All Ages Stakes betting guide with form and free tips, April 15
THE Sydney autumn carnival continues this week at Randwick which features the Group 1 All Aged Stakes and the Group 1 Champagne Stakes.
Both races have attracted only small fields, but there are still quality thoroughbreds engaged which includes Le Romain, English and Sires’ Produce winner Invader.
There are nine races on the premier card at Randwick this Saturday and punters at Ladbrokes.com.au can get enhanced odds for both the All Aged Stakes and the Champagne Stakes.
The day kicks off with the Highway Handicap at 12.05pm where a handy field of provincial runners take to the track.
Race 1 – Highway Handicap (1200m)
Mercurial Lad scored an impressive victory last start after running wide in the straight. That cost it a couple of lengths and it still won easily. It has since trialled and run well, so after back-to-back wins it should feature prominently here.
Stablemate Always Flushed is coming off a last start win and it gets in with a good weight. The Joseph/Jones-trained mare scored a narrow win at Sapphire Coast and with the 2kg claim from James Innes Jnr, it will carry only 51kg.
Attainment scored a two-length win at Goulburn last start and having Brenton Avdulla in the saddle is a bonus. The five-year-old doesn’t have a great winning record, but it runs best at this distance and it can handle all track conditions.
Race 1 tip: Mercurial Lad to win ($4.60) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 2 – IGA Liquor Handicap (1200m)
Just A Blur is a long shot chance at $35, but it’s not without a chance. The Joseph/Jones-trained sprinter will be ridden more quietly this time around and it wasn’t far behind Happy Clapper two starts back. Its form doesn’t read well, but the $35 could be worth a stab.
Cannyescent returns from Victoria with two wins under its belt this campaign and it should strip fitter for this. The Lindsay Park-trained gelding is a past winner on this track and despite rising in class and weight, the addition of Hugh Bowman in the saddle will help its chances. Looms as a winning threat with a drag into the race from barrier 11.
Nudierudie resumes here after showing good ability last preparation. The Hawkes-trained mare won at Canterbury when fresh up and it subsequently ran two placings at Rosehill before running fourth last start. It drops nicely in weight to 56.5kg and punters are supporting it at $4.80.
Race 2 tip: Cannyescent to win ($4.60) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 3 – Mostyn Copper Group Frank Packer Plate (2000m)
Former New Zealand runner Mongolian Wolf was purchased by Australian Bloodstock and will now race for Darren Weir. The three-year-old finished third behind Gingernuts in the Avondale Guineas before suffering a tough run in the Derby. It looks much better suited to this distance and the Kiwi runners have cleaned up these races throughout the carnival.
The last start win of Acatour should be respected. The Snowden-trained colt turned its form around with a stellar 3.5-length win and although the opposition was only fair, its confidence levels should be sky high. It goes well on this track and it’s not surprising to see punters back it into $2.50.
Veladero improved when finished third last time out and it will get every chance from the inside draw. The Waller-trained three-year-old has form on all racing surfaces and the rise up in distance to 2000m could be its calling this time in. Chance at each way odds of $7.50.
Race 3 tip: Mongolian Wolf to win ($3.50) at Bet365.com
Race 4 – Tab Hall Mark Stakes (1200m)
Redzel has been on the drift throughout the betting, but it still looms as a winning hope. The Snowden-trained gelding opened at $3.50 and has drifted to $3.80 despite running second in The Galaxy behind Russian Revolution. That should be a good form guide for this and it shouldn’t be discounted.
Hellbent has been the best-backed runner of the field. The Weir-trained sprinter opened at $4.20 and has tumbled into $3.10 following a last start placing in the William Reid Stakes. It hasn’t won for awhile now which is the concern, but it’s knocking on the door.
Takedown brings plenty of professionalism to the race and it has yet to miss a placing when fresh up. The four-year-old is twice a winner on this track and it will appreciate the drying track. It last competed in the Hong Kong Sprint and that form is far superior for this class. Consider at $6.50.
Race 4 tip: Hellbent to win ($3.10) at WilliamHill.com.au
Race 5 – Sharp Japan Racing Association Plate (2000m)
New Tipperary is a six-time winner from 12 starts and it hasn’t been far off some nice types. The Joe Pride-trained gelding ran on well in the Doncaster Mile behind It’s Somewhat and its form prior included a placing in the Ajax Stakes. That form has stood up nicely and despite a poor record at this track, it looks ready to fire at odds of $4.80.
