HDF McNeil Stakes 2020 racing tips & best bets

Flying Award
ANZAC Day Stakes winner Flying Award is prominent in the betting for Saturday’s Group 3 McNeil Stakes at Caulfield.

The 1200m H.D.F. McNeil Stakes for three-year-olds at set weights is one of two Group 3 races at Caulfield on Saturday. Blue Diamond winner Tagaloa is the current favourite ahead of the undefeated Immortal Love and Danny O’Brien’s Flying Award. The race looks to be set up for a back marker, with plenty of speed likely to be engaged by the likes of Ranting, Hard Landing, Immortal Love and The Last Charge. It’ll be a great race to follow heading into the Caulfield Guineas and VRC Derby.

2020 HDF McNeil Stakes betting tips

Best Bet
Flying Award @ $9.50 Sportsbet

We are with Flying Award to make it two in a row with a first-up win here. His win in the ANZAC Day Stakes at Flemington had to be seen to be believed, with champion jockey Damien Oliver getting everything out of the Shamus Award colt to come from last after missing the kick. The 1200m should be ideal resuming at Caulfield as he heads on a Guineas/Cox Plate path. He should get pace to suit him here given he tends to get back in his runs. From barrier six, Oliver will be just worse than middle of the pack in the big field. The $9.50 is big overs in our opinion, considering he was a $3.50 chance at Moonee Valley last weekend before his race was abandoned due to the weather. He will only improve on this Saturday’s showing as he goes out in trip, but we are still very keen on him here.

Next Best
Immortal Love @ $7 Sportsbet

The undefeated Immortal Love has been simply too good in both of his career starts to date, winning by 2L and 3.5L respectively. Craig Newitt rode the gelding in each of those wins and sticks with him here. He’s likely to land in the box seat from barrier four, which will be a great spot to be if he can avoid the speed battle. Both wins to date have been good, up-on-the-speed performances where he went on with the job to put the field to bed, including VOBIS Showdown winner Khoekhoe by nearly 4L. He looks a real prospect for the Spring Racing Carnival.

Best Value
Branders Rule $23 Sportsbet

Branders Rule had the flashing light on him first up in the Vain Stakes over 1100m a fortnight ago and should be much better for the run. After settling worse than midfield under Luke Nolen, the Brazen Beau colt worked home very strongly in restricted room to run fourth. He is drawn badly in barrier 16, so he is likely to settle a fair way off them, but with plenty of speed on, he should be able to finish quite strongly. We blackbooked him after his first-up run and can’t believe he’s a $23 shot here. He’s definitely one to follow and include in your multiples at the price.

$100 Betting Strategy

$40 each way – Flying Award
$10 each way – Branders Rule

Sportsbet

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