Ten runners have been confirmed in the final field for Saturday’s Group 3 Craven Plate (2000m) at Royal Randwick; offering punters exceptional value from a betting standpoint and several key opportunities to place a winning wager.
Clear favourite Complacent will be hard to beat in the 2015 Craven Plate. Photo: Steve Hart
Complacent ($2) has returned to racing in exceptional form following almost two years in the paddock with injury, and remains clear favourite in 2015 Craven Plate betting markets with Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of Hauraki ($6.50) and Ruling Dynasty ($7.50).
Will Complacent justify his clear favouritism and win the 2015 Craven Plate, or will one of his many talented rivals find the line in the clear?
1st
Complacent ($2)
A Group 1 winner over the distance, Complacent has more than proven he is still up to the task after his length absence and will be very tough to beat in the Craven Plate from barrier 4, with James McDonald aboard. Posting a career total of four wins and as many minors through only nine starts, the Authorized entire returned to the paddock in late 2013 after winning the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and finishing second in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m). Having clearly needed the run when beating only one rival home in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) on August 22nd, Complacent beat a particularly classy field to the line in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) a fortnight later before running a credible third in the Group 2 Hill Stakes (2000m) last start.
2nd
Hauraki ($6.50)
Fellow Godolphin runner, Hauraki is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from his two runs this time in, will leave from the ideal barrier 3 in the 2015 Craven Plate with Joao Moreira aboard and is a leading chance for a first three finish. Stamping his claims as a horse to follow through the recent Sydney Carnival, the Reset gelding ran second in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) and won the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) before running a close second to Mongolian Khan in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m).
3rd
Moriarty ($11)
Group 1 winner Moriarty will relish a step up to 2000m for the 2015 Craven Plate and will likely receive a dream run from barrier 5 with leading hoop Hugh Bowman aboard. Having capped a strong 2014 campaign with success in the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m), the Clodovil took a few runs to find form upon resuming this year, but again took well to a trip north for fourth in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) and second in the Group 2 Eagle Farm Cup (2200m) most notably. Having hit the line well when seventh in the Group 2 Shannon Stakes (1500m) last time out, Moriarty offers great value for money at current Craven Plate odds.
Do you agree with our 2015 Craven Plate tips? Open an account at Ladbrokes.com.au today and have your say with the best odds available online!
