The feature race for four-year-olds and up this weekend is the Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m), with betting tips set out below.
Manawanui is our tip to win the 2014 Moonga Stakes, beginning his comeback to racing. Photo by Taron Clarke.
There are 14 runners on the field for Saturday’s Caulfield Cup Day supporting race, running as Race 5 at 3:10pm (AEDT).
Just three of the horses are offering single figure odds at Ladbrokes.com.au after Lucky Hussler drifted from $7 to $10. Leading the 2014 Moonga Stakes betting market is Leebaz at $3.80
The Hawkes Racing-trained New Zealand gelding will jump from the ideal third barrier with Dwayne Dunn in the saddle, and has seen his price shorten from $5.50 to $3.80.
The five-year-old hasn’t been seen on the field in spring yet, but had a fantastic beginning of the year that included three wins and two second placing.
He was last seen in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) in May, in which he was a fast-finishing second.
It’s not surprising the punters have heavily backed Leebaz, considering he has won six of his 10 career starts and placed second in another three, pushing his place rate up to 90%.
Will the three favourites bring home the winning trifecta? Or will one of the many double-digit odds runners cause an upset? Read on to see our tips for the 2014 Moonga Stakes.
1st
#3 Manawanui ($5)
The gelding has seen lots of money coming in for him, shortening from $9.50 to $5 in the fixed-price odds. Manawanui was the horse to beat back in 2011, taking out three consecutive Group wins including the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m). He then ended his season on a win, running a close second to Helmet in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m). He faltered in 2013, failing to impress in any of his five starts but after 11 months off the field, he returned with an emotional win in the Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) last month. He’s run well in his last two barrier trials and is set to return to his winning form.
2nd
#6 Leebaz ($3.80)
You can’t go past the favourite in the Moonga Stakes considering he has an impressive place rate of 90% with six wins and three second placings from his 10 career starts. Hasn’t been seen since the Doomben Cup in May but should finish in the money.
3rd
#10 Admire Inazuma ($11)
Japanese runners were set to dominate the Caulfield Cup Day field but after Bande was scratched from the Cup it is up to this horse in the Moonga. Will get a great start from barrier two with Zac Purton to ride and is in great form following three wins and a second from his last four starts.
Do you agree with our 2014 Moonga Stakes tips? Open your online betting account with Ladbrokes.com.au to back our selections.
For just $3 you can enter the Ladbrokes Mega Pick this Caulfield Cup Day and bet your way to a $3 million windfall.
*All odds quoted are Fixed Win from Ladbrokes.com.au and subject to change
