Formerly the C.B. Cox Stakes, Saturday’s Ted Van Heemst Stakes 2016 at Ascot Racecourse is the key Perth Cup lead-up and below are our insider betting tips on the summer staying showdown.
Jockey William Pike (aboard Escado, inside) rides Saturday’s 2016 Ted Van Heemst Stakes favourite Perfect Reflection. Photo: Adrienne Bicknell.
Thirteen horses are still in the mix for the $250,000 Group 2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes (2100m) and the hot favourite in the latest markets at Ladbrokes.com.au is Group 1 winning mare Perfect Reflection ($2.90).
Odds on the Grant & Alana Williams-trained four-year-old are firming as she comes off back-to-back elite level thirds in the Railway Stakes and the Kingston Town Classic respectively.
Perfect Reflection won the latter last year over 1800m and Saturday she is looking to win over further than that for the first time with Perth’s best William Pike in the saddle.
The bookies are also keeping her progressive 2016 Perth Cup-bound stablemate Neverland ($7.50) safe in Ted Van Heemst Stakes betting.
So will Team Williams run the quinella with the best in the markets or is there value tipping an upset Ted Van Heemst Stakes result this season from the likes of Tradesman ($8) who looks on target for this race or Fred Kersley’s last start Tattersall’s Cup winner Respondent ($10)?
1st
#14 Perfect Reflection ($2.90)
She’s firming fast but if she runs out this distance she’ll win. Lead-up form has been good and in tougher class including the third in the Kingston Town Classic. Won that race the summer prior and Pike retains the ride here. Barrier is wide, widest she has jumped from since last year’s Kingston Town, but there’s time to overcome. Well suited to weight-for-age conditions and she’s the one to beat so long as she runs the metres strongly.
2nd
#6 Dark Musket ($14)
Nice value on offer for this consistent Graeme Ballantyne-trained Musket five-year-old from Lark Hill. Ascot’s definitely not his track as he has four thirds from 11 starts, but two of those placings have come back-to-back this prep leading up to the Group 2 test on Saturday. Last Saturday finished a brave third in the Listed JRA Trophy (2200m) and so is on the quick back-up. Rises in kilos to WFA and this is a definite test, but he has staying ability and can surprise.
3rd
#11 I’m Feeling Lucky ($13)
Going for the value punts and like this stablemate of the favourite to finish in the money. The ultra-consistent Bletchingly Park mare won a host of races on the trot before a last start second in the Listed Jungle Dawn (1400m) in easier company. Rises in class and notably in distance, but has won up to 2200m so will eat up the extra metres. Another surprise hope in an open field.
Whether you’re backing or sacking our Ted Van Heemst Stakes 2016 tips make sure you’ve got access to the best odds and offers online at Ladbrokes.com.au.
