Bet with caution on New Zealand champion Xtravagant
CO-trainer of New Zealand champion Xtravagant, Stephen Autridge, has warned punters to bet with caution ahead of the Bobbie Lewis Quality at Flemington on Saturday.
An elevated temperature caused the four-year-old to be scratched at Moonee Valley last week and although it hasn’t missed any work throughout the week, a solid run is all the connections are hoping for.
“He’s not 100 percent fit for Saturday, but we’re expecting him to run a good race,” Autridge said, who trains in partnership with Jamie Richards at Te Akau Racing.
“If he runs in the first five I’ll be really happy. We’ve been a little bit easy on him and whatever he does Saturday it will bring him on a lot.”
With the health concern out of the way, punters primary concerns then moved to whether Xtravagant would handle the straight six at Flemington, but Autridge believes it will.
“He had a little virus but was over that very quickly and we always had this race as a back-up plan,” Autridge said.
“First time down the straight will be interesting but he’s enjoying being here this time, nice and chilled out and his work has been good.
“I don’t think the straight will bother him but we’ll just have to wait and see.”
Xtravagant’s only run in Australia was a disappointing finish in the Group 1 Australian Guineas where it led before tiring in the straight. It has won many races in New Zealand by leading, but a tactical change might be in store this season.
“We thought after the Guineas we had to do things a bit differently. We rode him with a trail at his next start and he found the line well,” Autridge said.
“When you’re the front runner all the time you can end up a sitting duck.
“We’ve brought him here to win a group one race – that’s the aim and we believe if he is right he is capable of doing it.”
Xtravagant is currently a $5.50 chance at Sportsbet.com.au.