The wind played a few tricks in the first half of the programme but there were plenty of good performances to follow out of Saturday's Caulfield meeting.
BOOKER
Booker had only two starts last time in but stamped herself as a horse to follow in the spring but her after her first-up effort, she might be better than we thought. She just didn't quite break quickly enough to get cover early in the McNeil Stakes, which left her facing the breeze three-wide down the side of the track to the home turn. Booker sprinted well to hit the front but the smart colt Merchant Navy just got the better of her late. Trainers Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra have a million options with Booker in the spring and she has started her part of the bargain with a solid first-up run.
Career record 3:1-2-0.
Race to look for – Three-year-old fillies' races up to 1400m.
MURAAHIB
He also comes out of the McNeil Stakes and was unlucky not to have threatened the first two runners after not getting enough room for a significant portion of the straight. Stewards noted Muraahib was "held up for clear running from the 300m until the 100m" before jockey Blake Shinn was able to get him out into clear running form where the son of Reset was able to run on well late. Muraahib won his first two starts in the summer and wasn't disgraced in both the Blue Diamond Stakes and when placed in Sydney in March. He has obviously developed in his time off and can continue to progress in the coming weeks.
Career record (6:2-0-2).
Race to look for – Three-year-old race over 1400m or further.
HARLEM
This import has plenty of ability but is yet to find a suitable race in Australia. However, he looks like a win isn't too far away judging by his first-up effort at Caulfield. He got back in a slowly-run race but stretched out well in the straight to get within two lengths of his in-form stablemate Hell Or Highwater. Harlem firmed from $13 to $9.50 on Saturday so the market thinks he has prepped up well. I'm forgetting his two Sydney runs because the preparation looked rushed but the Lindsay Park operation has had more time to work out this bloke and he'll only improve from here.
Career record (12:2-1-2).
Race to look for – Races over 2000m-plus.
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