Foreign Friday heads to Caulfield this week with late-night racing from Australia, featuring Tom’s 22-to-1 international insights and Rich’s data-driven rankings for Races 6 through 10. This card offers a strong mix of proven class, improving runners, and tactical pace setups, making it an excellent slate for identifying value and understanding race shape. Below, each race is broken down with Tom’s commentary paired directly with Rich’s rankings to give you a complete picture from multiple angles.
🏇 RACE 6 – Vale Durston (10:00 pm ET)
Tom’s Tips
10 – Midnight Glow
Ran fifth in first start after 20 weeks away from the races. A bit wide but came on late, indicating he may need a run. He’s won and placed second up, and with a better start today, he has a good chance.
5 – Stylish Secret
He appeared to be a little “rank” early last time between runners. He got going but ran on for fifth in an even effort. Same level and distance today, plus the trainer has been adding distance from the previous efforts. A 58% in the money percentage.
3 – Paradise Storm
In the last run, some issues early, but a strong finish at the end. Second up he has done well in the past and appears to be at the right level.
9 – Active Duty
Used early and in the middle of the race, then finished but ran on for fourth last time. Adds distance today and has run second twice from two starts at 2000m. The quick turnaround of 7 days shows the trainer’s confidence in the readiness.
Rich’s Ranks
9 – Active Duty – 3rd up and by far his best races on Good – nice stalking trip
6 – Suntora – maybe the favorite – fractions were a little better last out despite going longer
4 – Opening Address – could be lone speed – has a win out front at Caulfield
7 – Steel Run – solid on Good footing 6/2-2-0 – first up is questionable
🏇 RACE 7 – W.J. Adams Stakes (10:35 pm ET)
Tom’s Tips
4 – Oak Hill
After running second in a benchmark 100 race, then a layoff, he returned to the races after two trials and ran second in the last one. He’s won his only race at this distance at this track and has six wins from eleven starts. He’s really good first up with running four times and winning three of them. Big winning effort today.
6 – Geegees Mistruth
He ran second at 1200m last time at Flemington in a group three race, and the race before, he ran second in a group two race at this distance. He has a trial running fifth coming into today’s race. He won once at this distance and ran second in the other effort. He’s been in the money 79% from his fourteen races.
1 – Insurrection
He has never been out of the money at this distance with five starts, three wins, and two seconds. He had three trials leading into this race, running second in two of them and winning the other. Top effort today in his return.
Rich’s Ranks
3 – Midwest – pretty big drop in class and ran well at this level
6 – Geegees Mistruth – another class dropper and can run on any footing
7 – Beast Mode – speed and has wins at higher levels
8 – Philosopher – lone P horse between speed and closers – could get an excellent trip
🏇 RACE 8 – Quayclean Manfred Stakes (11:10 pm ET)
Tom’s Tips
5 – Cyber Link
He won his only start last time at 1200m. He put his nose in front late and fought on. The name of the race was “Future Stars,” and based on a fast performance first time up, I think his second race will be even better than the first.
6 – Salty Pearl
She won his last race and overcame traffic issues. She’s using two trials coming into this race and has never been out of the money at this distance. I think she is ready, but it was not a winning effort today.
8 – Naifah
Big odds last time out and ran third in a listed race. She ran second in the race before being outfinished. These were decent efforts off two average runs before. I think she’s getting better with each start and is ready today to run in the money.
Rich’s Ranks
6 – Salty Pearl – ITM 6/7 on a Good track – drops – ok in first ups
3 – Romantic Encounter – nice drop in class – another P horse in the middle of S and C
5 – Cyber Link – 2nd race upside after nice win in debut – big step up in class
8 – Naifah – runs at essentially the same level – last race a little better than it looks
🏇 RACE 9 – Evergreen Turf John Dillon Stakes (11:45 pm ET)
Tom’s Tips
2 – Zou Sensation
It’s hard for me not to start with this horse. He won last time and has won three times at this racetrack. The form is very good, and this is the right race to get another win. Hopefully not too short a price.
8 – Extratwo
Two starts back, he ran a disappointing race. Last time out, he ran second in a Group Three at this distance, and it appears the gear change made the difference. She should sit middle pack and have plenty left for another strong finish. She’s one for one at this racetrack.
7 – Aztec Ruler
This horse has run well in the last three races, with a second in one. He had a troubled run last time, was held up at one point, and came home very wide. He gets weight off today and just needs a better trip and racing luck for a better finish.
Rich’s Ranks
2 – Zou Sensation – speed horse with the 3 but ran much faster times
11 – Justadeel – nice class drop – ITM 3/3 at the distance – 3 of 4 wins on Good
7 – Aztec Ruler – class dropper – should sit right off the pace
8 – Extratwo – signs of life in last – drops in class
🏇 RACE 10 – Sportsbet More Places Handicap (12:25 am ET)
Tom’s Tips
12 – Yes I Know
He’s run second and third in his last two efforts at Flemington at the benchmark 70 level. He was the favorite last time out. Today, they remove the blinkers and drop to 1800m, and I think that will make the difference.
1 – Black Storm
Is the speed of the race, and it’s just a question of can he hold on versus this field to get a placing. He won his trial and like this distance.
6 – Narbold
His last start was disappointing. Second up, he is much better, with one win and two placings from three starts. He has only one win in his career but comes from a top trainer.
5 – Touchdown
Rich’s Ranks
5 – Touchdown – only question is class hike
10 – Enchanted Jenni – last race was a little faster – another class riser
6 – Narbold – ITM 5/6 at the distance – could be better in 2nd up
12 – Yes I Know – another class riser – ITM 6/7 to start career – no wins on Good yet
