Ciaron Maher‘s brilliant The Everest winning mare Bella Nipotina looks set to see out her sensational spring a winner when she lines-up as the favourite in Sydney’s $3 million Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Formerly known as the Winners Stakes and renamed each year after the previous spring’s The Everest champion, the 2024 Russell Balding Stakes has a new title, and it is this year’s winner of the world’s richest turf race who sits top of the markets at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Bella Nipotina entered the history books as the first ever The Everest winning mare and gets the chance to salute for the punters now as the $2.60 top elect in Russell Balding Stakes betting.
She’s drawn a treat in barrier four with Craig Williams retaining the ride with the duo looking to go back-to-back after their success in the same race last year.
If successful, Bella Nipotina will become the race’s first two-time champion, and the punters are behind her to do so.
The danger occupying the second line of betting at $5 is fellow mare Sunshine In Paris racing for Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald.
The bonny Invader five-year-old presents fit third-up after a win fresh in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes and last The Everest fifth in a blanket finish when only 1.5 lengths off Bella.
Something of a Rosehill specialist having won two from three at the track and placing second in the other, Sunshine In Paris could be able to turn the tables from gate nine with Tommy Berry aboard.
In an open top half of betting a further three runners are at single figure Russell Balding Stakes odds including the Joe Pride-trained Private Eye ($6.50) drawn the rails with Jay Ford in the saddle.
A dual The Everest placegetter in 2022 and 2023, the now seven-year-old son of Al Maher was sixth in this year’s race without losing face under two lengths off the winner.
He will appreciate the 1300m having a sensational strike rate at the distance (8:4-1-1) and boasts a great record in this event.
Private Eye won the Winners Stakes in 2022 and was runner-up last year in a run full of merit.
Completing the hopes under double figures for the win this weekend on Golden Eagle Day are Maher’s other mare I Am Me ($8.50) out to atone for her The Everest 10th placing and the Peter Snowden-trained King Of Sparta ($9) second-up after a fourth in the Sydnye Stakes fresh with Joao Moriera riding on Saturday.
The early Russell Balding Stakes market mover meanwhile backed in from $12 to $10 is Mazu also representing Pride.
The 2024 Russell Balding Stakes is set to run as Rosehill Race 7 at 4:00pm (AEDT).
Russell Balding Stakes 2024 Odds
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1. Private Eye (1)
J: Jay Ford 57.5kg
T: Joseph Pride |
||
| Useful gelding. Most recently 6th of 11 at Randwick in the G1 Everest on October 19 over 1200m, on a slow track; 1.5 len behind Bella Nipotina carrying 58.5kg at $26. The run before that eased back early on 6th of 11 at Randwick in the G2 The Shorts on September 21 over 1100m, 1.5 len behind I Am Me carrying 57kg at $5. Close to a win and the extra trip suits. | ||
|
2. King Of Sparta (4)
J: Joao Moreira 57.5kg
T: Peter Snowden |
||
| Second-up today. Last outing 4th of 18 at Randwick in the G3 Sydney Stks on October 19 over 1200m, slow going 2.25 len behind Overpass carrying 58.5kg at $11. At only start last preparation 6th of 14 at Ascot Quokka on April 20 over 1200m, 2.25 len behind Overpass with 58.5kg at $5. Strips fitter and expected to go close with his good second-up record. | ||
|
3. Bella Nipotina (3)
J: Craig Williams 56.5kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
||
| Useful type. Last start raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by a nose at Randwick G1 Everest October 19 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Giga Kick carrying 56.5kg at $9. Before that 3rd of 7 at Randwick in the G2 Premiere on October 5 over 1200m, neck behind Airman with 56.5kg at $2.40. Champion mare who can get the job done again. | ||
|
4. Sunshine In Paris (8)
J: Tommy Berry 56.5kg
T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald |
||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming ran on from midfield and won by a neck at this track G2 Sheraco September 14 over 1200m defeating Mumbai Muse carrying 58kg at $3.80. Second-up 5th of 11 at Randwick in the G1 Everest on October 19 over 1200m, slow going 1.5 len behind Bella Nipotina carrying 56.5kg at $7. Look for her charging late. | ||
