Horse racing tips: Caulfield betting strategy and quaddie analysis

Herald Sun

3 days ago

News Corp racing reporter Gilbert Gardiner gives his $200 betting strategy and quaddie analysis for the Caulfield meeting on Saturday.
• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
FOUR-PLAY: $200 BETTING STRATEGY
RACE 2: BENCHMARK 78 FILLIES AND MARES (1200m)
$25 each-way EXCESS (2) at $7.50/$2.60
Deep in campaign but raced consistently with runs nicely spaced. Won a similar race last start at The Valley, travelled on speed and kicked to hold a margin on the runner-up. Drawn to low here and should get a similar map, albeit tougher to lead all the way here. Placed in two of three starts at Caulfield, only blemish came three runs back when crossed from wide draw to travel on speed and faded late. Fitness edge on key rivals.
RACE 3: 3YO OPEN HANDICAP (1200m)
$50 win BIG SWINGER (1) at $2.50
Smart three-year-old gelding with still untapped potential. Drawn to be prominent in barrier two and should be extremely hard to hold out. Completely luckless last start in the Group 2 Arrowfield Sprint and yet only beaten 1¼ lengths at Randwick. Six weeks between runs a slight concern but Big Swinger looks well placed in this company. Include JUST FOR SHOW (3) in any exotics. A model of consistency and should once again be around the mark.
RACE 7: BENCHMARK 84 HANDICAP (2000m)
$50 win BOARDRIDER (13) at $4.40
Well up in grade but weighted to be very competitive with only 51kg on his back. Drawn low and has the benefit of rising star apprentice jockey Logan Bates in the saddle. Boardrider should be ready to fire now third-up after two solid performances at Bendigo and Cranbourne respectively. Opened $6 in the market but straight into $4.40 rock solid since. First time at Caulfield and 2000m but pedigree suggests the distance should be no issue.
RACE 8: LISTED BEL ESPRIT STAKES (1100m)
$50 win NIANCE (7) at $2.40
Graduated to stakes grade last campaign with back-to-back Listed and Group 3 successes to build a record of six wins and a second from only 10 starts. Upside galore still and in most astute hands of trainer Grahame Begg. Drawn out but has speed to land in a good spot and should be too classy first-up despite a number rivals being race fit. RECOMMENDATION (1), also fresh, a track and trip specialist more than capable here.
QUADZILLA
LEG 1 – RACE 6
JIMMY THE BEAR (3) motored late first-up at Caulfield to run second behind the in-form War Machine. A repeat performance has the consistent performer, an eight-time winner from 34 starts, right in the frame here. Ticks every box. VERDAD (7) has won two of his past three and should again be up in the firing line somewhere. Singapore expat LIM'S SALTORO (4) should benefit from a solid fifth placing in his Australian debut behind War Machine last start. Include MILFORD (6) to cause a boil over.
1ST LEG: 3, 4, 6, 7
LEG 2 – RACE 7
BOARDRIDER (13) has been set a task, well up in grade and distance, but with no weight on his back should more than competitive. The Clinton McDonald-trained Preferment gelding has two solid runs under the belt and pedigree to handle the 2000m test. WONDER KID (4) won a similar race last start and must be respected again. MIRZANN (12) should be better for the run first-up and suited at 2000m. Include DUBLIN JOURNAL (6).
2ND LEG: 4, 6, 12, 13
LEG 3 – RACE 8
NIANCE (7) has won six of 10 starts to date, including Listed and Group 3 fillies and mares-restricted sprints last campaign. Up against the boys here but more than capable and should be able to improve her win record again. RECOMMENDATION (1) is a definite threat, with strong stats across the board – track, distance, class, conditions and first-up. AVIATRESS (4) raced well last start in similar company at Flemington and has won at Caulfield before.
3RD LEG: 1, 4, 7
LEG 4 – RACE 9
HEARCOMESTHESTAR (13) drawn poorly raced in great heart the past two starts at Caulfield and Flemington. Will need luck but more than capable. DIRTY GRIN (16) has won three of his past four starts and should somewhere in the finish again. PRANCING SPIRIT (5) has the right form, held on to beat the progressive Winnasedge last start, to go back-to-back at Caulfield.
4TH LEG: 5, 13, 16
COST $100 FOR 69%
SKINNY QUADDIE
Start with JIMMY THE BEAR (3), LIM'S SALTORO (4) and MILFORD (6). In the second leg take WONDER KID (4) and BOARDRIDER (13). Then in the third leg take RECOMMENDATION (1) and NIANCE (7). Come home with PRANCING SPIRIT (5), HEARCOMESTHESTAR (13) and DIRTY GRIN (16).
1ST LEG: 3, 4, 6
2ND LEG: 4, 13
3RD LEG: 1, 7
4TH LEG: 5, 13, 16
COST $100 FOR 277%
Originally published as Quadzilla, Four-Play: $200 betting strategy for Caulfield May 31, 2025