Heavy backing for Order Again to win Queensland Derby
PUNTERS are jumping aboard Order Again for Saturday’s Group 1 Queensland Derby.
The three-year-old gelding impressed last start to take out the 2200m Grand Prix Stakes at Eagle Farm.
Running second on that occasion was Volatile Mix, which shares the top line of Derby betting at online bookmaker Sportsbet.com.au.
Both horses are paying +380 for the win in the early outright market.
While Queensland-bred runners have performed well throughout this year’s Brisbane winter carnival, none have yet managed to take out a Group 1 race.
Punters are backing Order Again to break that duck in the Derby, despite Racing Queensland’s decision to move the race from Eagle Farm to the shorter track at Doomben.
“Queensland horses have performed well during the carnival, but they are yet to claim a Group 1,” said Sportsbet’s Will Byrne.
“Order Again was very impressive winner last start and betting suggests punters think he can do it again.”
The QLD Derby is but one of three Group 1 races on the cards in Brisbane this weekend.
Melody Belle is the short-priced +150 favourite in the J.J. Atkins Stakes, although her nomination is yet to be confirmed.
The New Zealand import impressed on her Australian debut last month, beating out an 18-strong field in the Group 2 Mitavite Sires’ Produce Stakes.
Second in that race was Taking Aim – a +650 chance behind Capital Gain (+450) and Qiji Phoenix (+500).
In the Stradbroke Handicap betting, all the money is on Clearly Innocent at +260 to notch his third win in as many runs.
His chief challenger is Counterattack, paying +650 on the back of strong results in the Doomben 10,000 and the Kingsford-Smith Cup.
Derryn (+700) and Ulmann (+800) are the only other horses in single digits.
Queensland Derby betting
+380 – Order Again, Volatile Mix
+450 – Shocking Luck*
+650 – Ruthven
+900 – Black On Gold
+1000 – Ana Royale*
+1200 – Mongolian Wolf
+1400 – Fontein Lad*, Rockstar Rebel, Violate
+1600 – Here He Comes, Montaserio
+1800 – Sizzling Bullet
(Others quoted)
JJ Atkins Stakes betting
+150 – Melody Belle*
+450 – Capital Gain
+500 – Qiji Phoenix
+650 – Taking Aim
+800 – Aloisia
+1100 – Sambro
+1400 – Pardoe, Tangled
+1600 – Pierata, Snitzepeg
(Others quoted)
Stradbroke Handicap betting
+260 – Clearly Innocent
+650 – Counterattack
+700 – Derryn
+800 – Ulmann
+900 – Impending
+1000 – Jungle Edge, Mackinstosh
+1200 – Bonny O’reilly
+1400 – In Her Time
+2000 – Burning Front, Egyptian Symbol, Hooked, Tactical Advantage
(Others quoted)
*Not yet nominated