Racing: Dal Cielo out to topple the hot favourite

Dal Cielo is a fine each-way proposition in the A$1 million Caulfield Guineas today. Photo / Trish Dunell

The New Zealand brigade is about to make a serious press statement at the Melbourne Spring carnival.

And what better way than for Dal Cielo to topple the hot favourite Press Statement in the A$1 million Caulfield Guineas late today.

That won't be easy, but don't underrate the chances of Dal Cielo. When Press Statement's rider Hugh Bowman was yesterday asked what was his main worry about his $2.25 favourite he said: "The fact the race is a graveyard for favourites." Dal Cielo at No 8 is better placed than Press Statement out at No 14 on a track that is unforgiving on horses getting bad runs. The Cambridge colt overraced in blinkers last start and did extremely well to be only a neck from the winner in third place after being run down late.

At $9 he is a fine each-way proposition.

Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman should also enjoy good luck with Mongolian Khan in the A$400,000 Caulfield Stakes, even though next week's Caulfield Cup is his main immediate target.

"He's still coming up, but I'm delighted with him," said Baker yesterday. At $9 out to $11 he is also each-way value.

The bet of the day looks to be Amralah in Race 5 at Caulfield, the A$400,000 Herbert Power Handicap. He was caught in an awkward home-straight spot in a stronger Turnbull Stakes last week and was less than two lengths from the winner. Hugh Bowman replaces Damien Oliver.

Wellington businessman and racehorse owner Lib Petagna is getting value for money.

Petagna will have his third Group 1 runner in Australia within eight days when Dal Cielo tackles the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) today.

The Per Incanto colt follows Lucia Valentina and Sofia Rosa, who both ran in Group 1 company in Sydney last weekend, with all three horses costing under $100,000 as yearlings.

Savabeel mare Lucia Valentina, who has earned more than A$1.2 million in stakes, cost $60,000 as a yearling, Makfi filly Sofia Rosa was a $65,000 buy and Dal Cielo was a $95,000 yearling.

Petagna and his advisers have shown that it is possible to build an impressive thoroughbred portfolio without operating at the top end of the yearling market.

Matamata trainer Peter McKay is banking on a change of tactics and a change of gear to spark dual Group 1 winner Puccini back into form in today's Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield.

McKay, who trains the Encosta de Lago 4-year-old stallion in partnership with his son Jacob, has resigned a last-start failure at Caulfield to experience and is hoping a couple of points he has taken from that run can help bring about a much-improved run this weekend.

Puccini carried 61.5kg in that 1700m handicap and drops to 55.5kg in the Toorak, though McKay isn't underestimating the task ahead of the Paul and Cushla Smithies-bred-and-raced entire.

Sampson is close to the mark fitness-wise for his return to racing at Hawera today following a lengthy break.

The Kaponga Hotel Egmont Cup will mark his first appearance since he suffered a heart fibrillation when unplaced at Trentham in January.

"He's had all the checks and a cardiograph done and he's come through with flying colours," trainer Howie Mathews said. "But the weights have been bumped up and we've gone from 55 to 56.5kg."

The winner of five of his 20 starts, Sampson will be ridden by Lisa Allpress who was aboard the gelding in his latest trial when they finished third at Otaki. "I'm happy and then second-up he'll be a nice chance again in the Feilding Cup," Mathews said.

- Additional reporting NZ Racing Desk