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Ladbrokes Blog: Christmas Stakes Day Preview 2023

3 minute read

Caulfield will play host to this year's Boxing Day metropolitan race meeting.

Picture: Racing Photos

For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.

The $200k Listed Christmas Day Stakes will headline the eight race program and will be the second of a black type running double with the Listed Lord Stakes also set to be run and won.

The rail will be in the true position and and the track is currently rated a good 4.

Our Ladbrokes preview can be found below.

RACE 1 - 1:15PM: DENNIS HANRAHAN HANDICAP 3YO BM70 (1800 METRES)

Bold Soul kicked off his career in fine style with a comfortable win over 1350m at Donald.

The son of Embellish then came here, where he turned out a very encouraging performance to finish less than a length from the winner in BM70 grade.

After settling fifth in the seven horse field he just looked a bit flat footed when the sprint went on but worked home strongly over the final part, taking ground off the leaders late.

The step to 1800m looks ideal and he should get the right run from gate five under Billy Egan. 

1 unit – BOLD SOUL

BET NOW: Caulfield Race 1

RACE 2 - 1:50PM: JOE BROWN HANDICAP BM70 FILLIES AND MARES (1400 METRES)

Versilia returns to the races.

Despite going winless last campaign, she was ultra consistent, performing well in all bar one of her appearances and placing on several occasions.

She does race well fresh and comes here off a recent 800m jump out where she was allowed to settle back and worked to the line well under little pressure.

The form around her is solid and she looks well placed here kicking off over 1400m. 

Jye McNeil goes on for Danny O'Brien and barrier five should see her afforded every chance.

1 units – VERSILIA

BET NOW: Caulfield Race 2

RACE 3 - 2:25PM: FRANK O'BRIEN HANDICAP BM64 (1400 METRES)

Explosive Thinker returned to the races with a very impressive victory at Moonee Valley earlier this month.

Off a wide gate he was sent forward to take up a position outside the leader and proved too strong in the straight, showing a good kick to pull away and score by just over two lengths. 

Only lightly raced with just the four starts, he has now recorded two wins and a third placing and he looks to have plenty of upside.

A son of So You Think, he looks well suited here up to 1400m and Jamie Kah goes onboard for the Griffiths / de Kock team. 

1 unit – EXPLOSIVE THINKER

BET NOW: Caulfield Race 3

RACE 4 - 3:00PM: ALLAN WICKS HANDICAP BM70 (1600 METRES)

Plenty Of Ammo will look to make it four straight wins this prep and she looks well placed to do so.

A late starter, the five year old mare made her debut back in March where she played up in the barriers and must have knocked her head as she was found to have blood in her nostrils post race.

Subsequently sent to the paddock, she has returned in terrific order, having not put a foot wrong and really dominating her races.

Breaking her maiden at Warrnambool she let down strongly over the final part after a three wide run. 

She then headed to Ballarat where she left her rivals in her wake, putting up a 4.75 length margin and doing so off a wide run.

Last time, she stepped out over the mile on the Lakeside and was far too good again scoring by 4.25 length after being eased down over the final part.

It's hard to see anything getting the better of her in this and from the wide gate she'll roll forward and should prove hard to beat again.

2 units – PLENTY OF AMMO

BET NOW: Caulfield Race 4

RACE 5 - 3:40PM: KEN STURT HANDICAP BM70 (1100 METRES)

Mrs Chrissie resumes.

The daughter of Per Incanto showed good ability last campaign saluting by a big margin in a BM64 at Ballarat before going on to place in some strong form races. 

Only lightly raced, the five year old has made nice progression throughout her short career and she does race particularly well fresh.

A winner of two from three first up, she comes here off two jump outs, where she was very impressive in her most recent, winning the heat comfortably under very little pressure.

She's drawn to get the right run under Carleen Hefel, who knows her well and will take 1.5kgs off.

1 unit – MRS CHRISSIE

BET NOW: Caulfield Race 5

RACE 6 - 4:20PM: MAGIC MILLIONS LORD STAKES LISTED (1700 METRES)

Ain'tnodeeldun will take his place after several scratchings in recent weeks have seen him not start since saluting in the Group Three JRA Cup on Cox Plate eve.

The Dundeel gelding had been racing in superb form, putting together three successive wins for the second time in his career. 

Prepared by the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winning combination of Anthony and Sam Freedman, the six year old was given an 800m jump out late last month to keep him ticking over he looks well suited here dropping back to 1700m. 

Billy Egan remains unbeaten on the gelding, having partnered him at his past three outings and from barrier four he's set to receive every chance, as the pair look to keep their perfect record in tact.

1 unit – AIN'TNODEELDUN

BET NOW: Caulfield Race 6

RACE 7 - 5:00PM: NICK JOHNSTONE REAL ESTATE CHRISTMAS STAKES LISTED (1100 METRES)

It's been a long time between drinks for Generation but he's been performing well in some very tough races and will enjoy getting back to Caulfield.

A two time Group Three winner, the Snitzel entire has competed against some quality opposition throughout his career and another win doesn't appear far away. 

He didn't have the best of luck last start over the 1000m at Cranbourne, with limited room to make a rails run in the straight he was forced to switch across heels and worked home well to grab third.

The way he's been finishing off suggests the step to 1100m is what he's looking for and he does boast a very tidy record here at Caulfield.

He gets the advantage of the inside draw and Dylan Browne McMonagle will take the mount for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

1 unit – GENERATION

BET NOW: Caulfield Race 7

RACE 8 - 5:40PM: TAKE IT TO THE NEDS LEVEL HANDICAP BM84 (1400 METRES)

Lounge Bar Rubi resumed with a solid effort down the Flemington straight before just struggling in the heavy conditions last time. 

Under 62kgs the Rubick gelding kept working to the line strongly over the 1100m and looked well placed second up stepping to 1400m but the rain came, taking away any chance he had, as he blundered on a couple of occasions over the final part.  

He worked through his grades with ease last campaign, putting together four on the trot and he looks to have come back in great order.

Fitter for the two runs, he'll enjoy getting back on a firmer surface and he did win well over this course and distance last preparation.

Jamie Mott goes back aboard and with any luck from the draw, he'll be right in this. 

1 unit – LOUNGE BAR RUBI

BET NOW: Caulfield Race 8


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