The first of the ‘Grand Slam’ races for the season is the Caulfield Cup (2400m) and the 2024 edition this Saturday shapes up to be an intriguing contest.

Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 Caulfield Cup.

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2024 Caulfield Cup Runner Preview:

1. Kalapour: Just a run in the Might And Power last Saturday and although gets Blinkers first time, I do think he’s going to struggle.

2. Buckaroo: He is the deserving favourite given he brings the A1 form. Bolted up in the Underwood, a race which included Might And Power winner Deny Knowledge, and ran second to Via Sistina in the Turnbull, which has been the key form race for the Caulfield Cup previously. If the 2400m is okay, he’s hard to beat.

3. Circle Of Fire: Circle Of Fire is a horse I am not sacking as a winning threat. I think he’s had two barrier trials to start the prep. Struggled on the bog in the Makybe Diva before being wide throughout in the Turnbull. Back to a handicap, up to an ideal trip, well in at the weights and he’ll be strong late. I think he’ll run a beauty.

4. Warp Speed: A potential wet track is my concern with Warp Speed but I just feel he could be an absolute jet. Japanese stayer that brings with him some elite staying from, mainly over further than this, so perhaps the first Tuesday in November may well be the target, but I think if you pen a Japanese horse when they come down under, you’ll get burnt, and we do know he’ll be very strong at the end of 2400m. He’s the each way play for me.

5. Huetor: Hit and miss this horse. Super return in the Underwood but didn’t fire a shot in the Turnbull, although did make up headway from the back. I think his absolute best can see him run top five, but things need to fall into place.

6. Warmonger: I think losing B Shinn hasn’t helped this horse. He’s gone back to pre B Shinn and pre the Queensland Derby where he gets back and runs on, but never threatens. Mick Dee knows what it takes to win the Caulfield Cup but the two runs this prep, to me, don’t scream out of a coming Caulfield Cup winner. I’m opposing him.

7. Eliyass: I am keen to risk him. Thought he had every chance on speed in the Turnbull and yes, was beaten by a couple of good horses, but he wasn’t exactly savaging the line at the end of 2000m and for mine, 2400m has to be the query. If he wins, I am losing.

8. Land Legend: He has to be respected. I think if he runs straight, he wins The Metropolitan by further. He was dominant IMO despite the narrow margin. The query here is gate one. Does he get buried back? He has Zac Purton aboard, he’ll be put to sleep…but will he get clear air?

9. Young Werther: Tried his guts out in the Turnbull but I thought he had his chance and is another in this race where I have doubts on him running 2400m. He goes through to the keeper.

10. Duke De Sessa: Led and gave a good sight in the Turnbull but just lacked the class to finish the job when fourth. Right racing style, 2400m no issue, he’ll keep chipping away…doubt he wins but a must for exotics.

11. Knight’s Choice: He’s a Sunshine Coast Cup horse. Not Caulfield Cup.

12. Muramasa: Am I missing something with him being $26? Is there a 0 missing? He has returned well, don’t get me wrong, but I think he comes through some very weak races vs what he faces here. Massive unders I feel.

13. Zardozi: Zardozi is back on track. Jury was a bit out on her after the Chelmsford and Kingston Town but she went to The Metropolitan ran out of her skin, beaten by the bob of the head via Land Legend in a great battle up the straight. Her best efforts have come when racing the Melbourne way, she’s so well in at the weights and she will love a drop of rain.

14. Coco Sun: Much better suited here vs the WFA of the Might And Power. That said, I would have liked to see her finish the race off better last Saturday and from the gate, I think she gets too far back and will have too much to do.

15. Deny Knowledge: Great ride from Zahra saw her win last Saturday in the Might And Power. 2400m no issue, she lands in front and with Froggy aboard, she’ll only run this one way, and that is truly. The last bit may test, but she’s going to give a stack of cheek.

16. Valiant King: He just hasn’t come up.

17. Positivity: Scraped in to win a very ordinary edition of the Naturalism and was okay in the Bart Cummings. She’s not good enough to trouble these.

18. Sayedaty Sadaty: Northern Hemisphere 3YO that is lightly raced usually = winning formula for the Melbourne Cup. He ran a beauty in the UK Derby behind City Of Troy before a third in the Gordon at Goodwood. Nominated for both Cups so it will be interesting to see where he goes but with Ciaron Maher, expect him to run well in whatever he contests.

19. Fancy Man (1E): Sneaky flying this horse but needs it easier.

20. Berkshire Breeze (2E): Good, handy stayer, but not up to this level.

21. Francesco Guardi (3E): Free hit IMO with this guy. Back him at $71+ and if he doesn’t get a run, money back. He’s back big time IMO. Loved his Turnbull run and I reckon is on track for the first Tuesday in November. But, if he gets a run here, that $71 will be $11.

2024 Caulfield Cup $100 Betting Strategy:

$10 Win/$40 Place on both Zardozi and Warp Speed for me.

Group l Strategy Outlay: $1400
Group l Strategy Return: $86565

2024 Caulfield Cup Speed Map

Deny Knowledge led throughout to win the Might And Power last Saturday and with the lightweight, Craig Newitt on board, I dare say she won’t go slow. Duke De Sessa will settle handy. Valiant King should glide across, as should Eliyass, who has drawn sticky on paper but should get the drag over.

2024 Caulfield Cup Odds:

1. Kalapour (4)

J: Ben Melham

T: Kris Lees

2. Buckaroo (8)

J: Joao Moreira

T: Chris Waller

3. Circle Of Fire (12)

J: John Allen

T: Ciaron Maher

4. Warp Speed (18)

J: Akira Sugawara

T: N Takagi

5. Huetor (7)

J: Luke Currie

T: Peter Snowden

6. Warmonger (15)

J: Michael Dee

T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr

7. Eliyass (20)

J: Tim Clark

T: G Waterhouse & A Bott

8. Land Legend (1)

J: Zac Purton

T: Chris Waller

9. Young Werther (9)

J: Jye McNeil

T: Danny O’Brien

10. Duke De Sessa (6)

J: Harry Coffey

T: Ciaron Maher

11. Knight’s Choice (13)

J: Robbie Dolan

T: J G Symons & S Laxon

12. Muramasa (5)

J: Daniel Moor

T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young

13. Zardozi (11)

J: Andrea Atzeni

T: James Cummings

14. Coco Sun (19)

J: Karis Teetan

T: T & C McEvoy

15. Deny Knowledge (16)

J: Craig Newitt

T: A & S Freedman

16. Valiant King (17)

J: Teodore Nugent

T: Chris Waller

17. Positivity (9)

J: Winona Costin

T: Andrew Forsman

18. Sayedaty Sadaty (2)

J: Ben Thompson

T: Ciaron Maher

19. Fancy Man (3)

J: Ron Stewart

T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald

20. Berkshire Breeze (14)

J: Unknown

T: Ciaron Maher

21. Francesco Guardi (10)

J: Unknown

T: Chris Waller