|
5. Lady Laguna (9)
J: Tyler Schiller 56.5kg
T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald |
||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 7th of 10 at Randwick in the G3 Toy Show on August 24 over 1100m, 2.5 len behind Kimochi carrying 61kg at $8.50. Last start 6th of 18 at Randwick in the G3 Sydney Stks on October 19 over 1200m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Overpass with 56.5kg at $19. Slim place prospects. | ||
|
6. Mazu (6)
J: Nash Rawiller 56.5kg
T: Joseph Pride |
||
| Useful type. At the latest run 5th of 18 at Randwick in the G3 Sydney Stks on October 19 over 1200m, slow going 3 len behind Overpass carrying 58.5kg at $7. The race before that raced on the pace when 2nd of 7 at Randwick in the G2 Premiere on October 5 over 1200m, head behind Airman with 58.5kg at $7. Has been racing well. Can figure in the minor placings. | ||
|
7. Phearson (10)
J: Tom Sherry 56.5kg
T: Brad Widdup |
||
| Most recently 5th of 15 at Caulfield in the G3 Moonga Stks on October 19 over 1400m, slow going 3.5 len behind Mighty Ulysses carrying 58.5kg at $21. The start before that second last of 12 at Randwick in the G3 Bill Ritchie on September 21 over 1400m, 10 len behind Mchale carrying 56.5kg at $16. Outclassed in this contest. | ||
|
8. Coal Crusher (2)
J: Chad Schofield 56kg
T: Joseph Pride |
||
| Last start sat on speed throughout when 2nd of 18 at Randwick in the G3 Sydney Stks on October 19 over 1200m, slow going 1.5 len behind Overpass carrying 58.5kg at $61. Before that faded in the straight 5th of 7 at Randwick in the G2 Premiere on October 5 over 1200m, 1.3 len behind Airman carrying 58.5kg at $51. Needs to take another step to trouble some of these. | ||
|
10. Rocketing By (7)
J: Kerrin McEvoy 56kg
T: David Pfieffer |
||
| Dual acceptor. Second run back. First-up after three months got back early 13th of 18 at Randwick in the G3 Sydney Stks on October 19 over 1200m, on a slow track; 7 len behind Overpass carrying 58.5kg at $101. Previously second-up 7th of 16 at Wagga Town Plate on May 2 over 1200m, 2 len behind The Prodigal Son carrying 59.5kg at $8.50. Looks tested on the first up effort. | ||
|
11. Flying Crazy (11)
J: Reece Jones 56kg
T: M, W & J Hawkes |
||
| Resuming after a break of four months. Finished off last preparation seventh of 11 at Randwick in the LR Winter Stk July 6 over 1400m, in the wet; 3.5 len behind Tamerlane carrying 53kg at $16. Previously first up; seventh of 10 at Caulfield in the LR Bel Esprit March 16 over 1200m, 3 len behind Brudenell carrying 57.5kg at $26. Later on. | ||
|
12. I Am Me (5)
J: Zac Lloyd 55.5kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
||
| At the latest run second last of 11 at Randwick in the G1 Everest on October 19 over 1200m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Bella Nipotina with 56.5kg at $13. The start before that raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by a head at Randwick G2 The Shorts September 21 over 1100m defeating Stefi Magnetica carrying 55kg at $2.50. Finds an easier race this time and can bounce back. | ||
| 9. Tamerlane (2) | ||
Data retrieved: 01/11/2024 08:30:33 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
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Race comments
BELLA NIPOTINA (3) courageous mare who was ridden a treat from the outside gate when sitting on the speed for a fighting nose win over 1200m in the G1 The Everest at Randwick last time out. Won this race last year and she should be able to defend her title from the good gate. SUNSHINE IN PARIS (4) snagged back early from the sticky draw and returned good sectionals late when a narrow fifth over 1200m in the G1 The Everest at Randwick. Poorly drawn again but racing like she will appreciate this trip. Good enough to take this out. KING OF SPARTA (2) massive performance first-up from the outside gate when rattling late to finish fourth over 1200m at Randwick in the G3 Sydney Stakes on October 19. Dynamite second-up and has each-way prospects. PRIVATE EYE (1) tough old gelding who won this race in 2022. Kept finding from the awkward gate when a close-up sixth over 1200m at Randwick in the G1 Everest. Winkers go on and can race closer from the inside gate.