Caulfield free race-by-race tips & quaddie | February 22, 2025

Race 1: HKJC World Pool Handicap (1100m)

Pondalowie was hitting the line strongly first-up at Sandown over 1000m. The four-year-old mare has placed in both second-up runs in her career, and with the step up to 1100m set to suit her, it shapes up perfectly for the Deep Field mare. With a strong finish, and Jett Stanley’s 2kg to assist her, Pondalowie will take a power of beating in the opener.

• 3
  

  PONDALOWIE

  Odds at Neds

• 7
  

  TONKIN

  Odds at BlondeBet

• 5
  

  SAMANGU

  Odds at Picklebet

• 2
  

  MRS CHRISSIE

  Odds at Dabble

Race 2: BM84 Handicap (1100m)

Chinqui was a dominant all-the-way winner on the Caulfield Heath track on February 10. The son of Harry Angel will jump from barrier three under Craig Williams, and with little early speed drawn underneath, he should not have to work too much to take up the running. If ‘Willow’ can hold the rail and gain a cheap sectional, Chinqui will take some running down.

• 11
  

  CHINQUI

  Odds at Neds

• 10
  

  GRONKOWSKI

  Odds at BlondeBet

• 7
  

  DON’T HOPE DO

  Odds at Picklebet

• 8
  

  TOP CALIBRE

  Odds at Dabble

Race 3: Group 3 Autumn Classic (1800m)

Emphasize got the better of his older rivals in BM70 grade at the Caulfield 2000m on February 8 and now drops back in trip in the Group 3 Autumn Classic. The son of Embellish was forced to sustain a long run 600m out from home, and despite being pressured late, he held the handy Inevitable Award relatively comfortably. He will gain a perfect run in transit from barrier three, and barring any bad luck, Emphasize should be winning again.

• 5
  

  EMPHASIZE

  Odds at Neds

• 3
  

  ENTRUSTING

  Odds at BlondeBet

• 4
  

  SHANWAH

  Odds at Picklebet

• 1
  

  SCARY

  Odds at Dabble

Race 4: Group 3 Zeditave Stakes (1200m)

Shadhavar wasn’t beaten far behind Arabian Summer in Group 3 company last time out. The Pride Of Dubai filly was forced to chase in the inferior ground back towards the rail, meaning the half-length defeat may be even better than what it reads. Jordan Childs will look to land the filly in the one-one from barrier eight, and if the pair can gain a touch of cover early, Shadhavar should prove hard to hold out in the 2025 Zeditave Stakes.

• 9
  

  SHADHAVAR

  Odds at Neds

• 1
  

  LOFTY ARCH

  Odds at BlondeBet

• 2
  

  TROPICUS

  Odds at Picklebet

• 3
  

  POLYGLOT

  Odds at Dabble

Race 5: Group 3 Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m)

If the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott barn has Too Darn Lizzie raring to go first-up from a three-month spell, she is sure to take some catching in the 2025 Angus Armanasco Stakes. Considering most of her main market rivals are looking for a bit further than 1400m, she looks well placed. Blake Shinn will take her to the front from barrier five, and considering she was an all-the-way winner in the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield in the spring, there is no reason she cannot repeat that result on Saturday.

• 2
  

  TOO DARN LIZZIE

  Odds at Neds

• 1
  

  TREASURETHE MOMENT

  Odds at BlondeBet

• 5
  

  BENAGIL

  Odds at Picklebet

• 8
  

  PERFECT PICTURE

  Odds at Dabble

Race 6: Group 3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m)

Coeur Volante found the 1200m too short first-up behind Oakleigh Plate fancy She’s Bulletproof, but the 1400m of the 2025 Mannerism Stakes second-up looks ideal. She is a two-time winner when having a run under her belt, while she is already a Group 2 winner at this track and trip. Blake Shinn will need a touch of luck to not get caught wide without cover from barrier nine, but if Coeur Volante is anywhere near her best, she can blow her rivals away.

• 6
  

  COEUR VOLANTE

  Odds at Neds

• 2
  

  GRINZINGER BELLE

  Odds at BlondeBet

• 4
  

  SEMANA

  Odds at Picklebet

• 8
  

  SO GLAMOROUS

  Odds at Dabble

Race 7: Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m)

Mr Brightside was massive in defeat in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) last time out when nosed out by Another Wil. It was close to five lengths back to Steparty back in third, which underlines just how good the run looked. He has five wins and a runner-up finish from seven second-up runs, so if that last start hasn’t taken too much out of him, Mr B looks set to defend his Futurity crown and register a ninth Group 1 win.

• 1
  

  MR BRIGHTSIDE

  Odds at Neds

• 4
  

  TOM KITTEN

  Odds at BlondeBet

• 2
  

  I WISH I WIN

  Odds at Picklebet

• 3
  

  PERICLES

  Odds at Dabble

Race 8: Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m)

A field of 16 juveniles will battle it out in Saturday’s feature, the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes. At $5 the field with horse racing bookmakers, the 2025 edition of Melbourne’s premier juvenile race shapes as one of the more even contests in recent years.

Click here for our full preview of the 2025 Blue Diamond Stakes

Race 9: Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m)

Jimmysstar comes to the time-honoured Oakleigh Plate first-up from a three-month spell, but with four wins and a second from five fresh runs in his career, it is clear he doesn’t take long to come to hand. The son of Per Incanto produced a barnstorming finish to salute when fresh at this track and trip last campaign, and if Ethan Brown can find a back to follow in the three-wide line from barrier 14, then Jimmysstar presents great each-way value with BlondeBet.

• 7
  

  JIMMYSSTAR

  Odds at Neds

• 2
  

  ESTRIELLA

  Odds at BlondeBet

• 15
  

  SHE’S BULLETPROOF

  Odds at Picklebet

• 16
  

  ARABIAN SUMMER

  Odds at Dabble

Race 10: Listed Victoria Gold Cup (2000m)

Although Dashing Duchess finished 3.7 lengths off Duke De Sessa in the Group 3 JRA Plate (1600m), it was an eye-catching run that suggested she would be worth following next time around. She is already a two-time winner at the 2000m, including her maiden victory in September 2023 when second-up from a spell. Jamie Melham will look to give her an economical run from barrier six, and if Dashing Duchess runs close to what she is capable of, the $7.50 with horse betting sites looks great value in the Caulfield finale.

• 8
  

  DASHING DUCHESS

  Odds at Neds

• 1
  

  DENY KNOWLEDGE

  Odds at BlondeBet

• 2
  

  SMOKIN’ ROMANS

  Odds at Picklebet

• 10
  

  SHAIYHAR

  Odds at Dabble