Best each way bets for Apollo Stakes Day at Randwick
ON a day where the star attraction is paying only $1.15, punters might think there’s no value on the punt, but Randwick hosts nine other races which are wide open betting fields.
The shortest-priced favourite apart from Winx in the Apollo Stakes is Impending at $2.10, but we think there’s a great each way bet in the Southern Cross Stakes to upset Impending and there’s many more over the course of the day on Monday.
Placing each way bets provides punters with insurance if their selection doesn’t win. It can also secure a big payday for the punters who dare to take on the big odds.
Our best each way bets starts with Race 3 where a recent midweek winner could make it back-to-back wins within a week.
Race 3 – Plymouth Road
Plymouth Road was a winner last Wednesday on a heavy track at Warwick Farm, and although that’s not the ideal preparation for a Saturday-graded race, it will be the fit runner of the field.
The James Cummings-trained gelding relished the conditions last start and it has won twice on a good track, so the change in conditions shouldn’t be a problem.
The rise in distance proved to be the right move and the son of Tavistock looks a natural stayer in the making. Running over 2400m in the space of five days isn’t an easy task, but Cummings is clearly confident it can repeat the effort from last Wednesday.
It’s owned by OTI Racing which means they have high hopes and the +650 at Sportsbet.com.au is a good win price. Punters can also choose to take the $2.50 for the place which is a great betting proposition.
The main dangers in the race are current $3.80 favourite Admiral Jello and last start winner Embley which could test Plymouth Road for speed up front.
Race 4 – Lets Get Nauti Girl
This will be a hotly-contested race which features some talented up-and-comers, but Lets Get Nauti Girl has each way credentials.
The Kris Lees-trained filly finished second on debut at Scone when finishing 3.5 lengths behind the talented Perast, before lining up in the Widden Stakes.
The Irish-bred two-year-old had no luck after being hampered around the 800m and it did well to finish only 2.3 lengths behind Teaspoon.
Punters will have to take a gamble on this runner, but Tim Clark rides at a luxury weight of 54.5kg and punters are starting to take notice of its ability.
After opening at $14 it’s now into $12 for the win, but the best choice for punters is to take the +270 at Palmerbet.com.au for the place.
We’re also expecting the heavily-backed Sweet Deal and Ultramarine to play a part in the finish.
Race 5 – Dothraki
Dothraki is at great value in the Southern Cross Stakes and bookmakers have been forced to adjust its opening price.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained gelding appears to be out of form this campaign, but it’s dropping back from racing in the Magic Millions Sprint and it will have the fitness edge over the current short favourite Impending.
The six-year-old has over $1 million in the bank with some quality wins along the way and it usually fires in races like this. It has drawn well in barrier three and it has good form at Randwick.
Bookmakers have trimmed its odds from $6.50 to +450 at Ladbrokes, which is still good each way value and we’re confident Dothraki will be presented to win in the straight.
Race 6 – Royal Navy
Royal Navy is a progressive type which is fluctuating in the market. It opened at $6, dropped to $4.20 on Monday morning, but has since drifted back out yo $4.60.
We’re predicting that it stays steady at the +360 with CrownBet after winning back-to-back races leading into the Spring Stakes for three-year-olds.
The Snowden-trained colt won its maiden at Kembla Grange in January before winning what should be a strong form race at Rosehill last start.
It’s primary owner is Coolmore Stud and the well-bred son of Fastnet Rock looks to have many more wins in store as it matures.
It jumps from a tricky barrier of 11, but Corey Brown is riding in good form and there’s no clear top pick in the race which means it should be in the thick of the finish.
Race 9 – Zara Bay
Horses running down in the weights can be dangerous and Zara Bay fits the bill nicely.
The Hawkes-trained mare is having its first start at Randwick which is a concern, but it adapted well to racing right handed when finishing third behind Scarlet Rain last start.
The four-year-old mare is a winner of two from 14 starts and it saves its best form for this distance. It didn’t fire in the Begonia Belle at Flemington during the spring carnival, but this is a big drop in class from taking on the likes of Sheidel.
Running on dry ground is ideal and it won’t have to spend a penny from an inside draw. Bookmakers dropped its odds from $14 to $11, but it still represents value and the +250 to place at Bet365.com is a good bet.