Press Statement the dominant favourite for 2015 Caulfield Guineas
SEVENTEEN colts and geldings have been accepted for the $1 million Group 1 Caulfield Guineas this Saturday where Press Statement holds sway in the betting.
The feature three-year-old race at Caulfield is run over 1600 metres and the past winners list contains some of Australia’s best young horses.
The likes of Shooting To Win and Long John have taken the last two Caulfield Guineas, whilst All Too Hard increased its stud value with a win in 2012.
Supreme thoroughbreds Helmut, Whobegotyou and Weekend Hustler are all previous winners and champion racehorse Lonhro won in 2001 before embarking on a hall-of-fame career.
There is good potential for the 17 runners in the 2015 edition where the Chris Waller-trained Press Statement is the current $2.25 favourite with bookmakers, but it will have to do some work after drawing barrier 14 earlier this week.
2015 Caulfield Guineas field, barrier draw and odds
1. Press Statement (14) – $2.25
2. Odyssey Moon (13) – $41
3. Ready For Victory (4) – $9
4. Rageese (14) – $26
5. Dal Cielo (8) – $9
6. Bon Aurum (10) – $17
7. Shards (12) – $21
8. Sovereign Nation (1) – $26
9. Bassett (9) – $13
10. Last Bullet (6) – $26
11. Lizard Island (2) – $34
12. Kentucky Flyer (5) – $81
13. Tarzino (3) – $11
14. Snoopy (11) – $34
15. Tulsa (16) – $13
16. More Than Most (7) – $101
17. Mr Individual (17) – $34
Mick Price has a two-pronged attack with Ready For Victory and Tarzino which was a very strong last start winner at Caulfield.
The son of Tavistock has now won two from three and it looks a natural improver over the longer distances as the dam is by stayer-producer Zabeel.
It is currently on the fourth line of betting at $11 and whilst it is giving away class to the likes of Press Statement and Ready For Victory, drawing barrier three has helped its chances significantly.
Waller confident with favourite after Stan Fox win
After jockey Tye Angland gave Press Statement a shocking ride in the Group 1 Golden Rose last month, trainer Chris Waller was happy to see it cruise to victory in the Stan Fox Stakes a fortnight ago.
The current 2015 Caulfield Guineas favourite got right back on target with Hugh Bowman in the saddle and Waller is now confident it can tackle the big Group 1 this Saturday at Caulfield.
“I was confused after his last start, not because of the interference but because I thought, ‘geez, is he going as well as I think he is?’ We can go to Melbourne with a bit of confidence now.”
Press Statement was a three-length winner last time out over Guineas race-rivals Shards ($21) and Rageese ($26). Waller believes the rise in distance will suit nicely and jockey Hugh Bowman is confident it is a Group 1 winner in the making.
“I think a mile will really suit him and the pressure of a Caulfield Guineas will really suit him,” Waller said.
“He feels like a Group 1 horse to me,” Bowman said.
“I know today is 1500 metres, but I’m looking forward to a tough mile. I think he will really enjoy it.”
Press Statement firmed into $3.20 following the Stan Fox Stakes, but the field hasn’t attracted many of the big guns and its odds got trimmed accordingly.
On the second line of betting at $9 is both Ready For Victory and Dal Cielo. The Mick Price-trained Ready For Victory has yet to win this campaign after looking promising last season.
The three-year-old finished fourth behind Vancouver in the Group 1 Golden Slipper and it should have finished closer after running erratically in the straight.
Big things were expected this campaign, but after three runs questions are being asked. It finished ninth in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude last week when starting as the favourite, but the rise up in distance could be what it’s looking for.
Dal Cielo is a New Zealand runner which looked good when third last start. Bookmakers have kept it safe in the market despite having only its second run in Australia for trainer Murray Baker.
Price duo work well ahead of Guineas
Mick Price believes he has Ready For Victory “cherry ripe” for the Caulfield Guineas this Saturday.
The colt ran with stablemate Tarzino in 1:22.35 over 1200 metres in a workout and Price is confident it can add a black-type win to its record.
“He worked in blinkers on Saturday morning and again this morning and I think he will do everything right on the day. He’s cherry ripe,” Price said.
Ready For Victory stormed home in 23.61 seconds for its last 400 metres which has given punters some confidence. It is currently at $9 which is a much better price than punters have been getting for it lately, but improvement will be needed to overhaul Press Statement.
For Tarzino, the Victorian Derby looks a more fitting race, but Price said a potential fast-paced race will suit the lightly tried runner.
“Craig Newitt [jockey] is very optimistic about Tarzino if there is a fast pace, which I’m sure there will be in the Guineas,” Price said.
“I think I have my best two chances ever in a Guineas.”
Peter Moody lines up last start winner Bassett in the Caulfield Guineas which is stepping up from 1100 metres to the mile on Saturday.
“I know it’s a massive ask for Bassett to step up from 1100 metres straight to 1600 metres but he did it without luck in Queensland in the winter,” Moody said.
“I think Press Statement is at the top of the tree but then I think there is Bassett and then below him a group of others.
“He deserves his chance. He is in good shape.”
Bassett ran 1:29.18 over 1200 metres alongside stablemate and Thousand Guineas entrant Pasadena Girl.