Caulfield Blackbookers May 9 – Horses to follow from Saturday racing at Caulfield

Natural Fling looks a filly with a serious future after a dominant debut win at Caulfield. The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained youngster overcame an awkward start before mustering quickly from barrier 2 to find the lead. Once in front, she controlled the race completely and never gave her rivals a chance, cruising clear for an emphatic victory. The performance was backed up by the clock, recording the second-fastest last 200m of the entire meeting despite doing work early in the run. That combination of early speed and late strength suggests she has above-average ability, while her professionalism under pressure impressed just as much as the winning margin. Natural Fling now heads towards the Queensland carnival and shapes as a filly capable of measuring up in much stronger company.

It was an improved performance by Almairac in Race 2 and the Cliff Brown-trained galloper was a fraction unlucky not to claim the major prize after finishing runner-up behind Simurgh. He jumped well from barrier 10 but was posted wide without cover before striding up to sit outside the leader at the 1200m. The six-year-old was then involved in a three-way battle from a long way out but kept kicking while the other two dropped out of contention. He led with 100m to go but was a sitting duck for the race favourite, who gained the upper hand late. That was the third run of his current preparation and the son of Golden Horn should be ready to produce at his next start, particularly as he steps out further in trip.

It was a nice performance by Bella Verona in Race 4, stepping up from a debut maiden win to finish a narrow runner-up. The Matt Laurie-trained filly settled in a midfield position and was held up at a crucial stage as they rounded the home turn. She also laid out under pressure in the straight but still came home strongly with the fastest last 200m, narrowly missing behind Jewel Of Heaven. The daughter of Castelvecchio looks to have a bright future and we can expect to see more of her in Saturday grade.

It was another positive step for Marble Arch in her return to racing, finishing fourth behind Brave One in Race 7. The Team Hayes mare had a one-start spring campaign for a sixth at Group 2 level in the Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington before resuming at that track on ANZAC Day with a third behind Big Swinger. She was posted wide without cover throughout at Caulfield but kept coming strongly with the fastest last 200m of the entire meeting. The Blamey Stakes (1600m) winner from last year looks to be somewhere near that form again and is one to keep an eye on over her next couple of starts.