Caulfield 21 Mar 2026
GOING: G(4)
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Manhari Handicap 1200m Track: GOOD 4 Clear (Max: 22) Rail: True Entire Circuit. |
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A solid tempo on the cards with El Rocko heading them off. Good little clash and fancy VERDOUX (8) is just set up a bit better here. He's come back in flying fashion, winning both starts this time in, beating the highly regarded She's An Artist at Flemington second up. He gets in with 51kg here after the claim and might just be too sharp for the resuming KING ZEPHYR (4). He's promised Group (1?) level ability with some big performances, sent out $1.65 behind Zou Sensation here before a spell at Listed level. 1200m around Caulfield from an inside gate isn't ideal - his best form has been over 1400m on big tracks, but he might be classy enough to get away with it. BIG SWINGER (5) resumes. He didn't win last time in but ran some good races and can figure. PONDALOWIE (7) resumes. They tried her over further last time in which didn't really work. She needs plenty to go her favour but can reel off big splits on her day. SUGGESTED PLAY: Verdoux to win.
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| 1 | 3104x |
EL ROCKO
JOHN MCARDLE 7YO BAY GELDING 61.0KG Redgum 2016 (Mgr: B J Clayton), Bromfield Park Pty Ltd (Mgr: W C Pearce), Red Baron Synd, M Sands, Handsome Chicks, Mrs R Perry, T Morrison, R De Silva, N Chaplin, J Azzopardi, N Jiang, Ms J Zha, Mrs X Zhang, D P B Racing, Dr O K Chan, Mrs L J Chan & C G Wheeler Back from a spell. Finished off last preparation second last in a small field at Kilmore in the LR Kilmore Cup November 23 over 1600m, soft track; 4.5 len behind Regal Zeus with 57.5kg at $4.20. When resuming last campaign fourth in a small field at Sandown-Lakeside Bm90 February 1 2025 over 1200m, 2.5 len behind New York Lustre with 56kg at $18. Likely needs further and wetter. |
3 J MOTT |
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| 2 | 5x15x |
MERIDIUS
LLOYD KENNEWELL 6YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG Mrs M L Kennewell, D Rogers, Exit Strategy Syndicate (Mgr: L A Wilkinson), D Cardamone, S M Stanton, R P Day, P Werner, A Tancredi, J Barker, B A Timmermans, G J Yeomans, Mrs K Rogers, T W Timms, G W Timms, M Stanley & Donalds Racing Extreme (Mgr: T Hughes) Resuming. Finished off last preparation fifth of 18 at Gold Coast in the LR Mm Cup January 17 over 1400m, 1.75 len behind King Of Roseau with 54kg at $17. Previous preparation first-up won by long-neck Cranbourne Bm84 December 27 over 1200m defeating Celsius Star with 61.5kg at $20. Two runs last time were quite good, not hopeless with Zahra booked. |
6 M J ZAHRA |
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| 3 | 865x5 |
POP AWARD
LYN TOLSON & LEONIE PROCTOR 5YO BROWN MARE 57.0KG Ms D A Kroger Second run back. First-up after three months 5th of 8 at Cranbourne in the LR Abell Stks on February 27 over 1200m, 2.5 len behind Miss Icelandic carrying 57kg at $4.20. Previously second-up favourite; won by 1.3 len at this track LR Regal Roller August 16 over 1200m in soft going defeating Arkansaw Kid carrying 54kg at $5. Possible improver off her second up form. |
9 L NOLEN |
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| 4 | x312x |
KING ZEPHYR
