well over the odds at $17 with Sportsbet for the Caulfield Classic which is better value than the $13 being offered at CrownBet.
So Si Bon
So Si Bon also comes out of the Caulfield Guineas, but it has been set for one target and punters should have been pleased with its effort.
The Robbie Laing-trained colt ran fifth in the Caulfield Guineas, only 1.9 lengths behind the winner, which was an incredible run for a colt being set for the Victoria Derby on October 29.
The son of Lonhro will relish the step up from the mile to the 2500m and it has been set for this race since it resumed with a win at Pakenham this campaign.
The expensive $250,000 colt is on the fourth line of betting at $9 and it appears to have more staying ability than the favoured runners at the top of the market.
Sacred Elixir and Swear are the current $7 favourites, but both are better suited to 1600-2000m and past winners of the Victoria Derby are noted stayers without a great turn-of-foot.
This plays right into So Si Bon’s hands so take the $9 available with Sportsbet before bookmakers shorten it any further.
Ocean Embers
Ocean Embers has come a long way this campaign and its effort for fourth in the Schillaci Stakes is another step in the right direction.
The Shea Eden-trained mare was only a $23,000 sales purchase and has already won over $230,000 in prizemoney. The four-year-old is entered for the Group 1 Darley Classic and we’re not saying it will win it, but it has a big win in store this season.
It’s currently $21 to win and $6 to place at CrownBet for the Darley Classic on November 5, but with possible rivals such as Chautauqua and Extreme Choice, it might pay to wait for the final acceptances before betting on Ocean Embers.
If it doesn’t line up in the Darley Classic, expect it to be very competitive throughout the carnival.