By Mark Gatt

This Saturday at Caulfield we have some of last season’s best two year olds resuming in the Listed Vain Stakes run over 1100 metres.

Now young three year olds they include last season’s Blue Diamond Stakes winner Reaan and Maribyrnong Plate winner Exceedingly Good.

Reaan after his hard fought win in the Blue Diamond went on to Sydney for the Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes but after running a shocker in the Todman Slipper trial and then finishing last in the Slipper went straight to the spelling paddock for a well earned rest.

Trainer David Hayes has always thought the son of Hussonet out of the smart race mare Ribe would be a better three year old and he is being aimed at the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas.

Also on the Guineas trail is the Lee Freedman trained Exceedingly Good, the lightly raced colt by sire of the moment Exceed and Excel is one smart horse on his day and it would not surprise to see him win this.

Other chances in the race are the Rodney Douglas trained Nato who is said to be quite smart, and Danny O’Brien has a nice horse by the name of Viallico who might be a Derby Horse come November.



The writer consults on Melbourne Cup odds