Caulfield Blackbookers and horses to follow from Caulfield Cup Day on October 17

We have identified the runners that caught the eye and are worth adding to your Blackbook following Saturday's meeting.

Race 2 saw the fillies stretch out over 2000m in the Ethereal Stakes, one of the key lead-ups to the VRC Oaks (2500m), and it was Quick Finish who made it three wins in a row by leading all the way. Tharwa was excellent from the back of the field after settling last. The Chris Waller-trained filly was stepping up sharply in grade following a Warwick Farm maiden and didn't enjoy the smoothest passage, beginning slowly and bumping with Your Colour before being held up for clear running from the 500m until shifting to the outside near the 300m. She then rattled home with the fastest final 200m of the race to finish fourth in an eye-catching performance. Despite remaining a maiden after three starts, Tharwa has rocketed up the betting markets for the Oaks in a few weeks and looks a genuine contender if she can continue to improve.

Barracks was desperately unlucky not to come away with victory in the Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) after producing a terrific effort to finish runner-up. The on-pacers generally struggled due to the hot tempo, but Barracks sat outside the leader and was still there fighting at the finish. He was held up rounding the home turn before becoming unbalanced near the 250m when attempting to improve through a narrow gap between Pocketfullofcash and Jarbardar, with the latter shifting in before being corrected. Despite copping interference at the business end, Barracks picked himself up and came again, going down narrowly in what was a tough watch for those who backed him. Stepping up in grade following a Rosehill maiden victory, the three-year-old showed plenty of determination and looks to have a bright future.

Saint George was outstanding in finishing runner-up to Kingswood in the Caulfield Cup (2400m), producing a brave performance that has put him firmly in the picture for the Melbourne Cup (3200m). The Ciaron Maher-trained grey enjoyed an economical run from his barrier but was held up for clear running from the 400m until near the 250m before finishing strongly to be narrowly beaten. Jockey Craig Williams was full of praise for the gelding, describing his effort as terrific and crediting the stable for having him in such good order. The performance has also seen Saint George pass the Melbourne Cup ballot and move to 23rd in the order of entry, putting him in a strong position to secure a start in the 24-horse field. Stable representative Jack Turnbull has previously suggested the imported galloper has been crying out for more distance, and the step up to 3200m at Flemington looks ideal. With Caulfield Cup winner Kingswood not nominated for the Melbourne Cup, Saint George shapes as one of the key local form references heading into the first Tuesday in November and looks primed to run another big race.