Caulfield 30 May 2026
GOING: H(8)
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Sportsbet Bel Esprit Stakes 1100m Track: HEAVY 8 Rain (Max: 16) Rail: True Entire Circuit. |
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Plenty of speed runners engaged, with Marble Nine, Recommendation and Bazaball Rewarded prominent. Tricky edition of the Bel Esprit Stakes, mainly due to our favourite BUSTLING (12) who resumed off two years here over 1000m under 62kg and actually ran very well all things considering, boxing on well for third. He drops 8kg off that and should be far less rusty. His best WA form as a 2yo saw him get an Everest slot - nothing in this field could dream of that. RECOMMENDATION (3) comes through the G3 John Hawkes Stakes at Morphettville. He likes Caulfield and can give a sight up on speed. BAZABALL REWARDED (14) is a little ripper, beating Bustling fresh over 1000m. She's not well off this time and 1100m is a huge query but she deserves her chance. HEARCOMESTHESTAR (13) has been good in two runs back and has claims. SUGGESTED PLAY: Bustling to win.
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| 1 | 20x9x |
BELLATRIX STAR
MARK WALKER 4YO BAY MARE 60.0KG Fortuna Bellatrix Star (Mgr: J Galvin) Back after a long spell. Only had one start last preparation ran last of 9 at this track in the LR Doveton Stks on November 29 over 1100m, slow going 10 len behind Aviatress with 60kg at $14. First up last campaign got back early 5th of 8 at this track in the G3 Quezette on August 17 2024 over 1100m, 3 len behind Drifting with 58kg at $14. Finished fourth in a Caulfield Heath trial over 800m on May 14. May need this, watch the market. |
2 L CURRIE |
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| 2 | 2x228 |
WATCHME WIN
ANDREW GLUYAS 5YO CHESTNUT GELDING 60.0KG A J Hehir, D W Rasheed, S C S Watts, B H Perks, J M Brooks, H R Brooks, P D Page, A P Mezzini, C R Cowan, A J Flanegan, L V Valente, T P McAuliffe, A J Gluyas, M J Palmer, R Van Den Berg, Slainte Racing No2 (Mgr: A J Hehir) & Foolish Pleasure (Mgr: R L Dutton) Last start 8th of 14 at Morphettville in the G1 The Goodwood on May 9 over 1200m, slow going 1.75 len behind Desert Lightning carrying 56kg at $17. Before that 2nd of 20 at Morphettville in the G3 Hawkes Stakes on April 25 over 1100m, 0.8 len behind Grand Larceny with 60kg at $11. Going well in SA and is suited this level. |
8 JYE MCNEIL |
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| 3 | 86x36 |
RECOMMENDATION
CIARON MAHER 6YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG N S Psaltis, Mrs G C Psaltis, S T Elwick, A D Sier, D Simonsen, G A Buchanan, Captain's Call No.3, J A Forrest, Green Park Syndicate, D P Sinn, Four Four Racing, Mrs C C Gash, B T Gash, S R Payne, J Steet, T J Harris, J A O'Neill & Lazarus Racing Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming made some head-way from midfield; 3rd of 14 at Ballarat Discovery on April 3 over 1100m, 3.5 len behind Spywire carrying 56kg at $31. Second-up 6th of 20 at Morphettville in the G3 Hawkes Stakes on April 25 over 1100m, 1.2 len behind Grand Larceny with 59.5kg at $12. Should take catching. |
5 THOMAS STOCKDALE |
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| 4 | 26160 |
CORNICHE
