THE HEATH 1100 STAKES - 1100m, Caulfield R8

This looks to be one of the better “Heath 1100” fields assembled in recent years, and should produce a great contest over the same track and distance as the famous Oakleigh Plate.

Asfoora has come up favourite here, and well she might. The owner of only 11 starts, she’s a seriously talented mare that ticks a lot of boxes. She excels first-up, loves Caulfield, loves 1100m, goes just as well on good or soft, and has drawn barrier 3 to sit where she likes. Last campaign she got beaten around a length in both the Oakleigh Plate and The Galaxy, which has her as the one to beat.

The mares might have this race covered, with Bella Nipotina second-elect. The last 12 months has seen her win a Group 1 and run a place in four others if we include The $4M Quokka in Perth. Barrier 15 might be her undoing, and you’d have her on top if swapping gates with Asfoora.

While Asfoora and Bella Nipotina, at five and six respectively, are the horses to beat, two younger mares can also make their presence felt as new season four-year-old’s.

Magic Time is the most untapped talent in the field, only having four starts as a three-year-old and winning three of them. If she’s made the right progression, she’s a classy individual and could test these.

Wee Nessy looks the overs of the field. The last time we saw her, she was only a length or less behind the likes of subsequent Group 1 winner Royal Merchant, highly regarded Godolphin star Aft Cabin, and Parisal, who ran second to Magic Time in the autumn, and won a Group 3 two weeks ago.

Of the others, Sigh is rock-hard fit and is the classic “mare in form”. Express Pass is capable on his day at an enormous price. Ingratiating, Kallos and Generation will also have admirers, and the race doesn’t stop there.

Selections: 1.Asfoora 2.Bella Nipotina 3.Magic Time 4.Wee Nessy

Cameron rose's Tip

ASFOORA

WIN

The Mccafe Stakes 02 September 16:15

6. Asfoora

Win

Place

* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds

COCKRAM STAKES - 1200m, Caulfield R7

The Cockram Stakes is always a good mares race, and you’ll find the form usually stacks up well going into the spring, particularly for those looking to step up to 1400m and 1600m.

Benedetta is a bit of a spruik horse, with many thinking she can get to Group 1 level as a sprinter. After four wins at three, she resumed as a four-year-old by beating a handy field down the straight at Flemington early in August. She wasn’t fully wound up, will no doubt strip much fitter than she did that day, and we don’t know how much more upside is still to come.

C’est Magique is the interesting runner, one of two such types for Grahame Begg on the day. She’s only had four career starts herself, and while only having the one win to her name, the last time we saw her she ran second in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, splitting In Secret and Buenos Noches – we are likely to see those two in the Everest in six weeks time.

Parisal was a smart three-year-old herself, and proved her quality in winning the Toy Show up in Sydney first-up. She has race fitness on her side, following on from the benefit of two trials, and James Cummings clearly has her ready to roll in the early part of the spring while her key rivals are resuming.

Espiona is the class runner of the field, and has the weight accordingly. Chris Waller doesn’t usually have this sort of horse ready to go first-up, but we will surely see her running on nicely with a view to an Epsom or Toorak Handicap down the track.

Selections: 1.Benedetta 2.C’est Magique 3.Parisal 4.Espiona

Cameron rose's Tip

BENEDETTA

WIN

Tobin Brothers Cockram Stakes 02 September 15:35

7. Benedetta

Win

Place

* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds

HEATHERLIE STAKES - 1700m, Caulfield R6

The Heatherlie is always an interesting race, and has become the kick-off point for many a stayer looking to work their way into Cups contention. It’s rare they are primed to win, and the 1700m distance lends itself to a fit, in-form miler when looking for a winner.

Jimmy The Bear jumped favourite in this race last year, finishing a close third, and is coming off a similar preparation this time around. He’s a good honest horse at this distance range, is drawn to get a favourable midfield run, and always appeals as a nice each-way option.

Makram can be a hard horse to catch, but has also proven to have devastating second-up form in his time in Australia. He failed to come up earlier this year, but put the writing on the wall last start with a pleasing effort that was better than it looks on paper. He meets Jimmy The Bear 2kg’s better for that run, and has more upside, but will have a hard time from the widest gate.

Frankie Pinot, Junipal, The Summit and Flash Flood are others that can be extremely effective at this distance range.

Frankie Pinot is always a solid performer in this grade, albeit can mix his form a fraction, but is versatile enough that he may go forward here and give the field something to catch. Junipal could be ready to strike his best form once more, but will need the cut out. The Summit just got the better of him last time.

Flash Flood was on a classic Maher/Eustace winning streak between 1600-2040m, before being beaten by a very good stablemate last start. He drops back to 1700m, but is extremely fit and sure to run well. It will be a surprise if he doesn’t measure up.

Selections: 1.Makram 2. Flash Flood 3.Jimmy The Bear 4.Frankie Pinot

Cameron rose's Tip

MAKRAM

EACH-WAY

Tile Importer Heatherlie Hcp 02 September 14:55

12. Makram

Win

Place

* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds

MCNEIL STAKES - 1200m, Caulfield R5

The McNeil is another great stakes race on the Caulfield program, and you’ll usually find a good three-year-old or two from it, that wins bigger races as the season progresses. It’s hard to win these early season three-year-old races with big penalties, and it usually pays to look at those on the minimum or thereabouts.

With that in mind, Legacies looks a nice each-way play as the only filly in the field. She only has two career starts under her belt, winning both of them, including at Listed race by four and a half lengths. The booking of Jamie Kah looks pivotal as Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman look to the future spring riches on offer.

Hedged is coming off a big win in a Seymour maiden, but that race might have had some depth to it, and he could be the big improver arriving fresh on the scene. He’s certainly drawn to perfection, in order to show what ability he’s got.

Barber and Little Brose are the class runners, but do have to carry a bit of weight.

Barber has had two trials without excelling, and may have been a two-year-old that peaked early in his career. Little Brose was one of many runners in the blanket finish of the Vain Stakes two weeks ago, which puts a little query over that form.

Coincide and Le Zebra are the two likely leaders, and present at double figure odds. Their racing style alone gives them a chance, as long as they don’t cut each other up. The former has had three runs this prep and is building a nice profile, while the latter is from an unheralded stable and is probably double the odds he should be, but doesn’t have a tricky gate to contend with. Getting on the right leader at Caulfield, in the right race, can often be a profitable exercise.

Selections: 1.Coincide 2.Legacies 3.Hedged 4.Barber

Cameron rose's Tip

COINCIDE

EACH-WAY

Ive > Mcneil Stakes 02 September 14:20

7. Coincide

Win

Place

* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds