Horse racing tips: Caulfield betting strategy and quaddie analysis for Monash Stakes meeting

Herald Sun

11-07-2025

News Corp racing reporter Gilbert Gardiner gives his $200 betting strategy and quaddie analysis for Caulfield on Saturday.
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News Corp racing reporter Gilbert Gardiner gives his $200 betting strategy and quaddie analysis for the Sir John Monash Stakes meeting at Caulfield on Saturday.
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■ ■ ■ ■ ■ FOUR-PLAY: $200 BETTING STRATEGY
RACE 1: 2YO OPEN FILLIES HANDICAP (1100m)
$50 win SIGNATURE SCENT (2) at $2.20
Short enough but could not have been any more impressive on debut Bendigo. Jumped, led and bolted in by more than four lengths. The two-year-old Written Tycoon filly should get every opportunity to repeat the performance from barrier one on Saturday. The Ciaron Maher stable has a high opinion of Signature Scent, endorsed by the booking of jockey Craig Williams. GIN SPIRIT (4) has runs on the board and must be respected – already a Listed winner in Adelaide and runner-up in the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes at Flemington.
RACE 3: 3YO OPEN FILLIES HANDICAP (1400m)
$50 win ILLYIVY (4) at $4.80/$1.65
Not much separated the talented filly, trained by Ray Besanko, and favourite XARPO (3) last start at Caulfield – less than half a length. Xarpo responded under pressure first-up but Illyivy hit the line strongly in a blanket finish. Illyivy has a 1kg advantage on Xarpo on Saturday at Caulfield. Mindful Xarpo has improvement to come, only second-up, but Illyivy has barely put a hoof wrong in her three starts for the campaign, with a win and two seconds.
RACE 7: BENCHMARK 100 HANDICAP (1400m)
$25 each-way YELLOW SAM (3) at $6/$2.10
Held over a week after being accepted for the Listed Winter Championship Series Final last Saturday at Flemington. Back to Caulfield where the Lindsey Smith-trained mare saluted last start – a fortnight ago – and while mindful she could be looking for a bit more ground the 1400m Benchmark 100 should be suitable. Apprentice jockey Luke Cartwright has won on the mare before. Yellow Sam has won and placed three times in five starts at Caulfield. Should get a lovely run from barrier five. — 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) June 28, 2025
RACE 8: GROUP 3 SIR JOHN MONASH STAKES (1100m)
$25 each-way NEW YORK LUSTRE (10) at $9/$2.50
Could be vulnerable first-up against race-fit opposition but the Enver Jusufovic-trained mare has won five of eight starts and placed twice. Earned a shot in stakes grade and this race looks suitable. Sydney raider and favourite IN FLIGHT (6) a definite threat, along with lightly-raced progressive Victorian mare CLEO CAT (9). New York Lustre has drawn to get a nice run from the barrier and could be hard to chase down.
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ QUADZILLA
LEG 1 - RACE 6
KEEP YOUR COOL (6) found only one better last start, collared in the shadows of the post. Fitter third up and hard to hold out despite a wide draw. VAIL MOUNTAIN (10) hard fit and drawn well. FREAK OF NATURE (2) overraced first up and choked down potentially. Better than what he displayed last start and raced well at Caulfield previously. HE'LL RIP (13) savaged the line last start but just missed.
1ST LEG: 2, 6, 10, 13
LEG 2 - RACE 7
YELLOW SAM (3) finished over the top of her opposition last start at Caulfield and could do so again. Mindful she could be looking for 1600m now but race within her grasp. RUN HARRY RUN (5) will be up in the firing line and close to top fitness wise third-up. THE OPEN (9) has raced consistently all campaign without ultimate success. Gets his chance in a wide open race. Include EL SOLEADO (4) – went super first up at Flemington.
2ND LEG: 3, 4, 5, 9
LEG 3 - RACE 8
NEW YORK LUSTRE (10) has won five of eight starts and placed twice. Earned a crack in stakes' grade and while potentially vulnerable first-up should be around the mark. Progressive mare CLEO CAT (9) has race fitness and form around Caulfield. Respect Sydney raider and favourite IN FLIGHT (6) has the form and quality to win but best form on genuine rain-affected tracks. Getting around Caulfield can be a trick for Sydney horses also, so tread carefully. LIM'S KOSCIUSZKO (1) has won third-up previously and has the quality to win this.
3RD LEG: 1, 6, 9, 10
LEG 4 - RACE 9
AZTEC STATE (5) roared to an impressive victory first-up, after a long break, and while mindful of second-up syndrome the Lindsay Park-trained galloper has plenty of quality about him. Shame about the barrier although could be OK late in the day should the inside deteriorate. HARD TO CROSS (7) would appreciate any cut in the ground, while OUTTA COMPTON (12) is in a rich vein of form – chasing a hat-trick.
4TH LEG: 5, 7, 12
COST $100 FOR 52%
SKINNY QUADDIE
Start with FREAK OF NATURE (2), KEEP YOUR COOL (6) and HE'LL RIP (13). In the second leg take YELLOW SAM (3) and RUN HARRY RUN (5). Then in the third leg take LIM'S KOSCIUSZKO (1), IN FLIGHT (6) and NEW YORK LUSTRE (10). Come home with AZTEC STATE (5) and HARD TO CROSS (7).
FIRST LEG 2, 6, 13
SECOND LEG 3, 5
THIRD LEG 1, 6, 10
FOURTH LEG 5, 7
COST $100 FOR 277%
Originally published as Four-Play, Quadzilla: Gilbert Gardiner's $200 betting strategy for Monash Stakes meeting at Caulfield Horse Racing
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