Despite drawing the outside alley at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday the John O’Shea-trained Allergic is the well-supported favourite of the Kingston Town Stakes 2016 field.
The John O’Shea-trained Allergic is short-priced favourite to win the 2016 Kingston Town Stakes at Rosehill in Sydney on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart.
A key support act on the Golden Rose Stakes Day card in Sydney, this year’s $125,000 Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) originally drew a final field of 12 stayers.
The line-up is down to 11 after the early scratching of Bring Luck (2).
Sitting top of the updated Kingston Town Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au at a short $2.60 and firming is the Godolphin-raced Allergic who jumps from the widest barrier with James McDonald retaining the ride.
McDonald partnered the Street Cry gelding last time out at the track on August 27 when Allergic, on the back of a win in the Premier’s Cup Prelude, finished just 1.4 lengths away fifth to Sense Of Occasion in the Listed Premier’s Cup (1900m).
He drops from 58kg that run to 56.5kg on Saturday and will appreciate getting back up to his pet distance of 2000m, which he boasts three wins and three seconds from eight runs over to date.
His run in the Premier’s Cup was tough, getting caught up and unable to get into the clear, and if he gets the luck in running he can atone in the Kingston Town Stakes.
Hot on his heels in the Kingston Town Stakes betting markets is one of three in the race for Chris Waller, McCreery ($3.40).
The Big Bad Bob gelding chases back-to-back wins after running home first ahead of stablemates Marenostro and Junoob in Hawkesbury’s Listed Rowley Mile (1600m) on August 18.
He rises notably in distance on Saturday however, this his first run over further than the 1600m, but he gets in on the 54kg minimum again with Brazilian hoop Joao Moreira over for the ride.
Rounding out the single-figure fancies are Sir John Hawkwood ($6.50) and Waller’s Rowley Mile third-placegetter Junoob ($9) who carries the 59kg top weight.
John Thompson trains the 58.5kg second heaviest-weighted Sir John Hawkwood following a stable change for the veteran stayer.
Saturday is the Sir Percy eight-year-old’s first official run for Thompson, but regular rider Blake Spriggs continues his association.
Formerly with David Vandyke, the gallant gelding was last seen running second in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m).
That was his seventh top three run on the trot going back to last spring, and a recent second to First Seal in a Randwick trial over 1200m suggests he is ready to kick off where he left off.
Sir John Hawkwood has never won over less than 1800m, so 2000m first-up looks ideal, and he on the Group 3 Sky High Stakes at this track / distance first-up off a 71 day break last campaign.
Junoob meanwhile has Hugh Bowman aboard from gate 11 this weekend, the Haafhd nine-year-old still showing a zest for racing despite his years.
He is also a Brisbane Cup place-getter from the winter (third) and has placed twice since.
His latest Rosehill run produced a Listed Winter Cup (2400m) second in July, before the first-up Rowley Mile third under 62kg.
Waller’s third runner is Loophole ($10) who gets the inside barrier one draw, Glyn Schofield riding the last start Wyong Cup fourth placegetter on the quick eight day back-up.
Check out the full Kingston Town Stakes 2016 field, barriers, jockeys, weights and Fixed Win odds below – prices provided by our No. 1 recommended bookie Ladbrokes.com.au.
