In The Boat has been nothing short of outstanding recently, and he looms as the one to beat again in the first on Neds C.F. Orr Stakes Day.

In The Boat returned to winning form at The ‘Bool in October and simply hasn’t taken a backwards step since, winning each of his last four starts, highlighted by a dominant performance at The Valley last time.

He’s rock-hard fit and as long as he holds his form, I think he’ll be winning.

We don’t have to wait long for the black type to begin, and a strong edition of the Autumn Stakes comes up in Race 2.

With plenty of talented runners engaged, I think that fitness might prove key and for that reason, I’m going to stick with Decent Raine.

Decent Raine has been a consistent performer throughout her campaign and hasn’t missed placing at her last four trips to the races, finishing second in the Twilight Glow Stakes and striking at Flemington last time out.

The Blue Diamond Prelude for fillies looks to be an even more open contest and at publish, we’re faced with around $5 the field.

Her sixth placing on debut doesn’t look incredible on paper, but I’mlovin’ya reeled off some slick sectionals in the Preview here a fortnight ago, and I think that she can win this race.

I’mlovin’ya settled at the tail of the field on that occasion, and she simply left herself too much work to do late.

Jamie Kah can sit her closer to the pace in this contest, and I think that the $11 available at publish could prove big overs.

Scorched Earth has recorded two wins from as many starts back this time, and the Kevin Hayes Stakes looks a lovely bit of black type for her.

The daughter of Nicconi has always hinted at above-average ability and she has raced well around some good horses, and in some good races since debuting.

She really doesn’t look to be putting it all together this time, however, and her wins at Flemington and here at Caulfield have been excellent.

This is a tough task, but I think that she is up to it.

Open Minded keeps his best form for here at Caulfield, and he’s the one I want to be with in the Carlyon Cup.

The five-year-old son of Jimmy Choux was pipped late when third at Flemington in December, but he has taken advantage of his position on the pace at his last two starts, both here at Caulfield, and led all the way.

Damien Thorton can take him forward again this week from barrier 3, and his fitness edge can see him overcome some talented rivals like Spanish Mission.

I absolutely love the Rubiton Stakes – it always draws a talented field, and it has proven to be a happy hunting ground for me from a betting perspective.

I also couldn’t be a bigger fan of Artorius, and I am more than happy to stick with him in the Rubiton Stakes 2022.

Artorius enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence in 2021, and he won the Neds Blue Diamond at just his third career start.

While he is yet to return to those peaks, has continued to race well in some of our best three-year-old contests, and I think he will relish every bit of 1100m at Caulfield.

If this race is any indication, we’re in for a huge year of Group 1 feature racing, and I simply cannot wait for the Neds C.F. Orr Stakes.

I have I’m Thunderstruck on top, but be sure to check out my full race preview and complete 2022 Neds C.F. Orr Stakes Tips RIGHT HERE.