Daniel Sankey's Caulfield tips, quaddie: Saturday, August 16, 2025

The Australian

3 days ago

Racenet form analyst Daniel Sankey presents his best bets and quaddie picks for PB Lawrence Stakes Day at Caulfield on Saturday.
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FOUR-PLAY: $200 BETTING STRATEGY
RACE 3: FILLIES & MARES BENCHMARK 78 (1400m)
$50 WIN GALA QUEEN (7) at $3.90
Champion jockey Blake Shinn has a terrific book of rides at Caulfield on Saturday and this Phillip Stokes-trained mare is right up there with his best. She raced tight for room first up over an unsuitable 1100m on July 26 but worked home nicely for fifth, beaten less than two lengths by Pop Award who has each-way claims in the Regal Roller later in the day. Don't mind the wider draw today … it'll mean Shinn can get her in clear air in the straight. She'll be flashing home.
RACE 4: BENCHMARK 84 (1400m)
$50 WIN STYLISH (7) at $4.60
This mare has been a model of consistency since joining Lindsay Park and there's no reason to jump off her on Saturday in what looks a very winnable race. Had good betting support late at Flemington last time out where she got herself out of a tricky spot to power home late to win. Takes on the boys today but she drops 2kg and that man Shinn stays on. Don't dismiss CASTLE ON HIGH (12) at a price. He's unbeaten for new trainer Cliff Brown and gets a nice weight drop.
RACE 5: GROUP 3 VAIN STAKES (1100m)
$25 EACH-WAY HAY STREET (8) at $8
Big watch today on this Annabel and Rob Archibald gelding who showed plenty of promise behind the likes of Buffalo and North England in his two starts last prep. Has had two trials to fit him for this first-up assignment and looked terrific in both. This looks an open edition of the Vain Stakes and I fancy Hay Street could have the biggest improvement in him heading into his second campaign. No knock on SHINING SMILE (2) who's looking for six on the trot and can go on with it following a first-up victory at Flemington.
RACE 8: GROUP 2 PB LAWRENCE STAKES (1400m)
$50 WIN EVAPORATE (6) at $4
Intriguing edition of the PB Lawrence this year. Keen to be with Lindsay Park's top seed EVAPORATE (6) in a race that should set up perfectly for the son of Per Incanto. Has been impressive in two jumpouts heading into this race, mostly recently on August 4 when he surged clear late in a heat that included the likes of Mr Brightside and Elouyoug. With Shinn aboard, he'll get a lovely trail in behind the stablemate HERE TO SHOCK (2) who should burn forward from a wide draw. Respect PRIVATE EYE (1) who's only had a short break following a Stradbroke prep and don't let MOIRA (8) get under your guard.
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QUADZILLA
LEG 1, RACE 6
Open edition of the Quezette Stakes. Unbeaten Linday Park filly SCENIC POINT (4) couldn't have been more impressive in her two starts in her first preparation, thrashing her rivals in a Pakenham maiden before powering over the top of them in the Redoute's Choice Stakes. Two trials leading into this, won her second. Fellow unbeaten filly SIGNATURE SCENT (6) has race fitness on her side and can improve again second-up. Each-way chances to THE PLAYWRIGHT (1), MY GLADIOLA (3) and BLUE HOTEL (5).
1ST LEG 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
LEG 2, RACE 7
Two solid jumpouts will have ARKANSAW KID (1) ready to rumble first-up. Excellent fresh record (6:2-1-0), he excels at Caulfield (5:2-2-1) and he's unbeaten over this course (2:2-0-0). Trusting Shinn to overcome a sticky draw. LOSESOMEWINMORE (4) is a lightly-raced, improving type who's won his past two in good style. Wary of the Grahame Begg-trained ROYAL INSIGNIA (8) who is still an entire and could do anything first-up while POP AWARD (10) has won her past four and can't be dismissed.
2ND LEG 1, 4, 8, 10
LEG 3, RACE 8
Evergreen Group 1 performer PRIVATE EYE (1) is a winner of more than $12m in 43 starts and retains residual fitness following a fighting third in the Stradbroke Handicap in June. He'll battle it out for favouritism with EVAPORATE (6), who settled nicely in his jumpouts wearing winkers and should get a lovely run in behind the pace. MOIRA (8) came to Australia with big wraps on her in the autumn but wasn't a factor in the Doncaster. She's won two and placed twice from five first-up starts and it wouldn't surprise to see her run a huge race fresh.
3RD LEG 1, 6, 8
LEG 4, RACE 9
Tough way to finish the day. GOLDEN PATH (1) resumes and he gets in okay at the weights thanks to Luke Cartwright's claim. FORGOT YOU (4) was an eye-catcher last time out behind El Rocko when he ran outstanding late sectionals to just miss. Fit, in form, has a good gate and Blake Shinn. RUNNING BY (6) has enough early speed to make good use of an inside draw and while REVELARE (11) will undoubtedly improve with this run under his belt, leave him out of your quaddie at your peril.
4TH LEG 1, 4, 6, 11
CAULFIELD QUADDIE
Race 6: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Race 7: 1, 4, 8, 10
Race 8: 1, 6, 8
Race 9: 1, 4, 6, 11
COST: $100 for 41.65%
SKINNY QUADDIE
Kick things off with the unbeaten fillies SCENIC POINT (4) and SIGNATURE SCENT (6). In the second leg take ARKANSAW KID (1) and LOSESOMEWINMORE (4). Then in the third leg, take PRIVATE EYE (1), EVAPORATE (6) and MOIRA (8) before coming home with FORGOT YOU (4), RUNNING BY (6) and REVELARE (11).
CAULFIELD SKINNY QUADDIE
Race 6: 4, 6
Race 7: 1, 4
Race 8: 1, 6, 8
Race 9: 4, 6, 11
COST: $100 FOR 277.77%