Despite drawing the far outside barrier in a capacity Crockett Stakes 2016 field on Cox Plate Day this weekend the Leon & Troy Corstens-trained Sweet Sherry is early favourite to win the Moonee Valley black-type.
The widely-drawn Sweet Sherry is early favourite in 2016 Crockett Stakes betting at Moonee Valley this weekend. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
One of the early stakes races on the big 10-race Cox Plate Day card, this year’s $120,000 Listed Bertocchi Crockett Stakes (1200m) runs as Moonee Valley Race 3 at 1:15pm (AEDT).
A full field of 14 starters plus four emergencies is engaged for the three-year-old fillies’ sprint including the in-form daughter of Bel Esprit Sweet Sherry who will jump from the widest gate.
Steven Arnold retains the ride on the early $5 favourite in Crockett Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.com.au after being aboard for her two runs this time in, both at Moonee Valley.
She won two back before a brave last start third when only one and a quarter lengths off the winner Merriest in the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m) on September 3.
That form is the one to beat according to the bookies who seem unconcerned about the wide draw in the big field for Sweet Sherry.
Hot on her heels in the latest Crockett Stakes odds at $6.50 is the also widely-drawn My Country (barrier 16 into 12 with emergencies out).
Prepared by Peter & Paul Snowden the visiting Sydney-trained Poet’s Voice filly comes off a string of good Melbourne runs this campaign.
The latest saw the stakes’ winner finish a nostril flare off Hear The Chant at Caulfield on October 8 when runner-up in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m).
She has the class to handle this field then and Mark Zahra stays on, and her only other Moonee Valley run was two back in the Group 3 Champagne Stakes (1200m) when sixth but beaten only one and a half lengths.
Occupying the third line of betting is the early Crockett Stakes market mover Modern Wonder ($10 into $7) drawn better in gate seven.
Also prepared by Team Corstens, the Snitzel filly is another Thoroughbred Club Stakes placegetter backing up from a third in that Guineas Day showdown when just a quarter length off the winner.
Four other fillies are also under $10 in an open top half of the market with Prompt Response ($8), Overstep ($8), Hinchinbrook filly Brulee ($9) and the rails-drawn third emergency Angharad ($9.50) who is far from assured of a run.
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott saddle-up Prompt Response who has Kerrin McEvoy booked for the ride.
The Beneteau filly comes off the traditional lead-up out of the MVRC Champagne Stakes (4th) and Thoroughbred Club Stakes (5th), and was narrowly beaten in both.
She could be set to peak third-up and chases her first black-type win at career start number seven.
Sydney’s best Chris Waller has Overstep in the mix on the back of some strong Sydney form including a third to Zenalicious in the Listed Reginald Allen Quality (1400m) from September 24.
The Exceed And Excel filly has been freshened-up since and gets the gun run from barrier two if she can stay out of trouble.
See below for the full Crockett Stakes 2016 field, barriers, jockeys and latest Fixed Win markets provided by Ladbrokes.com.au – home of Enhanced Odds (T&Cs apply) this Cox Plate Day.
