Autumn Classic betting tips & top odds | Caulfield R5 | 20/2/2021
| What | 2021 Autumn Classic |
| Where | Caulfield Racecourse – Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145 |
| When | Saturday, February 20, 2021 | 3:00pm AEDT | Race 5 |
| Prizemoney | $200,000 |
| Distance | 1800m |
| Status | Group 2 |
| Race Conditions | Handicap; minimum weight 50kg; maidens ineligible |
| 2020 Winner | Adelaide Ace – 57kg (1) | Jockey: John Allen | Trainer: Lindsey Smith |
| Watch Live | |
Also read: Full Caulfield racing preview
2021 Autumn Classic betting preview – Saturday, February 20
The Group 2 Autumn Classic may get lost in the build up to the three Group 1 races on Saturday, but this year’s edition looks to be a belter. A field of 11 three-year-olds have assembled for the race over 1800m worth $200,000, and it looks a hard race to narrow down to one on top selection. The winner of the 2020 Autumn Classic was Adelaide Ace when a well backed favourite.
The speed in the race looks to come from the outsiders in the field. Adandiman (#8), Narvaez (#5) and Milton Park (#4) will look to set the pace. Whilst online bookmakers fancy Young Werther (#3) and Khoekhoe (#1) will be back towards the rear of the field and savaging the line late.
As soon as Butter Chicken (#11) broke her maiden at Pakenham on January 21, Grahame Begg was keen to get her into some black-type races this Autumn Carnival. She gets her chance in the Autumn Classic, and we are happy to side with her despite the big jump in class. With a majority of the market fancies wanting even further than 1800m, this race could be set up perfectly for Butter Chicken under Jamie Kah to charge home down the outside late and solidify herself as an up-and-coming star.
Young Werther (#3) is certainly the class runner in the field, although he has not returned to the winner’s stall since his debut win at Geelong on September 6. The 1400m Autumn Stakes was clearly too sharp for him first up, so the extra 400m here should see him put a better foot forward. He will settle towards the rear of the field and, if the brakes are applied throughout, could be the one swamping the leaders late. His second-up run last time suggested the 1800m will be ideal this time around, and he will be making his run late with the likes of Butter Chicken= and Khoekhoe (#1).
2021 Autumn Classic betting strategy
| $100 Betting Strategy | |
|---|---|
| $70 win: | #11 Butter Chicken |
| $30 boxed trifecta: | 1 – 3 – 11 |
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