Caulfield Racing Tips: Manfred Stakes

Manfred Stakes 1200m – Group 3

Perfect conditions predicted for Caulfield where a strong field is set to line up for the Group 3 Manfred Stakes over 1200m.

We have a field of 12 after the scratching of Prince Of Brooklyn and the pace looks like it will come from the Hawkes runner Top Me Up who should use barrier 2 to kick up and hold the rail. Golden Spin has won his last 4 races and in two of those he has led so I expect he will try and cross from barrier 10 to either lead or sit outside Top Me Up.

This leaves Vostok to take up his usual position in the box seat from barrier 3 and if Palentino jumps cleanly we may well see him settle a touch closer from barrier 6. Ready For Victory is another that could settle closer than normal in midfield, Bon Aurum won’t get too far back, while Gold Symphony and Tokyo Tycoon may need luck from wide barriers if they try to slot in somewhere.

Sovereign Nation, Patch Adams, Tulsa and Puritan could be the backmarkers.

GOLD SYMPHONY clearly has the talent but he was extremely disappointing first up and as a consequence he wears the blinkers for the first time here. Will need plenty of luck from barrier 13 but his odds look big for a horse that’s won 3 out of his 5 races.

Mick Price has chosen to scratch Prince Of Brooklyn which leaves him with READY FOR VICTORY as his only runner. He hasn’t quite lived up to the hype just yet but 1200m suits him better than a few others here and if the money comes for him it could suggest he’s ready to break through.

PALENTINO shot through the grades last prep, culminating in a victory at Flemington over 1400m in a Stakes race. Ultimately I think he’ll end up best over 1600m and the 1200m may be a touch short, but he’s got a pretty big spruik on him and the money will tell the story pre-race.

Both GOLDEN SPIN and VOSTOK have won all three starts this preparation. THe Freedman trained Golden Spin has won his last two starts over this course and distance and couldn’t have been more impressive last start, while Vostok resumes from a 45 day break for Peter Moody and will get the run of the race from barrier 3.

A couple to watch at longer odds could be Caulfield Guineas Prelude runner-up TULSA and the Jason Warren trained PURITAN. Tulsa is obviously going to be better suited over further but reports suggest he’s going very well and he has won over 1100m so don’t be surprised to see a big showing here. Puritan, on the other hand, has won a trail pretty impressively leading into this and if the money is put on a Jason Warren runner it’s rarely wrong.

This is a really tough race and I reckon the pre-race betting will tell you exactly what you need to know. Mick Price, Lee Freedman, Jason Warren and Darren Weir horses very rarely run well when they drift in the market, and when the money comes for them it is generally spot on.

Despite the less than ideal distance, Palentino is destined for better races so I’m siding with his class to prevail. Golden Spin is fit and flying but the work from barrier 10 he will need to do could catch him out at the end. Tulsa is reportedly flying and Ready For Victory is always thereabouts in these races. Puritan another to watch.

1st PALENTINO ($5.00 at William Hill)
2nd GOLDEN SPIN ($3.80 at William Hill)
3rd READY FOR VICTORY ($7.00 at William Hill)
4th TULSA ($9.00 at William Hill)