Another bumper day’s racing is scheduled for Melbourne this Saturday with Caulfield Guineas Day lighting up Caulfield Racecourse, one of the day’s key support races being the 2013 Schillaci Stakes.

Kurosho is the Races.com.au tip to win the Schillaci Stakes 2013. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia.

Set to run as Race 4 at 2:00pm (AEST) this year’s $220,000 Group 2 Schweppes Schillaci Stakes (1000m) has drawn a final field of nine hopefuls.

Clear favourite in the current Schillaci Stakes betting odds at a firming $2.40 is Kuroshio who, under the weight-for-age conditions of the race, will carry just 53kg.

The Peter Snowden-trained Exceed And Excel colt may be coming up against a field of more experienced rivals, but they certainly have the right lead-up form to overcome the older horses here.

A triple stakes winner, the three-year-old was last seen winning the Group 2 McEwen Stakes over this same short sprint distance but at Moonee Valley on September 14.

There they carried just 52kg, but a one kilo increase should be a non-issue for Saturday.

It’s a relatively wide open market after Kuroshio with four other single-figure fancies in the Schillaci Stakes odds with:

• #6 Unpretentious ($4.20) – Nikki Burke-trained Stratum gelding won back-to-back races last spring in Melbourne, but haven’t run in nearly a year. Their last was a fast finishing effort in a Listed race won by Mid Summer Music. Haven’t done a whole lot of racing for a five-year-old, but if they can reproduce their first-up effort last prep, winning by six lengths at Ballarat, then will be one to watch.
• #5 Snitzem ($7.50) – Leon Corstens’ Snitzel gelding has run eighth in their two most recent runs over this distance, one was last October in this race after which they pulled up lame and the other was behind Kuroshio in the McEwen in their first run since. They are short in the markets considering the improvement they need to feature here after that effort.
• #1 Broken ($8.50) – Enjoyed two stakes victories in August, an excellent effort for this seven-year-old mare, but couldn’t match Speediness in the Bobbie Lewis last month when beaten four lengths to finish 11^th, back to a shorter sprint and Caulfield should suit.
• #4 Vatican ($9) – God’s Own gelding comes off a 950m Moonee Valley win when carrying 60kg a fortnight ago, drop back to 58.5kg here which will suit and regular rider Billy Egan comes back on for the ride. Drawn wide, likely to go across and try to lead all the way. Good record over the distance but think they might be just off the better ones here.

So should you stick with the shorties in the market? Or go for an upset Schillaci Stakes result?

Schillaci Stakes Trifecta Tip

#9 Kuroshio ($2.40) from #1 Broken and #6 Unpretentious

This one is going to be short and fast, but really can’t go past the favourite who will thrive here at WFA. Has the advantage, took advantage of that last start and won, and will be out to do the same here. Think Broken can surprise and bounce back from last start where they didn’t get an ideal run. Unpretentious also looms as a big threat, so long as they stay in touch and don’t get shuffled back from the inside alley.

To get behind our Schillaci Stakes selections, or lock in your own tips at the best prices, simply head to Ladbrokes.com.au where you’ll get a better deal on every horse, in every race, every day this spring carnival!

2013 Schillaci Stakes Odds

Caulfield Race 4 – 2:00pm (AEST) – 12/10/2013

*All odds quoted are Fixed Win from Ladbrokes.com.au and subject to change