 Expert - Brett Davis | |
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| 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 Caulfield Cup Day (S1) (Brett Davis)
S1-1 Tristarc Stakes
C’EST MAGIQUE is a lightly raced but highly talented 4YO filly who is yet to reach her full potential and rates a very strong winning chance. With 2 weeks between runs from her second up third in the G2 Gilgai Stakes she’s ideally placed to return a similar level of performance. She ended up in the wrong part of the track last start but closed off exceptionally well all considered. Her closing sectional data was super impressive on the day with a rise to 1,400m certainly in her favour.
SKEW WIFF arrives in Melbourne for her first race on Australian soil after being scratched at the gates in the G2 Rose of Kingston Stakes. Her win in the G1 Tarzino Trophy over 1,400m at Hastings was both gutsy and polished and she’ll definitely measure up. Softer track conditions would’ve been more to her liking, but at set weights even with a penalty, she’s hard to defeat if she rocks up near her best.
WALTZ ON BY is primed to run well following a solid performance in the G2 Rose of Kingston Stakes where she never fully settled in the run. Her record at Caulfield reads fair but it’s worth giving her the benefit of doubt with excuses justified on most occasions. Damien Lane was aboard last outing and is currently riding as good as ever, so you wouldn’t imagine he’ll make too many mistakes from the draw.
WROTE TO ARATAKI won the G3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes last campaign when leading throughout to score. A long winter spell followed thereafter before a brilliant hard finishing first up run in the G3 W.W. Cockram Stakes at Caulfield. She was then ridden forward in the G2 Let’s Elope Stakes but overhauled quickly at the 200m point in the straight. She’s then bounced back brilliantly to go down fighting in the recent G2 Rose of Kingstown Stakes and that form gives her a real chance.
MADAME POMMERY was the winner of the G1 Thousand Guineas over 1,600m at Caulfield this time last year but her form since has become unpredictable. She returned this preparation with a fabulous fast finishing second behind PERICLES, at Rosehill over 1,400m, before a pair of below grade efforts since. She’s a risky conveyance at the best of times but has the required motor to win.
SELECTIONS: 8. C’EST MAGIQUE, 2. SKEW WIFF, 7. WALTZ ON BY, 5. WROTE TO ARATAKI & 1. MADAME POMMERY
1ST DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-1: Multiple – 8. C’EST MAGIQUE & 2. SKEW WIFF
S1-2: Multiple – 10. NUNTHORPE & 3. BUFFALO RIVER
TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S1-1: Multiple – 8. C’EST MAGIQUE, 2. SKEW WIFF & 7. WALTZ ON BY
S1-2: Multiple – 10. NUNTHORPE, 3. BUFFALO RIVER & 9. TIMES SQUARE
S1-3: Multiple – 6. WEST WIND BLOWS, 8. SOULCOMBE & 1. GOLD TRIP
S1-2 Moonga Stakes
NUNTHORPE appears a progressive and highly talented individual, judged on her latest win, and a cracking good type on the eye as you’ll see when she runs. She’s lightly raced and therefore a long way out the handicap but holds the X-Factor card in this race. She’s tactically versatile and possesses a crunching turn of foot and should be treated with utter respect.
BUFFALO RIVER has recaptured some better form this campaign highlighted by his win in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes. He followed that up with another gutsy performance in the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes after recovering from an ordinary start. He adores this track and is G1 placed at his best so don’t ignore his presence from the favourable low draw.
TIMES SQUARE also arrives to Caulfield for his debut following two barrier trails at Rosehill and Randwick respectively. The former French galloper is the intriguing runner because he’s relatively unexposed in Australia. Interestingly, the majority of his better form has come on rain affected tracks, which won’t suit him here, but he certainly has his share of ability.
UMGAWA is a solid contributor almost every time he steps out and for that reason must be considered. A good draw, plus jockey with previous race experience are vital to his prospects and he’s rock hard fit for the fight. Despite the fact he’s never won at G3 level he’s quite well placed considering his narrow defeat behind IT’SOURTIME at Flemington back in August.
SELECTIONS: 10. NUNTHORPE, 3. BUFFALO RIVER, 9. TIMES SQUARE & 5. UMGAWA
2ND DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-2: Multiple – 10. NUNTHORPE & 3. BUFFALO RIVER
S1-3: Multiple – 6. WEST WIND BLOWS & 8. SOULCOMBE
S1-3 Caulfield Cup
WEST WIND BLOWS arrived from England with a solid batch of racing in his legs. His runs at Royal Ascot in June, and Sandown in July, were against quality and proven top class performers. He’s clearly settled in well to the Australian spring after an outstanding performance in the G1 Turnbull Stakes behind last year’s G1 Melbourne Cup winner GOLD TRIP. He covered ground early on that occasion in search of a forward position, before dashing for home with venom and heart. The weight allotted enhances his prospects, and the draw ensures that he’ll do no work in the run.
SOULCOMBE began his racing in the United Kingdom before transferring to Chris Waller from William Haggas in November 2022. He won his first Australian start in brilliant fashion over 2,600m at Flemington before a couple of average runs in Sydney at his next two events. A lengthy break was justified by a superb win at Caulfield first up before covering ground and missing the start in the G1 Underwood Stakes. The inside draw brought about traffic issues in the G1 Turnbull Stakes before he exploded in to third once clear. He’s a high calibre thoroughbred with an exceptional turn of foot and the 2,400m appears his ideal trip.
GOLD TRIP finished second in the G1 Caulfield Cup last year before going on to win Australia’s greatest 3,200m event the G1 Melbourne Cup. He returned this campaign with a strong effort first up at Moonee Valley, before an electrifying and jaw dropping last to first win in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. The rise to 2,400m obviously won’t be of concern and the way he’s racing at the moment, he may just be unstoppable. The change of track and additional weight however can swing things around.
MONTEFILIA was a fraction unlucky in this race last year when baulked for a run at the 400m, and again at the 300m. In review, she was only inches away from GOLD TRIP on the line. Her preparation leading in last year was a third in the G2 Hill Stakes on a heavy track, where she wasn’t overly comfortable, this year she won that same event on a good track and did it with a touch of style. She arrives at the top of her game and the Sydney form is strong making her a genuine winning prospect.
WITHOUT A FIGHT ran unplaced in the G1 Melbourne Cup last year off the back of a somewhat rushed drop-in campaign. He’s since remained in Australia, enjoyed a lengthy spell, before returning to racing with a dominant pair of wins at Eagle Farm in May and June. A program aimed at the G1 Caulfield Cup was thereafter devised and he arrives today ready and raring to go. With his fast finishing sixth behind ALLIGATOR BLOOD in the G1 Underworld Stakes an excellent entree.
SELECTIONS: 6. WEST WIND BLOWS, 8. SOULCOMBE, 1. GOLD TRIP, 4. MONTEFILIA & 2. WITHOUT A FIGHT
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