The Might and Power is the first of three Group 1’s on this Saturday’s card at Caulfield as punters get another look at current Ladbrokes Cox Plate favourite Zaaki.
The now two-time Group 1 winner is again at unbackable odds to make it six wins on the trot, with the Jamie Richards-trained Probabeel looking the only real danger in the field of six.
With $1 million up for grabs, our thoughts on the Might and Power can be found here!
Homesman
Dual Group 1 winner Homesman is as tough as they come, returning to the races in great order two weeks ago at Moonee Valley to finish three-quarters of a length off Secret Blaze over the same journey in the JRA Cup.
He’s one of the few going around that can claim he finished 1.5L off Zaaki at Eagle Farm last prep, while the fact he’s a three-time winner over this journey warrants plenty of respect.
Will no doubt give this a good shake.
Zaaki
All eyes were on Incentivise last week, but it is Zaaki who will grab the headlines this Saturday as he continues his assault on the Cox Plate.
Annabel Neasham’s seven-year-old is now into as short as $1.80 ahead of the $5 million feature in a fortnight’s time, and this is no doubt his race to lose as he looks to extend his unbeaten streak to six in a row.
The star stayer made short work of the small field in the Underwood winning by two lengths over Probabeel, and he should have her covered again on Saturday with fitness on his side.
Out over further, he’s impossible to back against.
Nonconformist
Nonconformist won the Naturalism in his third run back at Caulfield two weeks ago over a similar journey where he clocked some speedy sectionals in the finish.
He’s facing a much tougher task here against the top stayer in the country, but as a two-time track and distance winner, there is a case to be made for the son of Rebel Raider running a place.
Nickajack Cave
Nickajack Cave is having his first run back after finishing well down the straight in the Tancred back in August.
He does have strong form line first-up as well as at Caulfield, but this looks beyond him.
Probabeel
Probabeel has having another race at weight-for-age in preparation for the Cox Plate.
The three-time Group 1 winner gave a good sight when fifth in the Sir Rupert Clarke two runs back and was understandably beaten two-lengths to Zaaki last time out in the Underwood.
She’s once again the main danger to the favourite, but how she handles 2000m for just the third time in her career remains to be seen.
No Effort
No Effort is facing a sharp rise to Group 1 level for the first time following a disappointing run in the Naturalism two weeks ago.
She went all-the-way to win the Heatherlie two back and has won previously over the track and trip, but still looks outclassed here.
The Might and Power Tip
2 Zaaki at $1.24