SHAWN MATHRICK 5YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG B A Mathrick, Miss E Laing, P P L A Syndicate (Mgr: P Elliott), K D J Racing (Mgr: K Williams), D C Iles, J Restagno, P J Callipari, D W Barr, D J Scott, A Sergi, P A Rapone, B J Quirk, C A Bretherton, R Stevenson, M O'Neill, D Coulthard, K Ear, D Allen, S T Gilchrist & M J Nutt At the latest run ran last of 11 at Warrnambool in the LR Wangoom on May 6 over 1200m, on a wet track; 9 len behind Oliveanotherday carrying 57.5kg at $12. The start before that 6th of 13 at Mornington in the LR Hareeba Stks on April 18 over 1200m, 3.5 len behind Recon with 56.5kg at $14. Looks tested in this field. |
11 ZAC SPAIN |
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| 5 | 5x540 |
TITLE FIGHTER
CLAYTON DOUGLAS 5YO BAY GELDING 57.0KG Ponderosa Park (Mgr: P V Kelly) Most recently ran last of 14 at Flemington in the LR Straight Six on May 16 over 1200m, 10 len behind Losesomewinmore carrying 60kg at $26. The race before that 4th of 11 at Warrnambool in the LR Wangoom on May 6 over 1200m, on a wet track; 4 len behind Oliveanotherday carrying 57kg at $18. Others rate better this time. |
9 J MOTT |
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| 6 | 0x00x |
COEUR VOLANTE
BEN, WILL & JD HAYES 5YO BROWN MARE 56.0KG Widden Stud Pty Ltd (Mgr: A W Thompson) & Bangaloe Stud (Mgr: Miss J C Ritchie) Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of seven months. Finished off last preparation when last of 11 at Flemington in the G2 Linlithgow November 1 over 1400m, 6 len behind Warnie with 55kg at $31. First up last campaign ran last of 10 at this track in the G3 Northwood Plume October 11 over 1200m, 5.5 len behind She's Bulletproof with 58kg at $26. Risking. |
7 JACKSON RADLEY |
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| 7 | 9x070 |
MARBLE NINE
L & T CORSTENS & W LARKIN 5YO BROWN GELDING 56.0KG Palya Bloodstock Pty Ltd (Mgr: C Mckeon), T A Brooks, Mrs S Brooks, D J Blair, Mrs M R Blair, Mrs C E Whitbread, J N Whitbread, A R Walton, Mrs N Walton, E & Mrs E McKeon & R Fitzgerald Most recently raced on the speed throughout before fading 12th of 14 at Flemington in the LR Straight Six on May 16 over 1200m, 7 len behind Losesomewinmore carrying 59.5kg at $31. The start before that raced on the pace before fading 7th of 11 at Warrnambool in the LR Wangoom on May 6 over 1200m, on rain affected going; 5.5 len behind Oliveanotherday carrying 57kg at $21. Can't have. |
6 JETT STANLEY |
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| 8 | 400x0 |
TAUNTING
ANDREW NOBLET 7YO BAY GELDING 56.0KG Seymour Bloodstock (Mgr: D S Thomas), T G Heptinstall & M A Pilkington Second run back. First-up after a year 17th of 20 at Morphettville in the G3 Hawkes Stakes on April 25 over 1100m, 4.5 len behind Grand Larceny carrying 58kg at $101. Previously second-up 6th of 10 at Morphettville in the LR Durbridge on January 25 2025 over 1100m, 3 len behind Prairie Flower with 58.5kg at $5.50. See again. |
10 DECLAN BATES |
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| 9 | x4800 |
PISANELLO
BEN, WILL & JD HAYES 5YO BROWN GELDING 55.0KG Godolphin Last start second last of 14 at Flemington in the LR Straight Six on May 16 over 1200m, 10 len behind Losesomewinmore carrying 58kg at $41. The race before that settled back and ran on when 15th of 20 at Morphettville in the G3 Hawkes Stakes on April 25 over 1100m, 4.5 len behind Grand Larceny with 57.5kg at $21. Not going well enough. |
3 HARRY COFFEY |
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| 10 | 6548x |
SAMANGU
