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Chris Scholtz previews the Caulfield Cup and Everest meetings in Melbourne and Sydney on October 16 with selections for all races plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.

CAULFIELD October 16

Best Bets

RACE 2: (1) Vianello

RACE 4: (10) Kapalua Sunset

RACE 7: (2) Colette

For Value

RACE 8: (6) Bless Her

RACE 9: (3) Explosive Jack

RACE 10: (9) Oxley Road

RACE 1: 7-5-13-10

RACE 2: 1-6-2-7

RACE 3: 4-3-7-2

RACE 4: 10-6-1-3

RACE 5: 6-1-13-4

RACE 6: 8-7-10-1

RACE 7: 2-3-8-6

RACE 8: 6-2-9-8

RACE 9: 3-12-15-2-10-16

RACE 10: 9-10-3-7

RANDWICK October 16

Best Bets

RACE 4: (5) Fangirl

RACE 10: (1) Equation

For Value

RACE 1: (14) Fox Fighter

RACE 5: (7) Edit

RACE 9: (9) Luncies

RACE 1: 14-3-12-7

RACE 2: 8-10-3-5

RACE 3: 2-4-9-12

RACE 4: 5-1-3-6

RACE 5: 7-3-6-1

RACE 6: 1-5-2-3

RACE 7: 2-1-4-3-6-8

RACE 8: 2-1-4-12

RACE 9: 9-2-13-5

RACE 10: 1-8-10-2 

RANDWICK MULTI

RACE 5 (7) EDIT: Tamworth trainer Cody Morgan landed a nice horse when this lightly raced 5YO arrived at his stable after two wins and two placings from his first six starts in New Zealand. After nine months off he could not have been more impressive winning first-up for the stable over 1200m at Tamworth, posting strong figures when he surged through the field from last to make open company rivals look second rate. He can only come on from that dominant performance and expect to see him stoking up for a big finish under the strong riding of Hugh Bowman.

RACE 4 FANGIRL (5): Family pride is at stake as her dam Little Surfer Girl won this race in 2009 and like her mum she is stepping up to black type at a similar stage of her career after just one previous win. She looks more than capable of rising to the challenge after posting a big maiden win by more than five lengths over 1400m at Goulburn and obviously James McDonald has faith in her potential as he has switched from her stablemate – a last start city maiden  winner – to partner this filly. By the way her dam recorded five of her seven wins on soft tracks!

RACE 10 (1) EQUATION: Ready to peak third up after two excusable efforts at this course since resuming. Looked very progressive winning four of his first five starts up to 1400m – all on affected tracks – and expect the seven day back up from his luckless sixth in last week's Silver Eagle (1300m) to work well for him. Rates to win in this easier class with the benefit of Brock Ryan's claim from the good draw.

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

Noted Trial Runners – October 16

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Looks Like Elvis (R2); Art Cadeau (R5); Signore Fox (R6); Classique Legend (R7); Eduardo (R7); Sagacious (R10)

NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Sachello (R2); Soarhi (R3); Smirk (R4); Satin Ribbons (R8)

CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Lashes (R8); Malkovich (R10)

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Rebel Rama; Espiona; Pascal; Field Wiri; Aim; Minhaaj; Siege; Eyewitness; Midori Beauty; Le Vizir; Zou De Moon; Kementari; Smirnova; Sejarden; Coolangatta; Ka Bling; Able Willie; Villaden; Norwegian Bliss; Yonkers; Barossa Rosa.

TRIAL POINTERS

RANDWICK October 8: CLASSIQUE LEGEND was given first use of the A grass and was ridden with confidence by Kerrin McEvoy to sit one our one back in his 1050m heat (63.04; 33.93) before cruising to the leaders under a big hold inside the last 200m. His margin was less than a head in a three way finish but nobody can doubt Les Bridge has him on song to defend his Everest title first-up. The question is will his three trials be enough or will the lack of match practice find him out under race pressure. EDUARDO was reserved for a shorter 735m heat and wasn't out to break the clock (43.50; 33.48). He led easily with Nash Rawiller allowing him to do as much as was required to coast home by more than a length.

WARWICK FARM October 5: GYTRASH finished third in an 800m trial won by Blazing Miss on the course proper (46.98; 33.17). He was in a line of four behind the leaders at the 500m but came off the bit and was put under a ride from the 400m. He only picked up in the last 50 metres to be beaten 2.6 lengths and while he will be better over 1200m under race conditions it did not build confidence in his Everest prospects. It would be a contest to find a quicker horse over 800m in Sydney than MALKOVICH. He won an 800m trial by eight lengths on his home track on September 21 and this was a repeat as he flew over the same trip, going much faster than the Blazing Miss heat (45.98; 32.88). He is set to fly first-up in any short course sprint first-up. The good mare LASHES, having her second trial after a sharp win at Warwick Farm on September 21, chased keenly to finish second and is set to perform well in her right class first-up.

HAWKESBURY September 27: In the fastest 1000m heat (59.23; 33.45) the Kosciuszko contender ART CADEAU put in a strong effort to finish second in his first trial since April.

RANDWICK September 24: A big field contested the Group trial over 1050m but CLASSIQUE LEGEND was a class above them surging to a dominant 2.6 lengths win in fast time (62.21; 33.42) to back up his earlier trial win at Randwick on September 10. Kerrin McEvoy let a couple of rivals take up the running, content to sit behind the lead on the rail. When clear running presented at the 300m CLASSIQUE LEGEND railed through quickly and easily put three lengths on the pack between the 200m and 100m before coasting to the line. Stradbroke placed SIGNORE FOX was responsible for excellent trial, steaming home from last to fill second. The fast filly SATIN RIBBONS set the standard in the 740m heats (43.06; 32.51) to add her big record in short course trials. She won her second start over 900m at Newcastle last season and has come back stronger.

WARWICK FARM September 21: MALKOVICH cleared out to win his 800m heat on the course proper by more than eight lengths, breaking 46 seconds in the process (45.73; 32.70). LASHES won an 800m heat in good style (47.01; 33.50) to back up a similar result in a Wyong trial earlier in the month. The fastest maiden heat winner SACHELLO (46.98; 33.60) shared the lead on the outside and looks to have come on well from her only start last season as she was never under full pressure to get the upper hand.

RANDWICK September 10: The 740m trials saw SIGNORE FOX surge home under a tight grip to beat Sweet Deal and subsequent winner Aim (44.14; 33.28).

BLACKBOOK REPORT

Eligible Blackbook Runners – October

RANDWICK SATURDAY: Gytrash (R7); Purrfect Deal (R9)

CAULFIELD SATURDAY: Vianello (R2); Nimalee (R7); Persan (R8); Young Werther (R8); Charms Star (R8)

NOWRA SUNDAY: Sally Pops (R6)

HORSHAM SUNDAY: Real Sensation (R8)

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Minhaaj; I'm Thunderstruck; Elusive Express; Montefilia; Belluci Babe; Shihonka; High Supremacy; Kiss The Bride; She's Ideel; Atishu; Yearning; Hitotsu; Love Tap; Mr Mozart; Animate; Entriviere; Contemptuous; Jamaea.

Blackbookers – Selected October 9

(Follow for next 3 starts)

BELLUCI BABE: Measured up to the class rise. Going well.

BLACKCOMB: Certainty beaten. Last 400m was a nightmare.

BROOKLYN HUSTLE: Never tested. She's ready.

COUNT DE RUPEE: Interference cost him dearly.

HASTA LA WAR: Ideal type for the big country cups.

RENOSU: Excellent debut. Sure to benefit from the experience.

SUPERSTORM: Follow through the carnival.