AU - Caulfield - Race 1

Tough between the top two but TAKEN (5) gets the nod. He missed the placings for the first time in his career last start but it was in the $1 million Supernova and he was in the market there and has had a soft trial since. Up to 1 ¹/16m should suit nicely now and this is much easier while also dropping in weight. MERRIGOLD (6) is the clear danger. She stepped up to 1m for the first time last week at Flemington and relished it, putting up a career peak with a strong two-length win. Now to 1 ¹/16m but she stays down in the weights and a repeat goes close. VERDAD (3) doesn't win out of turn but was good in the Coastal Classic at Geelong last time when going down narrowly. He should be right there. MILFORD (4) was okay fresh with room to improve and gets fourth spot ahead of TARAMANSOUR (1) who is a query back in trip off his dominant Pakenham Cup win.