Caulfield
Race 5 – Salsa Fellow
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1100m – Barrier 1
Talented sprinter Salsa Fellow is second-up and fitter when he heads to Caulfield this afternoon. The gelded son of Blue Point was a solid runner-up at Flemington when resuming behind Celerity, who has since run well again in town, giving that filly 7kg over 1000-metres. Out in trip today suits, jockey Mitch Aitken able to find cover behind the speed from the inside alley before looking to gather them up in the home straight.
Just a field of seven in this, expecting Declared, Along The River and La Astro Chat to all roll forward and have a look for the top early, setting up lovely trails for Expulsion and Salsa Fellow. Declared comes here on the back of a strong first-up win in Adelaide and gets in well after an apprentice claim. This is tougher but he should get all the favours from a soft draw. The one to beat. Damehood has jumped out well ahead of her return and you can connect formlines with Salsa Fellow through her run behind Behaviour last preparation. Likely to need the run but will be flashing late. Each way chance. Along The River and Expulsion not with claims in an even affair.
Salsa Fellow is unbeaten from two second-up attempts and his first-up run suggests he’s returned in terrific order. He’ll need even luck from the inside barrier, but if the gaps appear at the right time, he’ll prove mighty hard to hold out. Strong claims.
Currently, Salsa Fellow is a $6.50 chance in the market.
Caulfield
Race 6 – Paradise Storm
Jockey – Michael Dee
2000m – Barrier 4
Improving galloper Paradise Storm is second-up and fitter when he gets out to 2000-metres at Caulfield this afternoon. The gelded son of Masked Marvel hit the line strongly when resuming at Warrnambool, finishing on the heels of the placegetters when few could make ground on the day. Jockey Michael Dee leaves from an ideal gate and can let his galloper find his feet in the early parts, likely settling one or two pairs back with cover before looking to run on in the home straight.
Speed is drawn on the inside with Active Duty and Opening Address to battle for the lead early, while others will look to enjoy soft trails just behind. Dublin Journal hits this fourth-up and has improved with each run this preparation. He won at this stage last time in and does have a solid record at the track/trip (5:2-0-1). Looks the one to beat. Suntora is racing in good fashion and gets in light after the apprentice claim. She’ll be finishing strongly, next best. Each way chances to Active Duty and Opening Address, who could control the race and pinch a break in the home straight.
Paradise Storm was a positive run first-up and is suited out in trip today. He’ll be better over further again and the race shape could be against him today. Each way claims, hoping they skip along in front.
Currently, Paradise Storm is an $11 chance in the market.