Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara barrier draw, updated market and news
THE barrier draw for the 2016 Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) has been finalised and the market has updated with Azkadellia firming in as the favourite.
The Ciaron Maher-trained mare is looking to give its trainer two consecutive wins after Srikandi won last year, but the current $2.30 favourite at Crownbet.com.au will be needing a better performance that what it showed in the Stradbroke Handicap.
It has drawn barrier 11 which won’t be an issue and Maher is pleased with its work leading into the final Queensland group 1.
“I was hoping to go back-to-back in the Stradbroke but we missed out so now hopefully it’s this one,” Maher said.
Azkadellia finished 10th in the Stradbroke Handicap behind Under The Louvre, but the track conditions along the inside tested even the best of horses on the newly-designed Eagle Farm surface.
“She’s pulled up well. She was just in the wrong part of the track in the Stradbroke and her fitness levels are pretty good,” Maher said.
“We ended up on the inside in the Stradbroke and that was clearly not the place to be.
“Hopefully we can find the right path this week.
“Barriers don’t really matter as she generally gets back.
“She’s been to the beach a few times to keep her fresh and hopefully she can bounce back to form.”
2016 Tattersall’s Tiara barrier draw and market
1. Azkadellia (11) – $2.30 at Crownbet.com.au
2. Danish Twist (1) – $7.50
3. Precious Gem (4) – $8
4. Cradle Me (13) – $8
5. Miss Cover Girl (9) – $26
6. Jessy Belle (7) – $26
7. Sultry Feeling (14) – $26
8. Press Report (5) – $41
9. Scarlet Billows (10) – $18
10. Echo Gal (3) – $51
11. Artistry (12) – $15
12. Palazzo Pubblico (6) – $41
13. Onemorezeta (15) – $41
14. Beatniks (2) – $67
15. Blueberry Hill (8) – $21
16. My Poppette (16) – $21
Azkadellia opened at $2.40 once the barrier was completed and it has already shortened to $2.30. The other move was for Danish Twist which scored the inside barrier, but punters are predicting the Eagle Farm track is still off on the inside.
The Kris Lees-trained runner has drifted from $7 to $7.50, but remains a strong chance after winning its last four races.
The top four runners are all at single-figure odds with the next best runner being Scarlet Billows at $18. Jack Hill takes the ride on the Darren Weir runner and he’s doing it with a plate in his collarbone after a serious race fall. Hill will have surgery following the Tattersall’s Tiara on Saturday and said he wasn’t going to turn down riding in a group 1 for Darren Weir.
Tattersall’s Cup field and barrier draw
The $200,000 Tattersall’s Cup is another major race on the card at Eagle Farm this Saturday and a field of eight will line up over the 2200m.
Brisbane Cup winner and New Zealand invader Benzini lines up from barrier three with the Chris Waller-trained pair of Junoob (1) and Index Linked (2) getting the inside barriers.
1. Junoob (1) – $3.80
2. Benzini (3) – $4.20
3. Index Linked (2) – $9.50
4. Malice (5) – $7.50
5. Brave Ali (8) – $51
6. Gesemi (6) – $8.50
7. Tucanchoo (4) – $2.90
8. Mr Lebrock (7) – $41
The Hawkes-trained Tucanchoo will be looking to notch its four consecutive win and the bookmakers believe it will do so. The son of Pentire defeated subsequent winner Vassal last time out at Randwick and it could win in three different states in three starts.
It looks to have matured nicely this campaign and the 54kg makes it tough to beat.