GRAHAME BEGG 5YO BAY MARE 54.0KG D M D B Syndicate, Grahame Begg Racing, E Knezevic, Bingo Bango Racing, LKO, Sandy Benders Racing, S J Davies, P W Dick, R Joynes, D Brakell, Horse at the Front, D G Crowden, D J Oliphant, M N Tucker, S Tucker, A Hart & R J Hughes Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of three-and-a-half months. Finished off last campaign second last of 9 at this track in the G3 Mannerism February 21 over 1400m, 4.5 len behind Bossy Benita with 57kg at $18. When resuming last campaign ran last in a small field at Caulfield Heath Bm90 December 20 over 1000m, 5 len behind Chinqui carrying 58.5kg at $4.80. Resumes after a recent trial win. Has ability, watch betting. |
2 LUKE CARTWRIGHT |
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| 11 | 1110x |
GIN A TONIC
BEVAN LAMING 4YO BROWN GELDING 54.0KG S B Laming & Felgate Holdings (Mgr: P D Felgate) Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of four-and-a-half months. Finished off last campaign when last of 11 at Gold Coast Mm Sprint January 17 over 1200m, 18 len behind Axius with 56kg at $21. Previous preparation first-up won by 0.8 len Moonee Valley Bm74 October 24 over 955m defeating One Hard Lady carrying 60kg at $13. Not the worst. |
1 LOGAN BATES |
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| 12 | 1x8x3 |
BUSTLING
MICK PRICE & MICHAEL KENT JNR 4YO GR/BR GELDING 54.0KG Werrett Bloodstock Pty Ltd, S Tsalikidis, Mrs S L Tsalikidis, C Cortese, Mrs S Cortese, Lago Racing, Whitby Bloodstock Pty Ltd, A Kheir, Mrs L Kheir, Madden Bloodstock, P B Price, Peake Racing, Mrs C L Morton, Encompass Bloodstock, R Shaqiri, A Shaqiri & S Derias Racing second-up today. Last run 3rd of 12 at this track Bm84 on May 9 over 1000m, on a slow track; 1.4 len behind Bazaball Rewarded carrying 62kg at $5. At only start last preparation second last of 9 at Rosehill in the G2 Run To Rose on September 14 2024 over 1200m, 4 len behind Traffic Warden carrying 57.5kg at $7. Plummets in weight and should be match fitter now. |
8 CRAIG WILLIAMS |
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| 13 | 27x33 |
HEARCOMESTHESTAR
JOHN MOLONEY 5YO BAY MARE 54.0KG H W Wilson, A J Parrish, W J Parrish, S J McCreesh, P S Cassano, P J McCarthy, J F Moloney, Hey Expert (Mgr: R T Deagan), Esquin (Mgr: S J Quinlivan) & F F Fairthorne (Jnr) Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming 3rd of 12 at Bendigo Bm84 on May 2 over 1100m, 2.5 len behind Stoli Bolli with 59kg at $9. Second run from a spell raced on speed throughout when 3rd of 14 at Flemington in the LR Straight Six on May 16 over 1200m, 3 len behind Losesomewinmore with 54kg at $17. Going well and has claims on latest. |
12 BEAU MERTENS |
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| 14 | 411x1 |
BAZABALL REWARDED
KELVIN SOUTHEY 4YO BAY MARE 54.0KG G N Peters, J Baker, Mrs J L Cameron, Five Kings (Mgr: S J King), A D Cameron, D Phillips, T Gordon, K Johnson, Aspect Racing (Mgr: Ms K Hughes), D J Taylor, A C Desaubin, Ms C C Peters, R G N Peters, A R Morgan, Mrs P K Southey, G J & Mrs L McNamara & Mrs A L Vickers-Willis Second-up. First-up after five months raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 1.0 len at this track Bm84 May 9 over 1000m on a rain affected track defeating Cannyworth carrying 54kg at $14. Previously second-up won by 5 len at Mornington Bm62 September 18 over 1000m defeating Abovethefrostline with 56.5kg at $1.45. Speedy mare, she'll be in this for a long way. |
4 TEODORE NUGENT |
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