Caulfield hosts a strong midweek card, headlined by the Group 3 Coongy Cup (2000m).

The track is likely to be pretty firm (Good 4, potentially to a Good 3) and the rail will be out 12m.

Race-by-race preview, tips and best bets for the eight-race card below.

R1 – BM84 Handicap (2400m)

Almairac (9) is worth an each-way play here coming off a forgive run in this grade last start. He settled in a different postcode from the outside alley and was just never a factor in a race dominated by Gilded Water. He gets Craig Williams here from a better gate and the distance rise looks suitable fourth-up.

Kings Valley (1) comes out of the same race as the top tip and maps for an economical run from barrier two. The rise to 2400m for the first time is a query, especially with 59kg on his back. He’s very consistent though.

Federer (6) bounced back to winning form last start after a frustrating run of outs. This is harder but Ben Allen clearly has a great connection with the horse (4:3-0-0).

Golden Century (2) has won his last two start in dominant fashion. He faces a significant class rise here but he’s drawn well for Lane and is improving with each start.

VERDICT: Almairac (9) each-way. BEST VALUE

R2 – BM70 Handicap (1600m)

Centu Cavaddi (3) was excellent at Sandown Hillside last start behind Navy Pilot who was then competitive in the G1 Caulfield Guineas. This track with the rail out 12m is perhaps not the ideal scenario for him but he gives the impression that he’ll relish 1600m third-up.

Regal Award (3) has the ability but still does a lot wrong. He was very erratic for a 3kg claimer last start but Neindorf jumps on here and might have a bit more success in getting the Stokes gelding to relax.

Obvious (7) won impressively last start and will have no issues with the rise to the mile.

It was a narrow margin but there was plenty to like about Mahers Landing’s (4) maiden win last start. He came from 10th at the 400m and the first two home put nearly 3L on 3rd.

VERDICT: Wish it was at Flemington but Centu Cavaddi (3) is still the horse to beat here.

R3 – BM70 Handicap (1440m) 

I’d be tipping Thebelmontgangster in this but he’ll need a miracle to gain a start.

WEDNESDAY UPDATE: ‘The Gangster’ has managed to muscle his way into the field and goes on top on the strength of his impressive first-up victory in Australia.

Dabernig could have put a claimer on Shadhavar (5) but he’s obviously happy for the mare to carry 62kg with Williams in the saddle. She was a strong winner here last start and she maps to get every possible chance from barrier three in what should be a strongly-run affair.

Yes Lulu (9) did more than enough first-up down the straight. She’s had two previous second-up runs for a win and a 3rd in Listed grade.

Surfin’ Bird (12) has won 3 from 4 but she’ll need to really ping out from barrier 13 given there is decent early speed drawn closer to the inside rail.

She’s Pretty Rich (8) is racing consistently but it’s hard to see her turning the tables on Shadhavar from their last-start clash here. She’s one for exotics though.

VERDICT: Thebelmontgangster (16) for the win. Quinella 16 with 5 and 9.

R4 – Debutant Stakes (1000m)

Field of debutants and all of them have shown at least something at the trials/jumpouts. The late money will be telling but they don’t trial much better than Zoustar filly Rachini (8) did at Flemington earlier this month. She’s a big powerful type and has drawn to race in the first four if she steps cleanly from barrier two.

Tornado Valley (4) has jumped out well but hasn’t been brilliant out of the gates, which could be problematic after coming up with the inside marble.

VERDICT: Rachini (8) on top but these juvenile races are always tricky.

R5 – BM78 Handicap (1100m)

Just Like Gaby (14) resumed with a stylish win at Sandown Hillside over 1000m. She ran decent time and the runner-up Actuality has since come out and won impressively. Third in that race, Don’t Russia, has also won since – albeit in moderate company.

Grand Larceny (5) was left for dead by Beast Mode at The Valley last start. He settled midfield from barrier one and basically stayed there in a race of little change. His second-up record is excellent (4:2-1-0) and Shinn sticks.

Rich Fortune (2) comes out of the same race as Grand Larceny and her effort was similar, just holding her position in a race completely dominated by the leader. She’d jumped out well prior to that and will be fitter second-up off a whopping 545-day spell.

Sweethearted (11) resumes. She was well-held in all three runs last campaign but cost herself with a slow start at Bendigo. Barrier 14 means she’s likely to settle a long way back, which is an obvious concern over 1100m.

VERDICT: Just Like Gaby (14) can win again.

R6 – BM78 Handicap (2000m)

Zambardo (7) is a promising stayer who has more upside than his rivals. He looked the winner a long way from home at Sandown Hillside last start and put his rivals away with ease, finishing 4L clear of the third-placegetter. The rise to 2000m won’t hold any fears for the Price and Kent-trained gelding.

Prince Eric (5) is a pretty one-paced operator who could benefit from a jockey change, especially when that jockey is Blake Shinn. One of his signature early moves could really suit this imported galloper who has just been holding his position behind the pacesetters in recent runs.

Makdane (3) is an ultra-consistent galloper who will race in the first few from barrier three. He’d probably like a bit more give in the ground though.

Autumn Slide (10) comes out of the same race as Makdane. She was just fair on that occasion but was impressive winning over the same route prior.

VERDICT: Like Zambardo (7) here. BEST BET

R7 – Group 3 Coongy Cup (2000m)

Unlike most of these, Statuario (7) has a bit of tactical speed and can put himself in the race early from the wide gate. Both of his runs back from a spell have been solid and there is certainly no Half Yours in this field.

Sydney visitor Quietness (11) ran a cracker first-up over 1600m and is better suited over this trip. The concern is where she ends up in the run from barrier 12, especially given there doesn’t appear to be great speed in this race.

Wootton Verni (10) has been building steadily and the Globe form certainly reads well enough for this. Lane replaces Childs and he’s drawn favourably.

She’s A Hustler (17) is the horse to beat if we somehow get four scratchings, but that seems extremely unlikely based on the weather forecast.

VERDICT: Statuario (7) for the win.

R8 – BM84 Handicap (1440m) 

Former SA-trained galloper Sabaj (14) comes here with an impressive record, having finished top-two in all seven of his career starts to date. He finished 2nd to Reserve Bank in his most recent outing, with that horse then winning the G1 Goodwood at his next start – defeating a handy one called Giga Kick. That’s a solid form reference for a BM84.

Ndola (3) went to Adelaide last start and won narrowly but well. He’s placed in both of his previous second-up outings.

Sunshineinmypocket (5) has the ability to be winning a race like this but barrier one is far from ideal for a horse who keeps stepping slowly. There is every chance he ends up buried back on the fence, needing a stack of luck.

The enigmatic Scheelite (4) has claims on his best form but he generally needs the run first-up.

VERDICT: Ndola (3) goes on top following the scratching of Sabaj.