(ANDREW BENSLEY is a leading commentator with Sky Racing Channel and Sky Sports Radio.)

Trainer Bevan Laming has sounded a word of warning to supporters of Ringa Ringa Rosie in the Thousand Guineas Prelude at Caulfield on Saturday.

Laming says the three-year-old is in great order but he fears that the Caulfield track can be tricky and often causes problems for horses racing there for the first time.

Ringa Ringa Rosie, though, is a very tractable horse and returned a winner in Brisbane almost three weeks ago. On Wednesday, Ringa Ringa Rosie galloped at Sandown between races and ran home the final 600-metres in 34.5 seconds.

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WITH regard to the Caulfield Guineas Prelude, trainer David Hayes will wait until race morning before committing to run either Columbus or Legalistic. Columbus failed on a rain-affected track first-up and will not run if the track was in similar condition on Saturday.

The opposite applies to Legalistic, who would relish the cut out of the Caulfield track.

Meanwhile, Hayes told me Largo Lad will be ridden cold once again in the Underwood Stakes.

Hayes is unsure whether Largo Lad will measure up to the Caulfield Cup but things certainly are positive at the moment. He's a $26 chance with TAB Fixed Odds for the Underwood.

Hayes was over the moon about the win of Multahem at Sandown on Wednesday. The son of Redoute's Choice matched the achievement of Nicconi to break 34 seconds for his final 600 on debut.

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THE Super Vobis three-year-old race on Saturday at Caulfield will be the platform for couple of very well bred horses to strut their stuff. Instead of tackling the Guineas Prelude, trainer Tony Vasil believes the 1700 metre race will serve Altius better heading towards the Victoria Derby.

Altius is out of the champion broodmare Circles of Gold but Echoes of Heaven has a distaff side of similar quality. The Mick Price-trained horse is out of another champion broodmare, Shantha's Choice. Price said the horse will be a definite Derby contender and will appreciate the 1700-metres on Saturday.

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NOW to Rosehill and I can't wait to see how Brisbane visitor Captain Sonador runs in the Shannon Stakes. I became a bit of fan in the autumn and a fortnight ago he returned a strong winner in Brisbane.

Trainer Roger Milne arrived in Sydney on Tuesday and reports Captain Sonador has tightened up nicely since his first up win. Stathi Katsidis may be enraptured with Shoot Out but he also is keen to stick with Captain Sonador.

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THE Kiwis also have a strong equine influence at Rosehill on Saturday. Murray and Bjorn Baker were rapt with the win of Lion Tamer considering he went against the pattern of the day to get up on the inside to win.

Murray Baker told me Lion Tamer is a stayer in the making and will appreciate any increase in distance.

Because Hugh Bowman heading to Caulfield to ride $6.50 TAB Fixed Odds second favourite Metal Bender in the Underwood, Glyn Schofield takes over the plum Gloaming Stakes ride.

Fellow New Zealander, Roger James saddles up Firebolt in the Shannon. Firebolt showed plenty of potential at the Brisbane winter carnival and James says the horse has galloped well during the past fortnight.

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And finally, I can't wait for Tuesday morning when I will speak with Mel Schumacher on Sky Sports Radio at 9.30am. He may have been sometimes controversial but his record as a jockey was outstanding. Hope you will tune in.