Two State Attack on Stakes Races

The weather might not be warming up but spring racing action is with big days in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide this weekend. And we are heading to two of those meetings - Caulfield and Morphettville - with well credentialled runners.

At Caulfield the lightly raced and promising Famechon takes his place in the fourth event on a strong card, the The Inglis Bonus Handicap.

Whilst he is still a maiden, the son of Haradasun has always been well regarded and we are looking forward to seeing him up to 1700m for the first time.

"He is getting up towards his right trip for the first time," Michael Moroney said, adding that the colt "is a pretty nice staying type in the making."

A horse he says has thrown very much to his dam sire Galileo, Famechon has had just the three starts but the VRC Derby is pencilled in as his main spring target.

"The only question mark with him is that he can show coltish tendencies now and again," Moroney said.

Tough mare Octavia returns to her favourite track and trip in the Group Three Sportingbet Sprint.

Enduring a rather tough run over 1400m at Flemington a couple of weeks ago, Octavia has been beaten only once in four starts over the Caulfield 1200m and she has drawn perfectly in barrier one.

"We have had to keep the work up to her as if you keep her fresh she just doesn't do as well," Moroney reported.

"Our main query with her is the prospect of a slow track as she has not had much exposure to rain affected going."

Rhythm To Spare, a horse Moroney admits to being "bullish" about, is our third Caulfield runner - lining up in the Roy Higgins & Wylie Dalziel Racing Handicap.

Impressive saluting first up at Sandown off a break that saw him competitive over the Brisbane Winter Carnival, the son of Pins needs to win in order to secure himself a place in the Group One Toorak Handicap.

"He is a horse who shows signs of being up to better class," Moroney said - expressing concerns about barrier 15.

"But it should let him get some clear space and if he gets the right run he can prove hard to beat."

The last of our Caulfield runners (hopefully, as he is emergency) is Zabisco in the Group Three Naturalism Stakes.

"He still strip a long way fitter for his two runs this time in but he does need to show that he is up to this sort of class," Moroney said.

"He has improved since his last preparation but with so many well credentialled imports contesting the staying races the landscape has changed!"

Speaking of imports, we take our latest European - Araldo to Adelaide to contest the Listed Tokyo City Cup.

"We are well aware that his best for is over longer trips but we'd be disappointed if he didn't show something as a Group One placed horse in Listed company."

Te Karaka accompanies Araldo to Adelaide, racing in the Greg Oates Memorial Handicap.

Boasting consistent Victorian form, the High Chaparral gelding has drawn the outside gate (14) but "he is going really well."