Lamb’s Longshots: Five in the futures to back this spring
By James Lamb
CAULFIELD GUINEAS – SEIZE THE DAY @ $26
It’s never easy to line up the best New Zealand form against the locals but Te Akau’s Seize The Day couldn’t have been much more impressive winning the G1 Sires’ Produce (1400m) at Trentham earlier this year. Trainer Mark Walker has mapped out a spring plan geared towards peaking in the Caulfield Guineas and it seems unlikely that he’d start $26 on the day given a number of horses above him in the current market are perhaps better suited to the Coolmore over 1200m. The boom Kiwi colt is set to have a 1000m jumpout at Caulfield on Wednesday (August 19), before tackling the G3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) first-up.
TAB were offering top odds ($26) at the time of publication, with Sportsbet much tighter at $15.
THOUSAND GUINEAS – LA BARRITA @ $26
The grey filly went from a maiden win at Doomben to a fast-finishing fourth in the Listed Tatt’s Stakes (1400m) at her next start, handling the class and distance rise with aplomb. Co-trainer Calvin McEvoy told this publication that the daughter of St Mark’s Basilica is on a Thousand Guineas path, where she’s a $26 chance with most operators. The McEvoys have had decent success using the Queensland winter carnival as a launching pad into the spring. Punters will note La Barrita is down to have a 1000m jumpout at Caulfield on Wednesday (August 19).
CAULFIELD CUP – DEAKIN @ $34
The Stokes camp have now had plenty of time to figure out this French import, who has shown glimpses of elite staying talent since arriving here in mid-2024. He finished within a length of Via Sistina in the G1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m), before whacking away for 8th in last year’s Caulfield Cup as a $13 chance. His first jumpout this preparation was most encouraging, closing nicely for 5th under light riding at his home track of Pakenham. He’s due to have another one at Caulfield on Wednesday (August 19) over 1400m as he builds towards his spring grand final.
Neds have recently trimmed Deakin up from $51 into $26 for the Caulfield Cup, with Bet365 seemingly now top odds at $34.
COOLMORE STUD STAKES – STRETAN RULER @ $26
Natural Fling is a fast filly who was mighty impressive romping home at Caulfield on resumption, but $5 is rock-bottom for the Coolmore in what is always a hot race. Stretan Ruler showed in the summer/autumn that he belongs at the top level, winning the Silver Slipper by panels before finishing 5th in the Golden Slipper behind Guest House (beaten 2.67L). The Stokes-trained colt has to find further improvement but he’s got a bit of X-factor about him and he gives the impression that the Flemington straight-course will be to his liking. He too is entered for an 800m jumpout at Caulfield on Wednesday, August 19.
MELBOURNE CUP – WINE DARK SEA @ $21
Australian Bloodstock knows what it takes to win the Melbourne Cup (Protectionist 2014, Gold Trip 2022) and Wine Dark Sea is likely to get in with a nice light weight. He secured his place in the field with a last-start victory in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes (2671m) at Newbury and the Harry Charlton-trained gelding is due to arrive in Australia in late-September. The son of Ulysses has raced beyond 2200m on seven occasions, winning four of them. While $21 (Sportsbet) is hardly a huge spoil this far out from the race, at least you know he’ll be there provided he’s healthy. Interestingly, the third-placegetter in the Geoffrey Freer was Dubai Honour – a three-time Group 1 winner in Australia and runner-up to Via Sistina in the 2025 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