GRAHAME BEGG 5YO BAY GELDING 57.0KG C F Hyland, M W Johnson, R A Tregonning, Mrs G M Tregonning, M J Perrett, D J Love, S B Hanger, Ms S M Wilkins, C S Hanger, R W Ralph, M A Poes, Mrs A D Mercaldi, G Mercaldi, J J Grant, G F McDonald, S J McNamara, J W Perrett, Waterfall Racing (Mgr: J W Price) & J M Gallagher Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of five-and-a-half months. Finished off last preparation second of 9 at this track in the LR Weekend Hussler October 11 over 1400m, 1.0 len behind Zou Sensation carrying 54kg at $1.65. Previously first up; third of 9 at Moonee Valley Bm84 September 6 over 1200m, 1.1 len behind La Fracas with 59kg at $2.20. Talented horse who has promised to be Gr |
1 JORDAN CHILDS |
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| 5 | 3326x |
BIG SWINGER
CHARLOTTE LITTLEFIELD 4YO BROWN GELDING 56.0KG Hayfields Racing Club 1 (Mgr: J Hay), GWGD Racing (Mgr: Miss E Tonkin), Flying Swallow (Mgr: L Holland), Champagne Ponies Racing, J Marchant, A Higgins, B Murray, T Harvey, Mrs J Keech, G Olver, A Shore, J Magnusson, J O'Sullivan, B Walker, N Croft, B Drew, C Keay, D Beerens & Sandcastles Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign sixth of 8 at Geelong Bm84 January 3 over 1100m, 3 len behind Sweethearted carrying 60.5kg at $3.20. First up last campaign third of 9 at Flemington in the LR Fisher Stakes November 8 over 1200m, on heavy track; 2.5 len behind Need Some Luck carrying 54kg at $2.90. Has the ability and this looks a good race. |
5 BEN ALLEN |
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| 6 | 2x7x4 |
GIVE ME SPACE
BEN, WILL & JD HAYES 4YO BAY GELDING 56.0KG R T Hay Racing second-up today. Last outing 4th of 8 at Cranbourne in the LR Abell Stks on February 27 over 1200m, 2.5 len behind Miss Icelandic with 55kg at $5.50. At only start last preparation 7th of 11 at Eagle Farm in the LR Daybreak Lover on April 19 over 1400m, 2.75 len behind Boomtown Boss carrying 57kg at $2.50. Solid return, each way claims. |
4 MICHAEL DEE |
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| 7 | 6764x |
PONDALOWIE
EMMA-LEE & DAVID BROWNE 5YO BAY MARE 55.0KG Sparta Racing (Mgr: D S Browne), Frothy Fridays (Mgr: J McCarron), D L Collier, K J Corey, C W Kwok, M R Pollard, S J Penney, K C Foley, Mrs M E Burns, M R Roberts, Shark Park Syndicate (Mgr: B MacLaren), Mrs K M Foley, Ms S E Coglin, Ms M E Ellis, G Devonport & T J T Stewart Mare returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign fourth of 13 at Cranbourne in the LR Cran Cup November 22 over 1600m, 1.5 len behind Sabaj carrying 54kg at $15. When resuming last campaign tenth of 12 at this track Bm84 August 30 over 1400m, soft track; 4 len behind Keep Your Cool with 58kg at $13. Needs things to suit but can be flashing late. |
8 JYE MCNEIL |
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| 8 | 38x11 |
VERDOUX
L & T CORSTENS & W LARKIN 5YO BAY GELDING 54.0KG Flemington Bloodstock (Mgr: J G Sawford), Harvey Racing & Breeding (Mgr: D M Harvey), J Tolj, Tabby Racing (Mgr: T A Smith) & C McKinnon Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. First-up won by a neck at this track Bm78 February 21 over 1100m defeating Expulsion with 56kg at $5.50. Last start came from midfield and won by a neck at Flemington Bm84 March 7 over 1100m defeating She's An Artist with 55.5kg at $4.40. Has come back extra well and is set up to win again. |
7 JACKSON RADLEY |
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| 9 | 0x38x |
RED GALAXY
GREG EURELL 5YO BAY GELDING 54.0KG L M Krongold, D Smorgon & EST L Serry Resuming after a break of nine weeks. Finished off last campaign eighth of 12 at Flemington Bm84 January 17 over 1200m, 5 len behind Immortal Star carrying 56kg at $6.50. Previously first up; third of 8 at Geelong Bm84 January 3 over 1100m, 1.75 len behind Sweethearted carrying 58kg at $15. Prefer to see how he returns. |
2 LACHLAN NEINDORF |
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