The feature race in Sydney this weekend runs at Rosehill Racecourse with the Civic Stakes 2014 taking centre stage.
Generalife is the Races.com.au tip to win Sydney's 2014 Civic Stakes this weekend. Photo: Steve Hart.
There are 11 hopefuls in the mix for this year’s $100,000 Listed Civic Stakes (1350m) running as Sydney Race 6 at 3:15pm (AEST).
Of those lining up in the handicap feature the firming favourite is the Grahame Begg-trained Bennetta ($3.80) coming off a fourth to Ramornie Handicap hope Big Money in the Group 3 W.J. Healy Stakes (1200m).
She’s down in class this weekend but up in distance, meters the four-year-old mare has proven she can handle.
The other single figure chances in the race are then Taxmeifyoucan ($7) coming off a second at the track over 1400m, the best fancied of Chris Waller’s five in the race Tougher Than Ever ($7), the John O’Shea-trained last start Rosehill winner Generalife ($7.50) and finally Oakfield Commands ($8.50) coming off a win in Randwick’s Winter Dash.
So will Bennetta break her length 18 month losing drought?
Or is there an upset Civic Stakes 2014 result on the cards?
1st
#10 Generalife ($7.50)
Waller may have run first four in the Winter Cup last weekend but think his runners will all be beaten in Saturday’s feature with Generalife the one to beat for us. Gun barrier three draw for O’Shea’s Lonhro four-year-old who is on the improve and coming off a nice lead-up. Has won two of their past three starts including over this track and distance on June 14. Up in class but carried 58kg to victory that day and get in on the 54kg minimum here so ready to add some black-type to their record.
2nd
#5 Bennetta ($3.80)
Deserving favourite with Group 1 form from earlier this year when sixth in the All Aged over 1400m at Randwick. Haven’t won in over a year however so confidence could be down. Has had two nice runs in Brisbane before this against better rivals when third in the Group 2 QTC Cup (1300m) and then fourth in the Group 3 WJ Healy Stakes (1200m). Back up in distance so that should suit.
3rd
#6 Oakfield Commands ($8.50)
Impressive winner of the Winter Dash two weeks ago over 1200m at Randwick defeating Zaratone, but this is a better class of rivals and they carry more weight. Got in there with 52kg thanks to an apprentice claim but are on 54.5kg for Saturday so need to improve. Good barrier four draw though and Ryan has stuck with jockey Lester Grace who will have a feel for the horse now.
Don’t settle for second best odds this weekend.
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*All odds quoted are Fixed Win from Ladbrokes.com.au and subject to change
