The last of the Group 1 races in Sydney runs at Randwick Racecourse this Saturday with the three-year-olds facing off in the 2013 Spring Champion Stakes– betting tips and selections from the Races.com.au team for which are found below.
Savvy Nature (outside)is the Races.com.au tip to win the 2013 Spring Champion Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart.
This year’s $400,000 Group 1 Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) has attracted a final field of 14 gallopers set to face off in Randwick Race 6 at 4:02pm (AEST).
Spring Champion Stakes betting is led by early 2013 Victoria Derby favourite Savvy Nature paying $3.50 to win their second race in three starts.
Two back the John O’Shea-trained Savabeel gelding enjoyed a good one and a half length victory in the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle.
Stepping up to the 1800m for the first time they lost few admirers when their mast was lowered by Complacent in the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) on September 28, Savvy Nature defeated only a long neck after jumping from gate 12 of 12.
This weekend the Gloaming runner-up gets the chance to turn the tables drawn in gate eight with veteran hoop Jim Cassidy vying for his 100th Group 1 win in the saddle.
At $4.80, Peter Snowden’s Gloaming winner Complacent is then the biggest danger to the favourite as they look for another upset over Savvy Nature here.
Set to get a gun run from the rails the lightly-raced Authorzied colt is after their third on the trot and is also heading towards the $1 million Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 2.
The other single-figure Spring Champion Stakes fancies to watch are then Dulcify Quality winner Rock Hero ($5.50) also vying for consecutive win number three and the Anthony Cummings-trained Drago ($7.50) who will be fitted with blinkers to help them race up on the pace better.
But should you only look at those under $10 in the markets when placing your Spring Champion Stakes bets this year?
Or are you better served looking further down the odds for value from a three-year-old with genuine claims such as the Gai Waterhouse-trained improver Equator ($13), Lucky Owners colt Thunder Fantasy ($15) or John Thompson’s consistent colt Hooked ($21) who has run fourth in their past three starts against these same horses?
1st
#4 Savvy Nature ($3.50)
They’re the firming favourite and with good reason so we’re staying on. Yet to finish out of the money or run a bad race. Handled a class rise with ease when going to stakes company for the first time to win a Group 3 at Newcastle over a mile. Brave second in first look at 1800m then in the Gloaming Stakes which has been a solid form race for the Spring Champion over the years. Bad gate beat them that day and think they’ll be able to turn the tables here. Is drawn midfield this time with space to get a gun run and hand Cassidy the century of elite level trophies.
2nd
#8 Rock Hero ($5.50)
Plenty working in this David Payne-trained Fastnet Rock colt’s favour. Have won their last two on the trot, most recently defeating Liberty’s Choice (who was all runner-up to them two back over 1550m at Canterbury) to take out the Listed Dulcify over the Randwick mile. That was only last Saturday so on the short back-up but think they are ready to strike hot. Only had a half head to spare last week but think that wasn’t an indication of how commanding the victory actually was (overcame bad start and blocked run on the straight).
3rd
#9 Equator ($13)
The big improver here we are tipping, but are another one that needs to handle the seven day turnaround. Third in the Dulcify was very good and the 2000m should see them right in the mix. At the end of their juvenile campaign they were third behind Guleph in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) and that filly is flying – Group 1 Flight Stakes win last start heading into the Thousand Guineas. Equator was first-up ninth but that was over 1200m and were more competitive last weekend when back up to the mile.
Whatever three-year-old you’re on for the Spring Champion Stakes, lock them in at the hottest prices online at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Ladbrokes.com.au should also be your go-to bookie for the Caulfield Guineas in Melbourne this weekend as they are offering Double The Odds on the other Group 1 for three-year-olds this Saturday!
*All odds quoted are Fixed Win from Ladbrokes.com.au and subject to change
