Perhaps the numbers trainer, Chris Waller, came up with the insight for Saturday's Caulfield Cup in which rival Peter Moody, with Lidari and Brambles, figures strongly.

"You just need to have the horse right on the day, and hope some of those internationals struggle to acclimatise because we've got the home ground advantage," Waller commented.

Already European Dandino and Japan's Bande have been scratched while Waller has four in prime order – Hawkspur, Junoob, Moriarty and Who Shot Thebarman.

"We've got to hope that others fail because we've prepared ours the best we can," he told AAP.

Moody, though, is confident Lidari and Brambles will perform on their home circuit.

"I've been dying to get Lidari into a handicap in the condition he's in at the moment," the trainer said in Winning Post.

"He was beaten a half-length by Caulfield Cup favourite Lucia Valentina in the group 1 Turnbull, in that race he had to work a lot harder from a wide barrier to find a spot and got home hard at the finish.

"There was a cigarette paper between him and Brambles when they worked together in an impressive gallop this week."

Looking for dangers, Moody mentioned Lucia Valentia, but pointed out she got a "charmed run" when beating Lidari and Brambles in the Turnbull.

Lucia Valentia, however, has group 1 acceleration which extends to 2400 metres, yet she does not have much, if anything, on the other New Zealand mare, Rising Romance.

"Poison at her current odds," Betfair's Daniel Bevan declared about Lucia Valentia because a "genuine 2400m handicap is different from her three-year-old staying form".

Bevan fancies Admire Rakti to continue his Japanese staying dominance.

Betfair was trading Lucia Valentia at $5 on Friday. while Rising Romance eased from $11.50 to $15.50, which makes her a good gamble. Both have had ideal preparations. Racing And Sports listed Waller's Hawkspur as its top-rated horse in the Caulfield Cup.

Verdict: Rising Romance 1, Lucia Valentina 2, Lidari 3, Hawkspur 4

Generalife just needs some luck in Moonga Stakes

Sydney form again promises to impact at Caulfield, the Moonga Stakes having three strong chances from the north – Manawanui, Leebaz and Generalife.

Manawanui scored first-up in the Bill Ritchie at Randwick on September 20 while Leebaz, which is resuming, but has two two out of three successes at this stage of past campaigns.

However, Generalife is well placed under Saturday's conditions, carrying 56.5 kilograms. The gelding was most unlucky in the weight-for-age group 2 level Premiere Stakes, won by Famous Seamus at Randwick on October4.

Verdict: Generalife

Lighter weight will suit Vilanova in DJs Handicap

Darren Weir with Signoff is favourite in the battle of two cities in the David Jones Handicap.

Still, Signof is coming back in distance, to 2000m, which is a query.

"Bit unlucky last week but has been at best at 2400m and longer," the TAB's Glenn Munsie opined, making him his "lay".

Signoff will meet strong opposition from those coming off Sydney form, particularly Waller's Vilanova, which has been doing well in possibly tougher company.

Vilanova was third under 58kg in the weight-for-age Craven Plate at Randwick behind Moriarty and Rising Romance on October 4 and drops to 54.5kg on Saturday.

Verdict: Vilanova (best bet)

Unpretentious looks the goods in Caulfield Sprint

Miracles Of Life, now with the Snowdens, Peter and Paul, and Big Money were scratched from Randwick engagements to take on the Caulfield Sprint.

Certainly the local Unpretentious will be hard to beat going on his last, fifth out of five, to Buffering in the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley on September 26. Unpretentious was beaten under two lengths.

Miracles Of Life and Big Money have been prepared to run boldly fresh and Thermal Current should be considered.

Thermal Current, now a four-year-old, had solid credentials last season and has subsequently been gelded, usually a plus for improvement.

Verdict: Unpretentious.

La Amistad given chance to atone

Can the Hawkes team, led by father John, revitalise La Amistad in the City Tattersall's Club Cup at Randwick?

La Amistad had promised to be a force in the spring majors but failed miserably in The Metropolitan at Randwick on October 4.

Hawkes, though, has persevered and the possibility of give in the ground could help her. The mare has produced strong figures over Saturday's course and distance, 2400 metres, in the past.

Order Of The Sun, from the Gai Waterhouse stable, led over the way over the Randwick 2000m last Saturday but rises in class, while the import Disclaimer is a strong fancy.

Verdict: La Amistad

Play The Exotics

Caulfield parlay: Race 5 – (8) Generalife, Race 6 – (4) Catkins, Race 7 – (7) Vilanova, Race 9 – (16) Rising Romance.

Caulfield quadrella: Race 7 – (7) Vilanova, (9) Signoff, Race 8 – (3) Unpretentious, (4) Miracles Of Life, (5) Big Money, Race 9 – (8) Hawkspur, (14) Lidari, (15) Lucia Valentina, (16) Rising Romance, Race 10 – (3) Anatina, (6) Sino Eagle.

Randwick quadrella: Race 5 – (9) Deep Field, Race 6 – (4) La Armistad, (8) Order Of The Sun, Race 7 – (5) Mahara, (8) All Cerise, Race 8 – (3) Avoid Lightning, (7) I've Got The Looks.

Best box trifecta: Caulfield Race 9 – (14) Lidari, (15) Lucia Valentina, (16) Rising Romance.

Best quinella: Caulfield Race 10 – (3) Anatina, (6) Sino Eagle.