By Patrick Bartley
It seems nothing's changed at the top end of racing at Caulfield on Saturday with Darren Weir looking likely to take honours in the group 1 C F Orr Stakes.
However, picking which of his three – Black Heart Bart, Lucky Hussler or Palentino – will be the difficult part.
Triple threat: Lucky Hussler is one of three Darren Weir contenders in the C F Orr Stakes.Credit: Getty Images
The weight of money for Lucky Hussler (Race 7 No.3) may be the way to go, with the seven-year-old firming from $8 into $6.50.
The high-class sprinter, who has had four starts over this track and distance for a win and two seconds, is amply qualified to take the prize
The Orr Stakes is a race of considerable depth and the two Sydney visitors, Arod and Ecuador, should be very much kept in your multiples on Saturday.
Arod is a group 1 winner in England and Ecuador, who has an amazing strike-rate, is yet to be beaten this preparation, and comes to Melbourne with the Waterhouse polish.
Family business
While Chautauqua will be on trial for lofty English assignments later in the year in the Rubiton Stakes, the race could, however, be the first leg of a double for one of Australia's most revered families.
Chautauqua is rightfully the $2.40 favourite for the group 2 sprint, but the little half-brother of Winx in the same race will again be closely monitored.
When El Divino made his Melbourne debut, the three-year-old was narrowly touched off in the closing stages but turned in an outstanding debut to be runner-up.
Could it be a little history in the making if the offspring of Vegas Showgirl can produce two group winners in different states on the one day?
Judging by El Divino's (Race 6 No.7) gritty effort at Flemington he could well hold up his end of the bargain with his older sister already having a mortgage on the Apollo Stakes in Sydney.
Each-way chance
Those keen on value at Caulfield on Saturday may want to look outside of the logical two-year-olds in the Blue Diamond preludes for colts and have something each way on Cao Cao (Race 4 No.5) from the Mick Price yard.
The comeback
And one of the most interesting runners on the huge card at Caulfield will be the return of quality mare Abbey Marie.
She has not been seen since last May when she put in an extraordinary performance to win the group 1 South Australian Oaks in devastating fashion.
Wins before that at Sandown and Caulfield had already identified her as one of the class fillies of Australia.
Nearly a year on, Abbey Marie (Race 9 No.2), has emerged for her comeback start after being sidelined due to some training setbacks.
Don't underestimate the fact that she hasn't been to the races for a while, but Abbey Marie is a high-class mare who is well placed to win this easily if on her game.