Astronomos is the current $3.60 favourite after finishing second in the Sellwood Stakes. The John Thompson-trained gelding is a course specialist having won three from four starts and the drop in weight is a big factor. It goes to 53.5kg with Craig Williams in the saddle and the inside draw won’t worry it. Consider here and it would pay to follow any market moves.
Happy Hannah has been expensive for punters, but it could be ready to strike. The Snowden-trained mare has shown plenty of ability over this distance and it was making good late ground in the Emancipation Stakes. It won’t be any easier here, but it should be considered.
Race 5 tip: New Tipperary to win ($4.80) at Bet365.com
Race 6 – Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes (1600m)
Invader is the standout runner in the field having won the Sires’ Produce Stakes last start, but the lack of betting support is a worry. The Snowden-trained two-year-old opened short at $1.70 and has drifted steadily throughout the week to $1.90. Punters backing Invader know they’re on the best horse, but just how much that last run took out of it is the big question.
Whispered Secret couldn’t have been more impressive winning last week after travelling wide throughout. The James Cummings-trained filly scored a tough win in the Fernhill Stakes and the rise up in distance was ideal. The daughter of High Chaparral is bred to enjoy these distances and staying at a nice weight will allow it to run on strongly again.
Eshtiraak has been a model of consistency this campaign, winning four of its last five starts. The Melbourne-based runner likes to set the pace and depending on how the track is playing, that could play into its favour. Look for Damien Oliver to push forward and try its luck from in front.
Race 6 tip: Whispered Secret to win ($4.80) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 7 – Schweppes All Aged Stakes (1400m)
Redkirk Warrior didn’t have much go its way in the Doncaster Mile and the drying track conditions will be a big help. The Lindsay Park-trained gelding was caught wide throughout and its win prior in the Newmarket Handicap came on a good track. We’re expecting a bounce-back effort on Saturday and it’s a value runner at $10 to win.
Le Romain is the class runner of the field and it’s also looking to bounce back after a disappointing Doncaster effort. The Kris Lees-trained gelding finished 15th after sitting near the speed throughout, but it didn’t offer much in the straight. It has four wins on this track which is ideal and it handles all track conditions so punters won’t have to worry about that. Chance at $3.80.
English will have to pass a vet check prior to the running of the All Aged, but it looks a top chance if fit. The Waterhouse/Bott-trained mare finished just behind Chautauqua in the T.J. Smith Stakes and rising in distance shouldn’t be an issue. It’s a four-time winner at Randwick and the $4 suggests there’s plenty of support for the four-year-old.
Race 7 tip: Redkirk Warrior to win ($10) at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 8 – McGrath Estate Agents J.B. Carr Stakes (1400m)
Prompt Response looks an each way chance at $6 after running second in the P.J. Bell Stakes last start. The three-year-old tried hard behind Diddums on what was an off track and there’s enough improvement in it to turn the tables. It should sit on the pace from the wide draw and kick strongly in the straight.
Diddums is paying a good price of $6.50 considering its win last start. The three-year-old is a three-time winner from seven starts and it found the lead easily last start and kicked for the win. The rise in distance is a slight worry, but it won’t have to do much work from barrier three.
Raiment is the current $4.60 favourite, but punters will be hoping it has recovered from a poor run last start. The John O’Shea-trained filly was wide throughout last start and it dropped out in the straight, but its form prior was excellent with back-to-back wins. It won’t get much easier from barrier 13 so take on trust.
Race 8 tip: Diddums to win ($6.50) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 9 – The Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy (1400m)
Fabrizio has eased from $4 to $4.20, but remains the favourite. The five-year-old gelding finished last in the Villiers Stakes last start, but it has won two from three fresh up and it has shown good form this season to date. Carrying 61kg is the worry.
Marenostro should enjoy the conditions and it wasn’t far behind them last start. The Waller-trained gelding ran third behind Spectroscope in the Doncaster Prelude and this won’t be any harder. It has won two from six starts second up and it relishes the wet conditions.
Duca Valentinois goes well fresh up and it has placed at this distance three times. The O’Shea-trained gelding doesn’t have a great winning strike rate, but it drops right down in weight to 53.5kg and having Craig Williams in the saddle helps. Each way chance.
Race 9 tip: Marenostro to win ($10) at Ladbrokes.com.au