Houtzen vs. Russian Revolution McEwen Stakes head-to-head betting

Houtzen vs. Russian Revolution

THE McEwen Stakes is one of the must-watch races this weekend and that’s mostly due to the expected dual between Houtzen and Russian Revolution.

Magic Millions winner Houtzen has the speed to match it with most horses over this distance in Australia, but Russian Revolution brings the class from some of the toughest three-year-old races last autumn.

Head-to-head betting is an underutilised tactic for punters in Australia, but this race is the perfect opportunity for punters to get involved with the action.

Don’t worry about the other horses in the field. This is 1 vs. 1 and it brings a different dynamic to the race.

Sportsbet.com.au has opened its head-to-head betting markets early for Horsebetting.com.au so punters can take advantage of the great odds on offer for the McEwen Stakes this Saturday at Moonee Valley.

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Houtzen vs. Russian Revolution betting market

Sportsbet is favouring the classy Houtzen in the betting at $1.61, but followers of Russian Revolution will enjoy seeing the $2.28 on offer.

The son of Snitzel has started at odds of $2.90, $3.40 and $3.50 at its last three starts, so getting $2.28 to beat only one other runner is great value for fans of the Snowden-trained star.

h2h betting market

Conversely, the $1.61 for Houtzen is also good value compared to its average starting price. Apart from the Magic Millions ($4) and the Golden Slipper ($4.40), Houtzen has started no longer than $1.35 at its last four starts.

Houtzen form guide

Houtzen
Houtzen finishing fifth in the Golden Slipper behind She Will Reign. Photo: Bradley Photos

Houtzen burst onto the racing scene for trainer Toby Edmonds in December when winning by four lengths on debut at Doomben.

The daughter of I Am Invincible quickly put lengths on the likes of Garrard and that form has been stacking up well since. It then went to the Gold Coast in preparation for the Magic Millions where it won by 4.5 lengths under the guidance of Queensland’s champion jockey Jeff Lloyd.

The Magic Millions 2YO Classic would come next and be its biggest test to date. It scorched to the front from the barriers and did enough to hold off the fast-finishing Chauffeur to score the millions.

The then two-year-old had a short break before resuming to win by four lengths at Eagle Farm and remain unbeaten from four starts, but two weeks later it suffered its first defeat.

That came in the Group 1 Golden Slipper where the track was extremely heavy, but it battled on well for fifth and that was an amazing performance considering the circumstances.

There are some horses that haven’t completely recovered from that tough Slipper run, but Houtzen has been given more time to mature and it gets into the McEwen Stakes perfectly on the weights.

Houtzen will carry only 50kg around The Valley with Craig Williams in the saddle and its superior barrier speed should see it cross from out wide.

There will be plenty of speed in the race with Heatherly and Hellbent likely to go forward, but Houtzen might just blow them away for speed and hold on grimly to the line.

Russian Revolution form guide

Russian Revolution
Russian Revolution winning at Randwick in 2016 – the second of four consecutive wins. Photo: Bradley Photos

Future stallion Russian Revolution is a winner of five from eight starts and they have featured some quality wins.

The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained colt began its career at Canterbury where it scored a narrow win against an average field, but its second-up win at Randwick came over the likes of Morton’s Fork and Treviso by two lengths.

The son of Snitzel took on stakes company its next start in the Vain Stakes where it won narrowly over Highland Beat. Another stakes win would soon follow in the Roman Consul when beating Astern and Capitalist in a close finish.

It has thrown in the deep end in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes as a $9 chance with bookmakers, but it battled on well for fourth behind Flying Artie, Astern and Star Turn. There’s nothing wrong with that form and it didn’t stay out of the winners enclosure for long.

It resumed in the autumn with a win in the Group 1 Galaxy which was followed up with handy showings in the T.J. Smith Stakes and Doomben 10,000.

The wet tracks didn’t help its cause in the autumn, but Moonee Valley should suit and it has drawn to get the sweet trip in transit.

Drawing barrier four will allow Russian Revolution to sit off the pace, which will be hot, and launch late in the piece. Whether or not it has the turn-of-foot to reel in Houtzen over this distance remains to be seen, but it brings the class edge and punters will be supporting it on the day.

Houtzen vs. Russian Revolution head-to-head tip

This race is all about tempo and it is expected that they will go quickly from the outset.

Houtzen will have to cross from the wide barrier which won’t be an issue for the noted fast starter, but having enough left in the tank for the final 100m is where the concern lies.

Russian Revolution will enjoy a better trip than Houtzen, but it hasn’t shown the same turn-of-foot as Houtzen over the short course distance and that’s the worry for the four-year-old.

Houtzen has drifted in the betting for the race, but we still fancy it to beat Russian Revolution in the head-to-head market.

Take the $1.61 with Sportsbet.com.au and enjoy this exciting betting type.

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