The Group 1 Sportsbet Caulfield Guineas, run over 1600m at Caulfield, is the most important Classic for three-year-olds in the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
Traditionally, if the winner of the Caulfield Guineas is a colt, the stud value of the horse skyrockets.
Last year’s Caulfield Guineas was won by Private Life, trained by Chris Waller and ridden by Damian Lane. The colt has begun covering his first book of broodmares at the famed Coolmore Stud in the Hunter Valley, NSW. Some of the famous colts who went on to have stellar stud careers after winning the Caulfield Guineas include Vain, Lonhro, Redoute’s Choice, Grosvenor, and Heroic.
The most important lead-up race to this year’s Caulfield Guineas is the Golden Rose (1400m), run at Rosehill two weeks ago, although the winner, Beiwacht, is not starting in the Caulfield Guineas.
Caulfield Guineas 2025 Preview and Details
Track: Caulfield.
Distance/type: 1600m. 3YOs. Set Weights..
Date: Saturday, 11 October.
Total prizemoney: $3,000,000
First prize: $1,800,000
Sportsbet Caulfield Guineas – Race and Time: Race 8 (4.30 pm)
Weather and Track
The Caulfield track was rated a Good 4 on Wednesday. The BOM is predicting only occasional showers for the rest of the week. Bet on a Good surface.
The rail is true. With the prospect of a firm track, expect the bias towards fast horses on the inside to have an advantage. Monitor the racing patterns earlier in the day.
The Trainers
Leading trainer Chris Waller has three Caulfield Guineas to his name. His most important win was in 2018 with the brilliant The Autumn Sun, who is the sire of one of Waller’s key runners this year, Autumn Boy. The champion trainer also will be represented by the strongly fancied Wodeton.
Waller’s main rival Ciaron Maher caused a surprise in 2023 when his outsider Griff won. This year Maher will saddle West Of Swindon, Navy Pilot and Observer.
The current trainers with the most Caulfield Guineas winners are the Hawkes family (father John and sons, Michael and Wayne) who boast four Caulfield Guineas between them. John won with Lonhro (2001), when on his own, and with All Too Hard (2012) Divine Prophet (2016) and Ole Kirk (2020) with his sons. The Hawkes will saddle Nepotism.
Mick Price is the only other trainer with a Caulfield Guineas win to his name. He won with Mighty Boss in 2017. Now in partnership with Michael Kent Jnr, he is represented by Space Rider and Planet Red.
Rising young trainer Matt Laurie will have three starters as he attempts his first win in the Classic – Vinrock, Vega For Luck and Prestige Ole.
Kris Lees (Rivellino) is attempting to emulate his late father, Max, who won the 1977 Caulfield Guineas with the champion Luskin Star.
The Jockeys
Leading jockey James McDonald has elected to ride Wodeton for Chris Waller. McDonald has won three Caulfield Guineas, including The Autumn Sun for Waller in 2018. That leaves last year’s winner rider, Damian Lane, to ride Autumn Boy for Waller.
Ben Melham won on Griff in 2023. He will ride West On Swindon for Ciaron Maher. He rode the colt to an all-the-way win in the G1 Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley. Melham’s wife, Jamie Melham, will be chasing her first Caulfield Guineas on the Maher-trained Navy Pilot.
Mark Zahra won the 2019 Caulfield Guineas on Super Seth. He has the ride on the smart Vinrock. No other jockey riding in this year’s Guineas has won it in the past, although Jordan Childs (Planet Red) is attempting to do something his famous jockey father, Greg, couldn’t do by winning a Caulfield Guineas.
The Speed Map
Tempo prediction: good
Noted front-runner Vinrock blew the start in the G2 Stutt Stakes at the Valley and lost all chance. He’s a free-running colt and jockey Mark Zahra, who rode him when he led to win the VRC Sires’ Produce and the ATC Sires’ Produce in March-April, will be aiming to bounce him out of gate 14 and cross to the rail. A colt that will be out to stop Vinrock from leading will be West Of Swindon (16), who led and won the Stutt, but he is drawn outside of Vinrock.
Look for positive rides on Autumn Boy (barrier 1) and Navy Pilot (2) and Space Rider (11). Romantic Warrior (13), Observer (9) and Hillier (17) also might roll forward.
Wodeton (10), Rivellino (3) and Nepotism (12) will be looking for cover off the speed.
Point of Interest
Significant gear changes: Rivellino, who has been racing in blinkers, has had them removed by trainer Kris Lees. Nepotism raced in winkers in the Golden Rose. They have been removed. Vinrock will wear winkers again. Also with “blinkers first time” are Vega For Luck and Stay Cosmic.
Caulfield Guineas 2025 Racing Tips
Caulfield Guineas Top Tip
Wodeton
James McDonald has stuck with Wodeton, who he rode when the colt was second in the Golden Slipper (in April) and the Golden Rose at his most recent start. That Golden Rose form looks stronger than the local three-year-olds. He should get a nice run with cover.
Caulfield Guineas Dangers
Autumn Boy
Not as sharp as his father, The Autumn Sun, who won the 2018 Caulfield Guineas, but he’s a highly talented colt who was suited racing back and wide in the Golden Rose. He worked stylishly at Caulfield on Tuesday morning with stablemate Wodeton, and he has drawn the rails to guide him.
Vinrock
When Vinrock leads, he usually wins. He won the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce and the G1 ATC Sires’ Produce with dominant front-running performances. Ignore his Stutt Stakes flop when he missed the start. He looks the leader and, obviously, will take running down.
West Of Swindon
Broke through for an overdue win when he led throughout in the G2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley. Drawn wide, but he’s got the talent to be in the finish whether he rolls forward or tries for cover.
Caulfield Guineas Roughies
Rivellino
One of the top colts last season, but he’s struggling to find that form. Notoriously slow out of the gates, which is a worry. Blinkers come off. If he can settle closer, he has the ability to cause an upset
Planet Red
No luck at Caulfield in the Guineas Prelude (1400m). Promising and in good hands. Won’t be far away from a good draw.
Nepotism
Two runs from a spell have been disappointing. He won the G1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick in April, and if he can find that form, he’s good enough to win. The Hawkes stable has a great record in this race.
Caulfield Guineas Same Race Multi (pick a combination)
Wodeton – top two
Autumn Boy – top three
Vinrock – top four
West Of Swindon, Rivellino – top five
Nepotism & Planet Red – top seven