Caulfield Guineas Racing Tips - Warwoven to gain upper hand, Call Me Coach value in 3YO feature

One of the most prestigious races for three-year-olds in Australian racing takes centre stage at Caulfield on Saturday, with a talented field assembled for the $3 million Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m). 

The race brings together the leading Sydney and Melbourne form lines, headed by Golden Rose (1400m) winner Warwoven and unbeaten spring prospect Blind Raise. With several emerging stars looking to announce themselves on the biggest stage, the traditional mile contest promises to be one of the highlights of the opening day of the Caulfield Cup Carnival.

Warwoven ($2.20) heads the betting following his outstanding victory in the Group 1 Golden Rose at Rosehill. The Bjorn Baker-trained colt has won his past two starts, completing the Run To The Rose (1200m)–Golden Rose double, and was particularly impressive when powering clear by more than three lengths last time out. The son of Sword Of State now steps to 1600m for the first time and will be looking to extend his winning sequence under Rachel King. He has drawn barrier six and appears well placed to continue his rise.

Blind Raise ($3.70) is the leading local challenger after winning both starts this preparation for Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young. The son of Ace High resumed with an impressive victory at Sandown before producing an outstanding performance in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m). He was forced to work early before settling outside the leader but still had plenty to offer in the straight, racing clear to score by 2.8 lengths. His closing sectionals were particularly strong, and the step to 1600m looks ideal. Blake Shinn takes the ride from barrier two.

Chris Waller has a strong hand as he attempts to claim a third consecutive Caulfield Guineas, with four runners engaged. Tron Bolt ($7.50) is already a Group 1 winner over 1600m, having claimed the JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) in Brisbane during the winter. He was fifth in the Golden Rose last start and should appreciate returning to the mile, although barrier 11 presents a challenge. Stablemate Diameter ($21) comes through a narrow victory in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield, where he defeated fellow Guineas contender Somethings Burnin' ($27). Both have the advantage of proven form over the track and distance.

Call Me Coach ($18) is another fascinating runner despite having only two career starts. The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained colt has won both appearances, most recently scoring impressively at Cranbourne. Mark Zahra has been particularly complimentary of his ability, and the son of Dundeel will attempt to emulate Super Seth, who won the Guineas with Zahra aboard in 2019. The lightly raced colt faces a significant rise in class but possesses considerable upside.

The Caulfield Guineas has a rich history of producing future champions, with Redoute's Choice, Lonhro, The Autumn Sun and Anamoe among its celebrated winners. The Golden Rose has become a particularly important form reference, with eight of the past 14 Guineas winners having contested that race at their previous start. 

The Caulfield Guineas is Race 8 on the programme and is sandwiched between two other big Group One races, coming after the Might And Power Stakes and before the Toorak Handicap. 

Blind Raise looks the likely leader from barrier two and should have little trouble finding the front, while Warwoven is mapped to settle in midfield from barrier six. The main on-speed possibilities behind Blind Raise are less obvious, with Tron Bolt and Tornado Valley expected to settle in the midfield-to-backmarker range and Call Me Coach also likely to be ridden conservatively.

Diameter is mapped to settle midfield, with Central Europe and Unit Five further back in the midfield-to-backmarker division. Seraphox, Wolf Gap, Somethings Burnin' and Tornado Valley are among those expected to settle towards the rear.

The map suggests Blind Raise could enjoy a significant tactical advantage if Blake Shinn is able to dictate terms without pressure. Warwoven has the ability to produce a powerful finish but may need to make up ground around the Caulfield circuit, while Tron Bolt faces the additional challenge of overcoming a wide barrier. The tempo will be crucial, particularly for those runners relying on a strong finish.

Impossible to go past Warwoven in the Caulfield Guineas. The Bjorn Baker-trained colt showed promise as a two-year-old but has clearly returned a better horse this preparation, producing a solid win in the Run To The Rose (1200m) second-up before dominating his rivals in the Golden Rose (1400m). The son of Sword Of State ran serious time in the process, going 14.5 lengths faster than standard benchmark, which is around four lengths better than the next-best figure produced by any runner in this field. The Sydney form has proven a strong guide to this race in recent years and he should get every chance to continue that trend. Barrier 6 gives him the opportunity to settle within striking distance in a race that doesn't appear to have an abundance of pressure, and he should get his chance to unleash late. He looks the one they all have to beat.

Call Me Coach faces a massive rise in grade but is an unbeaten galloper from the Anthony & Sam Freedman yard who looks to have plenty of upside. He won his maiden at Hawkesbury on debut before stepping out in Benchmark 66 company at Cranbourne last start, where he justified his $1.35 quote with an easy victory in a four-horse field. He sat outside the leader on that occasion and produced some impressive closing splits, going 9.2 lengths faster than standard benchmark over the final 600m, suggesting there is plenty of talent to work with. We are banking on further improvement from the son of The Autumn Sun, who should appreciate the rise to 1600m and ticks a few boxes from barrier 5. Mark Zahra takes the ride and has an excellent record for the stable, striking at around 25% while producing a healthy profit on turnover. This is obviously much harder, but he has untapped upside and appeals as the value runner.