3 minute read

Melbourne racing heads to Caulfield for PB Lawrence Stakes Day and it looks a big positive for the Darren Weir-trained Voodoo Lad.

[v]Voodoo Lad has been turned over as favourite in his latest couple and has probably tested the patience of punters with those two defeats.

There might be a genuine excuse for Voodoo Lad, however, and a look back at his win three starts ago can shed some light on that.

That win came at Moonee Valley and it came with Voodoo Lad pressing the speed and powering away from a good form reference in Duke Of Brunswick, running his first 600m faster than his second 600m.

That's often the case at the Valley where the damage is regularly done in the first half and the second half is about sustaining that run to the line. At Flemington, however, things change.

Par for the Flemington 1200m is around 103%. Races tend to be run at a building tempo early and late speed is the key asset tested.

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Under that race shape Voodoo Lad has overraced at his latest couple and been unable to match the close of winners Ruetigger and Mighty Like. Adding to the excuse in his latest was that he was running into a headwind, something that only exacerbated his downfall.

At Caulfield par for the 1200m course is around 101%, the emphasis clicks back towards early speed. The race should be run at a stronger tempo and that can suit Voodoo Lad.

It could pay to be forgiving of his latest and get on board now - prices around $4.20 mark are sufficiently generous.

For an each way play we are looking to a very competitive running of the Quezette Stakes.

There are plenty of fillies engaged with good upside - the race is sure to be a 'go wide' leg in the quaddie - but we are happy to back Merriest each way on the strength of her course and distance debut where she ran very slick figures.

That performance was as good as anything on offer here and prices around the $10.00 mark will look very generous if she is able to replicate that off a spell.

THE MELBOURNE MAIL

Bet Of The Day: Race 8 #5 Voodoo Lad @ $4.20

Each Way Play: Race 6 #11 Merriest @ $10.00