• Top 2 – No. 2 Wodeton
• Top 3 – No. 9 Autumn Boy
• Top 4 – No. 4 Nepotism

WODETON (10), the highly regarded Wootton Bassett colt from Chris Waller’s yard, has firmed into favouritism ahead of the Caulfield Guineas and deservedly so. Fourth-up and rock-hard fit, he looks primed to break through at elite level. Waller, already a three-time Guineas winner chasing back-to-back victories after Private Life’s triumph last year, has another serious contender on his hands. Wodeton burst onto the scene with a dominant debut at Rosehill in January and entered the autumn as one of the most talked-about juveniles. Though winless since, he’s been narrowly beaten by top-class rivals – runner-up in the Golden Slipper and less than a length off Vinrock in the Inglis Sires’. His current prep has been just as consistent, highlighted by a strong fourth in the Golden Rose where he stuck on gamely. Jockey James McDonald praised his effort, calling him “very gallant in defeat” and noting how well he stayed on. Stepping up to the mile now looks ideal, and with J-Mac sticking solid, he’s got the right ingredients. Despite drawing gate 10, unfavourable historically since Lonhro in 2001, I’m confident the Golden Rose form will hold up, and Wodeton is the standout from that race.

AUTUMN BOY (1), once the early favourite, remains locked in a market tussle with stablemate Wodeton but currently sits on the second line of betting for the Waller yard. He’s drawn perfectly in barrier one – a gate that’s produced four winners since 2000, most recently Divine Prophet in 2016. Damian Lane, who steered Private Life to victory for Waller last year, reunites with a colt full of promise. By The Autumn Sun, Autumn Boy lines up for just his fifth career start and boasts a 50% win rate from his winter campaign. He’s chasing his first win as a three-year-old after a strong first-up run in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty, where he finished a close second to the better-weighted Sixties. His Golden Rose effort was underwhelming, finishing seventh after being caught wide early and unable to match the leaders late. Still, the rise to 1600m looks tailor-made, and with Lane aboard and a dream draw, he’s well placed to bounce back. Plenty of punters are backing him to improve – he’s a serious threat.

NEPOTISM (9) is already a Group 1 winner but flies under the radar here and could be the smoky to spice up your exotics. The Hawkes-trained Brutal colt took out the Champagne Stakes at Randwick back in April, beating none other than Within The Law—who franked that form with a runner-up finish in last weekend’s Flight Stakes. Third-up now and out to a mile, he’s been at long odds after finishing midfield in both the Run To The Rose (9th) and Golden Rose (8th), but there’s more to those runs than meets the eye. His Golden Rose effort was a tough watch—over-raced early, never settled, and couldn’t find clear air late. Tyler Schiller had his hands full. Now with Blake Shinn taking the reins, I reckon he’ll get a softer ride. If Nepotism relaxes and finds his rhythm from the back, he’s got the engine to flash home and surprise a few. Not the worst roughie in the race, and worth a look for those chasing value.