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

Over the next month, Australia's best horses will hit the tracks in Melbourne chasing the rich spoils of racing and Caulfield is expected to supply some of the spring carnival highlights. 

This year is the fifth on the current racing surface and, while the first couple of years normally are the best, Caulfield track manager, Jason Kerr, is highly optimistic about the week of racing that is ahead. 

Kerr rates the Caulfield track very similar to last year and only suffering minimal damage on Underwood Stakes day. 

Kerr says pace in the race or lack of it will determine many results. 

For example, last year's Caulfield Guineas was won by Starspangledbanner because Dan Nikolic was able to dictate in front until he accelerated at the 200 metre mark. 

Everything points to So You Think being able to do something similar in the Yalumba Stakes this Saturday.

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MORE JOYOUS is dominating all discussions on the Group One Toorak Handicap but don't rule out the possibility that another mare may cause an upset. 

Response has thrived since her latest start win at Caulfield in the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke. Co-trainer, Simon Zahra, says the three-week break between races is ideal for a mare like Response and she should get a run into the race from a wide barrier if she follows More Joyous across early in the 1600-metre race. 

Zahra believes Response is going to the races on Saturday looking in the very best condition. She is $9.50 with TAB Fixed Odds. 

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SO YOU THINK and Whobegotyou seemingly control the Yalumba Stakes but, from a Cup point of view, the run of Alcopop will be particularly interesting. 

Alcopop's chances in the Spring received a boost in the JRA Cup when the horse fought on so well. 

Trainer Jake Stephens believes Alcopop ($18 with TAB Fixed Odds) has improved considerably since and his work on Tuesday was very strong.  

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I WAS at Caulfield on Tuesday morning for track work and couldn't get over the appearance of Guineas fancy, Ilovethiscity. Just into his early days as a three year old, the horse is a good size and, according to trainer Grahame Begg, copes with everything. 

Ilovethiscity started his gallop at Caulfield with smart sprinter All Silent but clearly the three-year-old enjoys his work more. 

For those that may have seen Ilovethiscity spank All Silent in the gallop, All Silent didn't have his blinkers on and he is a lazy track worker. Saying that, Begg and jockey Glen Boss are full of confidence.

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LOOKING ahead to Saturday week and the BMW Caulfield Cup, the field will be released on Tuesday. Just how many international horses line up hangs in the balance. 

The Japan runner, Tokai Trick, may be a nine-year-old but his work at Werribee this week has been outstanding. 

For the first time, Hong Kong will have a Cup runner with Mr Medici lining up. And Gerald Mosse flies in next week to ride Mr Medici. 

The highest rated international in markets for the Caulfield Cup is Manighar but he only has done steady cantering since arriving. 

The Luca Cumani stable is keen to give Damien Oliver a feel of the horse before the Cup. 

The Cumani-trained Drunken Sailor will need results to fall his way this weekend to make the field. At the moment he's No.24 in the order of entry for the final field of 18 which is the maximum number of runners.