The time-honoured Easter Cup and Neds Victoria Handicap headline another exciting program at Caulfield on Saturday, April 16.
There are nine winners to be found, and I am confident that I’ve unearthed a few of them below in my 2022 Easter Cup Day Tips.
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Bert Bryant Handicap (1200m) – 12:20pm
Tip: No. 1 Czar
Czar has made just one appearance at the races so far, but he couldn’t have been more impressive on debut, and he can continue his rise through the grades on Easter Cup Day.
The Russian Revolution colt showed promise at the trials prior to debuting, and put the writing on the wall at Hawkesbury earlier this month.
With improvement, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
Noel Rundle Handicap (1100m) – 12:55pm
Tip: No. 3 Snapper
Snapper can bounce back into the winner’s stall at Caulfield this week.
The classy son of Power recorded consecutive wins over 1200m at The Valley two and three starts, and he was far from disgraced when eighth, beaten just over two lengths in the William Reid Stakes last time.
This is an enormous drop in class, he’s rock-hard fit and the $6 about him at publish looks a touch of overs.
Jack Elliot Handicap (2400m) – 1:30pm
Tip: No. 1 Point Nepean
Point Nepean looks well placed to make it two in a row on Easter Cup Day.
The Macedon Lodge galloper was only just denied in a photo finish at Sandown when resuming this time, and he made light work of his rivals on Golden Mile Day at Bendigo, extending late to record a five-length win.
He’ll only improve third-up, and he is my best bet on the program.
Listed Elvis Thurgood Galilee Series Final (2400m) – 2:05pm
Tip: No. 12 Mamounia
Mamounia has returned some lovely efforts since resuming, and the Galilee Series Final looks a lovely target for her.
The Medaglia D’oro finished second, beaten a nose in Class 1 company when resuming this time, and she returned from a freshen-up to fill the minors behind Honeycreeper in the Adrian Knox Stakes on Day 1 of The Championships.
She’ll improve for that effort, this looks a substantially weaker race, and her winning claims have been enhanced by the booking of Jamie Kah.
Geoff Murphy Handicap (1100m) – 2:45pm
Tip: No. 8 No Way Ever
This shapes as one of the more open races on Easter Cup Day, and a horse like No Way Ever can win at a nice price ($9 at publish).
No Way Ever stamped herself as a filly to watch during her brief debut prep, and she returned to the races with a career-best effort to win at Sandown.
She strips fitter, she’s another who is treated well under the conditions at Caulfield on Saturday, and we can have an each-way play at the price.
Bill Collins Handicap (1100m) – 3:30pm
Tip: No. 5 Jump The Broom
Jump The Broom doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and this looks the perfect opportunity for her to step up to Saturday metro grade.
The Sebring mare won on debut at Geelong last June, and she hasn’t looked back, winning each of her four career starts in impressive fashion.
She steps out this week second-up, and Victorian Jockey Premiership leader Jye McNeil can give her every chance to win again.
Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) – 4:10pm
Tip: No. 2 Pondus
Pondus looks the one to beat in this year’s Easter Cup.
He has been excellent since arriving in Australia, and Pondus returned to winning form at Flemington on All-Star Mile Day this year, comfortably accounting for some good horses.
He was last seen finishing second behind the talented Crystal Pegasus in the Neds Mornington Cup, and I think that the drop back to 2000m this week will be key in a return to winning form.
Group 3 Neds Victoria Handicap (1400m) – 4:45pm
Tip: No. 9 Ayrton
Ayrton will make his eagerly awaited return to the races in the Neds Victoria Handicap, and I am more than happy to have something on.
He was excellent during his three-year-old prep, and put paid to talented fields on several occasions.
His spring prep was cut short when he sustained a minor ailment in September, but he has reportedly flourished in his time away from racing, and the $2.70 about him in Neds Victoria Handicap betting could prove to be big overs.
Robert Taranto Handicap (1600m) – 5:20pm
Tip: No. 6 Glint Of Hope
Glint Of Hope can continue her impressive run of form in the last on Easter Cup Day.
The Deep Impact filly has hardly put a hoof wrong since debuting, and she has missed placing only once in seven career starts.
She won at Pakenham when resuming this time, was only just denied at Sandown last time out, and she is primed to strike third-up under Jye McNeil.
