(Rod Gallegos can be heard on Sky Sports Radio)

Caulfield hosts the feature meeting this weekend with the running of the Futurity Stakes and the $1-million Blue Diamond Stakes.

In the absence of Black Caviar, I have to stick with one of my favourites, King Mufhasa, a Kiwi that rarely runs a bad race. As for the Blue Diamond, the Mick Price-trained Samaready is the firm favourite in the light of her two career starts for two wins. However, there may be value in backing the one start for one win filly, Mama's Choice, from the David Hayes stable.

Hayes has won the Blue Diamond five times and his jockey Dwayne Dunn is a four-time winner of the race - four in succession between 2005 and 2008.

There was a lot to like about the way Mama's Choice stormed home from last on the turn to win the Chairman's Stakes (1100-metres) at Caulfield three weeks ago. Her pattern of racing would suggest that the wide barrier won't be a serious impediment to her chances.

The Apollo Stakes is the Rosehill feature and Rain Affair understandably is the hot favourite. And with his record, especially his distinct liking for rain affected tracks, it justifies his cramped odds.

Once again my liking for good odds and a bit of belligerence for sticking with certain pet horses compels me to tip and back Centennial Park. He ran a respectable race when second to Rain Affair at Warwick Farm and I hope he has benefited from the run.

"Greater love hath no man..."

Pardon what may be interpreted as sacrilegious tampering with a biblical quotation. However, I think it is a fitting accolade for trainer Peter Moody because his decision to spell Black Caviar underlines the man's love for his horse.

No doubt he could have taken a mercenary tack and saddled her up in the Futurity which she no doubt would have won with ease. Instead, though, Moody elected to turn his back on the winning percentage and think of the future.

The only unanswered question now is where will be run before embarking on the Royal Ascot campaign? Will it be Adelaide or Brisbane?

My money is on the BTC Cup in Brisbane. But then, maybe, I am being parochial and hoping Pete is the same.

Warwick Farm's inability to attract only a moderate crowd despite a strong racecard last Saturday only underlines the urgency of the multi-million dollar facelift for Randwick's facilities.

Quite clearly, the modern-day racegoer is sophisticated and a far cry from the good old days when punters flocked to the track in rain, hail or shine. They were happy to cop a beer and pies while standing in the sun, but these days there is a need for the more advanced a la carte catering and air-conditioned comfort in the plush grandstands.

With regard to free-entry days at the races I am not sure. In my opinion people don't tend to fully appreciate anything that they get for nothing, but plenty may disagree.

Getting bigger crowds back to the track, however, is the aspiration of all racing administrators.

Despite some doomsayers decrying the Australian Turf Club for the expensive revitalisation of Royal Randwick it clearly is the way to go. Admittedly it is ambitious and the cost totals a staggering $150-million.

However, if it regenerates Randwick to a position of being even better than its glory days, then it will be money well spent.

There are abundant temptations to keep racegoers away from the track, but the outlines of the new-look Randwick are luxurious and its geographical position in Sydney is ideal to attract a wide spectrum of the social sets.