Hoping for a Platinum race day...

A busy day at Caulfield kicks us for us in race three, the unbeaten mare Platinum Passion (pictured) taking her place in the New Litho Handicap over 1400m.

And there is confidence about her.

“We are very happy with her,” said Michael Moroney, adding that his only concern is that the lightly raced four-year-old is having her first run at Caulfield.

“Caulfield can trip up the odd one having their first start there,” he noted – “but if she does everything right she will be hard to beat. She has been impressive up to date.”

Successful at her first two starts in May and June, the well related Redoute’s Choice grey – a granddaughter of the mighty mare Horlicks – looked particularly good winning her second start at Flemington, coming from well back before racing away.

Also lightly raced and promising is Comanche Kid, a recent smart Geelong debut winner who lines up in the Gr.3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude.

Rising quickly in class, the son of Danehill Dancer did a bit wrong at his first start but he was still able to show an excellent turn of foot.

“We will have to back from his gate (9),” Moroney explained, “but hopefully it will be a truly run race and if it is he should finish off well. It would not surprise us to see him in amongst them and it will give us a good guide as to where he is at against some of the better three-year-olds.”

Also being tested by a step up in grade is the classy staying mare Fairfield Flame who is shooting for a Caulfield Cup start by contesting the ballot free race, the Gr.3 Naturalism Stakes.

An easy last start mid-week winner at Sandown over a mile, the well travelled import will be all the more suited at the 2000m.

Racing in the final event, the Sportingbet Sprint, Queensland Oaks runner up Marheta kicks off her spring campaign.

Whilst she is best known for her good form over longer trips, the Al Maher mare should, says Moroney, gain a good position from barrier five.

“She is aided by that lovely draw,” he said, “and she has got decent first up form albeit in easier grade. But she never runs a bad race and she could provide a bit of an upset.”

We also take a nice horse to Echuca on Saturday, the Don Eduardo three-year-old Muirfield having his second start in the 1400m Maiden Plate.

Catching the eye with a strong late finish over 1200m at debut, he will be suited by the rise in distance and he looks a top chance to break his duck.

“He is one of our more promising horses,” Moroney noted, adding that the bay is being aimed at the VRC Derby (a race the stable won last year with Monaco Consul).

“His first run was very good and it will take a smart one to beat him.”