THE Hawkes'-trained Chautauqua is the current favourite for the upcoming Group 1 $400,000 All Aged Stakes at Randwick this Saturday.
The TJ Smith Stakes winner at its latest start, Chautauqua will have one final run before heading to the spelling paddock, and bookmakers are more than happy to install it as the $3 favourite over fierce rivals Terravista ($5.50) and multiple group 1 winner Dissident ($9).
Chautauqua, the star sprinter by Encosta De Lago, last won over 1400 metres at Hawkesbury almost a year ago, but the rise up in distance shouldn't concern the four-year-old.
Bookmakers have the flashy grey as the $3 favourite at Crownbet.com.au, followed by Terravista, which wasn't disgraced in the TJ Smith last time out when third.
The Joseph Pride-trained gelding has won nine from 15 starts including the Group 1 Darley Classic at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup carnival, and it's another which should appreciate the rise in distance.
Also in the market are Dissident and last start winner Lucky Hussler, which bookmakers are treating with respect at $6.50.
The Darren Weir-trained gelding won the Group 1 William Reid at Moonee Valley but many experts are questioning the quality of opposition it faced.
“It is nice to have horses good enough to run in these top races,” Weir said.
“He's [Lucky Hussler] going great and, even though it is a hot race on Saturday, he'll take his chance.”
2015 All Aged Stakes market, barrier draw and odds
1. Chautauqua (1) – $3
2. Dissident (6) – $11
3. Terravista (2) – $5.50
4. Lucky Hussler (13) – $6.50
5. Rebel Dane (8) – $26
6. Famous Seamus (11) – $67
7. Laser Hawk (7) – $34
8. Weary (10) – $67
9. Fontelina (5) – $41
10. Generalife (9) – $26
11. Shooting To Win (3) – $8 at CrownBet.com.au
12. Wandjina (12) – $7.50
13. Scissor Kick (4) – $15
Shooting To Win is the 2014 Group 1 Caulfield Guineas winner, which has yet to win since, but it wasn't disgraced when running fifth behind Real Impact in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes last start at Rosehill.
The three-year-old by Northern Meteor gets in on a nice weight of only 56.5kg, the same weight it carried to winning the Caulfield Guineas.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained colt is ready to win again and represents good each way value at $8 with CrownBet.com.au.
Four-year-old Dissident might be the forgotten runner for Peter Moody. The son of Sebring has won the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes – beating Spillway, Fawkner and Puissance de Lune – as well as the Group 1 C.F.F Orr Stakes two starts back.
It was disappointing when running third in the Futurity at Caulfield but it possesses the ability to win on the big stage and the $11 on offer at Sportsbet.com.au is the best price you will get for Dissident.
Moody said it won't be long before it retires to stud, so get in now and bet on this multiple group 1 winner whilst you can.
Wandjina produces sound track gallop
Group 1-winning colt Wandjina ($7.50 at WilliamHill.com.au) produced a very good gallop at Randwick on Tuesday before taking on the All Aged Stakes this Saturday.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained three-year-old has displayed good trackwork on countless occasions but earned the tag of a hype horse after getting beaten at a short quote of many occasions.
The son of Snitzel put that tag to rest after winning the Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington last start, capping off a run of form which saw it also win the C.S Hayes Stakes over Disposition and Stratum Star.
It worked over 1200 metres at Randwick's course proper, running the distance in 1:21.2 and it did the work comfortably. Wandjina's last 600 metres was covered in 37.7 seconds and its final 200 metres in 11.7 seconds, which was among the quickest times of the morning.
All Aged Stakes projected finishing order
1st – Shooting to Win ($8)
2nd – Chautauqua ($1.40 to place)
3rd – Dissident ($3.50 to place at CrownBet.com.au)
4th – Terravista
5th – Lucky Hussler
6th – Wandjina
7th – Scissor Kick
8th – Generalife
9th – Famous Seamus
10th – Rebel Dane
11th – Fontelina
12th – Laser Hawk
13th – Weary
This looks to be a race in six here with our seventh pick, Scissor Kick, currently paying $15 with most bookmakers.
The well favoured runners should do well but we see value in taking both Shooting To Win and Dissident at each way prices.