Simon O'Donnell is a Nine Network sports commentator who played AFL and cricket at the highest level. He also has interests in some of the country's top racehorses and has come agonisingly close to winning the Melbourne Cup. |  |
It's been a long time since I've seen such a dominant horse as Pierro. He could be something very special and I can't for the life of me see anything troubling him, including bad luck, in the
Caulfield Guineas.
If there was a query that he wasn't going to handle Melbourne's conditions, he put that to rest in his last start at Moonee Valley. He didn't just win there, he absolutely smashed his rivals.
Caulfield's surface can be a graveyard at times for new horses, but I expect him to handle the track comfortably. He's a superstar, his length is better than anything he is going to run against and while plenty of hot favourites have been beaten before, I think he'll produce.
Indeed, Pierro's trainer Gai Waterhouse will go into this meeting with high expectations. Not only does she have Pierro, but she also has the favourite in the Toorak Handicap, in More Joyous.
King Mufhasa rarely runs a bad race and is clearly the obvious choice for second, but don't be surprised if the Queenslanders spoil the party with trainer Robert Heathcote's Solzhenitsyn, whose careers continue to improve.
It's also worth keeping an eye on the form Sincero. From a Cox Plate point of view he must run a strong 2000m in the Caulfield Stakes. It's important that he really hits the line hard. If he doesn't, it doesn't bode well for the Cox Plate in a fortnight.
Ocean Park also has to hold his form from the Underwood Stakes. If he does, he could be in for a really good weight-for-age campaign which would also include a run in the Cox Plate.
The Herbert Power Stakes also presents interest, with internationals Gatewood and Shahwardi both stepping out here for the first time, with eyes on the Melbourne Cup. You can expect forward showings from the pair, while of the locals, Ironstein is starting to run into a little bit of form. If there is a little sting out of the ground, keep an eye on Exceptionally who rarely runs a bad race.
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