Caulfield Heath Blackbookers August 8 – Horses to follow and blackbookers from Caulfield on Saturday August 8

Here are our blackbookers and horses to follow from the action.

Nice return by Put To The Sword first-up after a short two-start autumn campaign. The three-year-old raced keenly through the middle stages before running into plenty of traffic when the race was there to be won, initially held up around the home turn and then twice disappointed for clear running in the straight. Once finally into the clear, Put To The Sword rattled home to clock the fastest final 200m of the race and was beaten just half a length as the two favourites, Stakes and Commit, fought out the finish. There should be plenty of improvement to come from the run and with better luck in running next time, Put To The Sword looks ready to win.

High On The Heel was a little unlucky not to make a winning return, going down narrowly to Behaviour as an easing $4.20 chance, with the pair putting a three-length gap on the remainder of the field. First-up after a two-month break, High On The Heel was held up rounding the home turn and did not obtain clear running until approaching the 300m, before producing the fastest final 200m of the race. It was an encouraging return despite the defeat and with natural improvement to come second-up, he looks well placed to go one better at his next start.

Excellent return from Welcometotheshow at his first run back from a spell. The former bush galloper worked his way impressively through the grades last preparation with four consecutive wins, but wasn't expected to be at his best first-up over 1200m given his strongest form has come over 1600m. Sent out an easing $41 chance, he defied the market to nearly pinch the race despite being held up around the home turn and unable to shift into clear running until passing the 200m. It was a huge effort under the circumstances and he should only improve as he gets deeper into the preparation and steps up in distance. Jump on board in similar grade over his next couple of starts, while he might be one to consider later on with the feature races just around the corner.