Runner ratings – Caulfield Guineas

An analysis of all 16 runners who contested the $3 million Group 1 Caulfield Guineas.

WINNER – GOLDEN MILE (James McDonald, $2.70 favourite)

We say: Capped off a brilliant day for J-Mac and the Blue Army. McDonald had the favourite in the perfect spot in midfield and gave him every possible chance. He responded well when asked for his run and was able to hold off the late charge of Elliptical to continue his terrific record thus far in his career.

They say: “He was great. He had a great turn of foot the horse and that’s what won him the race today. He worked into a nice enough spot. It was quite messy to the first bend. He actually went to go right instead of going left and was just off kilt a little bit, but once he gathered up momentum he idled into the race and had a great turn of foot,” McDonald said.

Rating: 9/10

RUNNER UP – ELLIPTICAL (Blake Shinn, $15)

We say: Settled alongside the winner in the run and while it took him a little longer to hit top gear, he was very strong late and just missed out. He’s a lightly raced horse who’s quickly made his way through the grades and there’s plenty to like about him for the future.

They say: “Super run. Got beaten by an outstanding colt but a great run, no excuses,” said Shinn.

Rating: 8.5/10

THIRD – OSIPENKO (Tim Clark, $17)

We say: Massive run. He got caught up in a bit of trouble at the top of the rise with around 1200m to run and that pushed him back closer to the rear of the field. He’s then flown home out wide and has only been beaten by half a length. This was just his second run for the prep and he’s another colt with a bright future.

They say: “Terrific run, only having his fourth career start. Still a little bit new but he’s got a bright future,” said Clark.

Rating: 9/10

FOURTH – BERKELEY SQUARE (Craig Williams, $4.80)

We say: He cost himself his chance of winning by coming out of the gates a little slowly before recovering to settle midfield. He didn’t always have clear galloping room, but he was still getting home well and looks on track for a tilt at the Victoria Derby.

They say: “The start was costly, absolutely, but I followed the winner, and he never really got a smooth flow in transition throughout. We needed to be really sharp from where we were and we just never got a good smooth run, but he really stayed on well,” Williams said.

Rating: 8.5/10

FIFTH – TIJUANA (Mark Zahra, $12)

We say: Demonstrated his tactical versatility by settling off the pace rather than controlling things as he did last time at The Valley. He was given every possible chance and has just been beaten by better horses on the day.

They say: “He was game in defeat. Every chance,” said Zahra.

Rating: 7.5/10

SIXTH – AMENABLE (Damien Oliver, $13)

We say: Ran well, settling in the second half of the field and closing off purposefully out wide to be beaten only a length. He’s been going well without winning this prep.

They say: “He ran pretty well. He had a nice run from a wide-ish gate. There were no excuses for him, but he’s run sixth beaten about a length. I think he’s going to be a nicer horse next preparation, too. He’ll be a bit stronger.”

Rating: 7/10

SEVENTH – THE FORTUNE TELLER (Jamie Kah, $31)

We say: Had to work early and cover ground before getting into a good spot behind the leaders in third. He briefly looked a winning hope in the straight, but the early work eventually counted against him and he ran well under the circumstances.

They say: “Good effort. The horse just needs to mature a lot, but I was pretty impressed with that. I think he’s going to be a really nice horse in the autumn,” said Kah.

Rating: 7/10

EIGHTH – BANK MAUR (Jye McNeil, $21)

We say: Was never able to get closer than three wide from his wide draw and did a good job to be beaten only a length-and-a-half.

They say: “He ran fantastic from an awkward draw, but I couldn’t be more proud of him,” said McNeil.

Rating: 7/10

NINETH – DASHING (Linda Meech, $101)

We say: Did a bit of work early to lead at a bolter’s price and gave a great sight but the classier runners got the better of him at the business end of the race.

They say: “I thought he ran terrific. It probably wasn’t ideal leading, but I got across pretty easily,” said Meech.

Rating: 6/10

10TH – ELKINGTON ROAD (Jamie Mott, $31)

We say: Landed in a great spot off the speed without having to do any work. He looked to travel well in transit but didn’t have the clearest of runs home but was still getting to the line fairly well when he was clear late.

They say: “Super run. He’s a really nice horse in the making and he’s still quite new at the moment but he’s got good talent,” said Mott.

Rating: 7/10

11TH – MERIDIUS (Damian Lane, $17)

We Say: Probably got too far back after drawing wide but I still thought he finished off the race well. He’s not bred to be a Derby horse, but it will be interesting to see if connections decide to press on and step him up in trip.

They say: “Really good run. He just ended up in the worst spot in the race in the run and sprinted home well without any luck,” said Lane.

Rating: 6.5/10

12TH – FOUJITA SAN (Damien Thornton, $26)

We say: Settled at the rear and ran past a few without threatening.

They say: “Ok for further,” said Thornton.

Rating: 5/10

13TH – SIR BAILEY (Ethan Brown, $51)

We say: He probably found them a bit sharp for him over a mile as he got left behind a little when they quickened, however, he should have finished closer as he was ridden for luck in the straight and never really received any. You would think that he’ll press on towards the Derby over a distance that he’s bred to relish.

They say: “He was slow to muster speed. Landed in an awkward spot throughout but they were a bit sharp for him over a mile. I think getting out will really suit him,” said Brown.

Rating: 6/10

14TH – SKYPHIOS (Harry Coffey, $151)

We say: It was always going to be tough for him first-up in a race like this. He got back a long way and although he was never in contention, he got to the line satisfactorily. He’ll be better for the run and when he gets up in distance.

They say: “Good run. Just needs a bit further. I was happy though,” said Coffey.

Rating: 5/10

15TH – MILLANE (Luke Nolen, $16)

We say: Forget run. He covered ground, over-raced and looked to get into trouble in the middle stages. It just wasn’t his day.

They say: “Didn’t run it out,” said Nolen.

Rating: 3.5/10

LAST – LETHAL THOUGHTS (Michael Dee, $101)

We say: Did a bit of work early to get across and settle second before weakening out in the straight. He was in better form last prep than what he is now.

They say: “Not sure he’s breathing that well. Jumped OK, travelled good outside the leader and I thought we were going to come into it but he just blew out late,” said Dee.

Rating: 3/10