We are set for a crack edition of the Group 1 $3 million Neds Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on Saturday, and below are our insider 2023 Caulfield Guineas tips and best bets on the mile classic.
The punters are all about the Chris Waller-trained Militarize to frank the Golden Rose form out of Sydney and post a fourth career Group 1 success when he lines-up favourite down south in the Melbourne major.
There are plenty of livewire dangers up for the challenge however including the undefeated Prelude winner Steparty.
So, will Waller come away with a third Caulfield Guineas trophy to add to his ever-growing cabinet or is there value further down the markets at Ladbrokes.com.au?
See below for what Caulfield Guineas contenders we are backing in the stallion-making feature this spring!
To Win: #1 Militarize ($2.80 at time of publish) – BET NOW
Three-time Group 1 champ Militarize is a hard to beat favourite in the 2023 Caulfield Guineas this weekend. Photo: Steve Hart.
Great edition of the Caulfield Guineas with a few form lines to consider, but happy to stick with the Waller-trained favourite Militarize who heads south for the first time. The gun Dundeel colt is now a three-time Group 1 winner after flashing from nowhere to score the Golden Rose over 1400m right on the line last start. He is proven at a mile having saluted in Randwick’s Champagne Stakes at elite level as a two-year-old and should appreciate the 1600m again now. The ‘Magic Man’ Joao Moreira retains the ride. The horse needs to answer a few questions like the gate (12) and racing the Melbourne way for the first time, but is the class horse from the best stable going too good to ignore with natural progression now third-up and fit.
The Danger: #4 Steparty ($4 at time of publish) – BET NOW
Prelude Steparty is looking to remain unbeaten with a win in the Caulfield Guineas 2023. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Really hard to leave out an undefeated three-year-old in this year’s Caulfield Guineas tips. It has been a while since a horse completed the Prelude – Guineas double in Melbourne with Helmet (2011) the last to do so. Still, think this Paul Preusker-trained Artie Schiller colt could come close. He is five-from-five and continues to impress as the bar is raised. He only just got there last time out however, so needs to improve again up to a mile now. Group 1 acid test but he is drawn to get the run of the race from a mid-field gate and has the upside to challenge.
The Roughie: #10 Wolfy ($14 at time of publish) – BET NOW
Wolfy is a top roughie in 2023 Caulfield Guineas betting for Saturday’s $3 million showdown in Melbourne. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Have had this Nick Ryan-trained galloper pegged for a big run on Saturday since the field came out. Preferred him at 20/1 earlier in the week, but he remains value into $14 now as the big Caulfield Guineas market mover. Blake Shinn comes aboard the in-form, Kiwi-bred Tivaci colt who chases a third win on the trot. He’ll need to go to another level having only broken his maiden status two back at Sale, but was impressive with 59.5kg over 1420m at Flemington in a BM64 on September 24. Caught the eye there, has been set for this, and a top three run would not surprise as he comes in with confidence.
