Expert - Brett Davis

Brett Davis was introduced to Australian Racing by his father back in the early 1980’s when his family became involved in formulating “Thoroughbred Racing Syndications”. Brett worked from 1995 as a Professional Form Analysts and Race Broadcaster with an array of companies throughout most parts of the Australia Racing industry. He currently resides in Adelaide, his hometown in Australia, where he is Chief Thoroughbred Race Caller and Form Analyst for Tabcorp / SkyChannel / RadioTAB. Brett Davis also spent 2 years with the Singapore Turf Club and 13 Racing Seasons with the Hong Kong Jockey Club between 2006 to 2019 as a leading Form Analyst / Race Caller and was the HKJC Chief Race Caller from 2014, calling the last 5 Hong Kong International (Turf World Championships) race meetings and over 50 G1 races. Brett has immense passion for Australian Racing both personally and professionally. With his diverse knowledge and long standing industry relations he’s a valuable asset to racing and it’s enthusiasts.

Expert Column for The Everest Day and Caulfield Cup Day (S1) (Brett Davis)

S1-1     The Everest

MASKED CRUSADER has never raced better and today’s 1,200m blockbuster arrives at the perfect time. His recent form is outstanding following a brilliant display in the G2 Premiere Stakes where he stopped the clock at 1.08.33. That race time lined up against CLASSIQUE LEGEND winning time of 1.08.27 in this race last year, under the same track conditions, portrays an extraordinary performance. The barrier draw of gate 9 isn’t a concern as he initially conserves energy and could even end up a bonus as he’ll be given room to move. If the leaders get away its going to make his assignment more difficult but I’m prepared to take that chance.

CLASSIQUE LEGEND returns to the scene of his crowning glory following an unsuccessful campaign in Hong Kong. Last year’s winner of the Everest has been prepared minute by minute and without glitch by legendary trainer Les Bridge. He’s looked his bright and happy self in morning gallops and the three trials undertaken at Randwick suggest he’s a coiled spring ready to launch. He hasn’t won since this very race last year but the whispers circling are that there’ll be no excuse should he taste defeat.

NATURE STRIP needs no introduction as the Australian Racehorse of the Year from 2019/2020 and lines up for his third attempt at this AUD$15-million contest. In last year’s edition he also drew outside EDUARDO and the pair raced each other frantically through the first 200m before bubbling over and finishing unplaced. It’s difficult to envisage jockey James McDonald allowing that to happen once again so I anticipate he may take the sit this time around. The six time G1 winner by all reports is ready to atone his latest defeat and like normal is going to take plenty of running down.

GYTRASH finished third in this race last year and the South Australian star trained by Gordon Richards & Damien Moyle has been aimed at this race since May. A long winter spell was followed by an extremely unlucky third in the G2 The Shorts at Randwick first up behind EDUARDO and NATURE STRIP. He’s been kept in cotton wool since with only an 800m trial and multiple track gallops sighted, but gate 1 has produced plenty of exciting discussion. His best is good enough to be right in the finish so all he has to do now is show up with the goods.

THE INFERNO has been touted by some as the best printer to emerge out of Singapore since the great ROCKET MAN and he’s certainly captured Australia’s eye since his arrival. He was average first up at Caulfield before a powerful win in the 1,000m G2 Mitty's McEwen Stakes at Moonee Valley in early September. He should have arguably won the 1,000m G1 Moir Stakes when held up at a critical stage behind fellow runner in WILD RULER. He arrives at today’s contest peaking in form and despite question marks over his class and experience in the clockwise direction he shouldn’t be dismissed lightly.

SELECTIONS: 6. MASKED CRUSADER, 2. CLASSIQUE LEGEND, 1. NATURE STRIP, 4. GYTRASH & 8. THE INFERNO

S1-2     Caulfield Cup

INCENTIVISE is Australia’s newest super star having won his last 8 races starts. Wins in the recent G1 Turnbull Stakes and G1 Makybe Diva Stakes have secured his position as outright favourite for today’s enthralling contest over the 2,400m. He likes to lead or at least race handy and possesses the engine capacity to break apart the opposition with brutal power and strength. Former Hong Kong jockey Brett Prebble has lost nothing with age and is currently riding as good as ever. Together they’re a formidable combination against any opponent and deserve the status as race favourite.

DELPHI was extremely impressive in the G2 Herbert Power Stakes last Saturday over today’s course and distance. The former Irish galloper has now fully acclimatised to Australian lifestyle and lines up for his first attempt at G1 level. This emerging son of GALILEO has all the attributes required to handle a contest of this depth and is weighted well enough to win under handicap conditions. The favourite is a star and clearly the horse to beat but if he’s vulnerable for any reason the race opens up.

EXPLOSIVE JACK was the first 3YO in a very long time to win three Derby in one season and has already secured his position as a valuable commodity at stud. What he’s able to achieve going forward is still to be fully unveiled but his two runs back suggest he’s on track. A strong closing fifth in the G1 Turnbull Stakes last start was a superb lead up for this event and he’s been defeated only once over this race distance. He’ll work home better than most through the final 300m and if they happen to race to hard early he can certainly mop up the mess.

CHAPADA won the G2 Herbert Power Stakes back in 2020 before finishing ninth in this race last year. He’s been unable to win a G1 race at 10 attempts but has finished third on multiple occasions. His third placing in the recent G1 Turnbull Stakes was fabulous under the circumstances and today meets the winner, INCENTIVISE slightly better at the weights. Generally throughout his career he’s been unpredictable regarding consistency but his best effort suggests he should be entertained for the exotics.

MONTEFILIA is a five time winning filly that arrives from Sydney following a wonderful hard fought win in the G1 The Metropolitan at Randwick. Her overall career record is impeccable winning three G1 races and missing a prize money cheque on just the one occasion. She’s best ridden quiet early before building through the second half of the race with her size, power and tenacity often undeniable in a tight finish. The anticlockwise direction of Melbourne racing is a potential query however it didn’t bother her in the G1 VRC Oaks when finishing a gallant third.

SELECTIONS: 2. INCENTIVISE, 10. DELPHI, 3. EXPLOSIVE JACK, 9. CHAPADA & 12. MONTEFILIA

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