Australian Oaks favourite Zanbagh (inside) is favourite for the Vinery Stud Stakes 2014 on Saturday. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia.
Markets on the 2014 Vinery Stud Stakes nominations for Saturday are now out at bookmakers around Australia with the Guy Walter-trained Australian Oaks-bound Zangbah heading the odds for the fillies’ classic.
One of three Group 1 features on Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill, this year’s $400,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) is shaping up as a top race between the headline three-year-olds’ heading towards the 2014 Australian Oaks at Randwick on April 19.
Early favourite for the Vinery Stud Stakes and the Oaks is Zangbah, the daughter of Bernardini paying $3.70 for Saturday and slightly shorter $3.60 for the Oaks on Sydney Cup Day.
Jumping favourite for the Vinery Stud statistically will work in Zangbah’s favour too as 10 of the past 15 punters’ picks have saluted.
She’s shooting for back-to-back wins having taken out the Group 2 Keith Nolan Classic (1600m) at Kembla Grange on March 23, and will appreciate the extra distance having run a good second in the Group 1 Crown Oaks (2500m) in Melbourne during the spring.
Solicit, a $10 Oaks chance, is the next best in Vinery Stud Stakes betting for the weekend then at a quote of $6.
The Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra-trained Victorian filly is yet to race in Sydney in her 10 start career, but has been a dominant force at home in Melbourne.
Third in the Crown Oaks at Flemington during the Cup Carnival, she kicked off her autumn with back-to-back wins firstly in the Group 3 The Mittys Vanity and then the Group 2 Kewney Stakes.
Her last start was a somewhat disappointing fourth in the Listed Alexandra Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley however, connections hoping she can return to form in her interstate debut.
Hot on Solicit’s heels at $6.50 is then Rising Romance, the $5 second pick for the Australian Oaks.
The New Zealand-trained Ekraar filly crosses the Tasman for the first time here, a super chance for a Group 1 win after coming close when runner-up behind Puccini in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) a month ago.
The other fillies currently under single figures to win the Vinery if accepted are then fellow Kiwi raider Miss Mossman coming off a Group 1 New Zealand Oaks win over the mile and a half from March 15 and Suavito both at $8.50.
Nigel Blackiston’s Thorn Park filly Suvaito has been thereabouts in all of her seven runs finishing top three every time, most recently pulling out a first-up third in the Kewney and a narrow second when beaten a nostril flare in the Alexandra Stakes.
Other notable Vinery Stud Stakes hopes and their pre-field prices include Coolmore Classic failure Lucia Valentina ($11), Alexandra Stakes winner Marianne ($11), the Chris Waller-trained Define ($17) coming off a Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes second at Rosehill a fortnight ago and John O’Shea’s Gypsy Diamond ($18) who the bookies are taking no chances with despite her being an unlikely runner.
The official 2014 Vinery Stud Stakes field and barriers are out on Wednesday morning so make sure you stay tuned to Races.com.au to view the acceptances and gates.
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