The trainer of interstate raider Regardsmaree says his in-form sprinter is over the odds for Saturday's AU$500,000 Group 1 Goodwood at Morphettville.
Coming off two strong-finishing wins in Victoria, Regardsmaree is around +1700 for the 1200m feature with most betting sites, and trainer Nick Ryan believes punters are shopping well.
“He's been beginning well, but he's drawn one, so he's going to need luck, even though there's good speed,” Ryan said.
“The positives are that he's not going to do any work and he'll be there when the whips are cracking.
“What is he, about 18/1? He's probably over the odds, I would have thought.”
Regardsmaree has opened his latest campaign in career-best form, winning the rich VOBIS Gold Sprint over 1200m at Caulfield first-up, then taking out the Listed Anniversary Vase over 1400m at Sandown on April 30, beating Buffalo River.
Flemington-based Ryan says Saturday's drop back from 1400m to 1200m is ideal.
“It's got to be a positive, doesn't it?” he said.
“He's hard fit and they say to win a Goodwood you need a 1400m horse.
“He's a 1400m horse.”
Ryan took charge of Regardsmaree in late 2020 and is adamant he has never seen the six-year-old in better condition – despite conceding some overdue luck in running has helped this campaign.
“Has he gone to a new level? He sure has,” he said.
“Buffalo River's Group 1-performed, albeit he's beaten him before.
“But I think he's matured a lot this time.
“His last preparation was very luckless, but things have gone right and hopefully he can take another step on Saturday.
“Whether he's up to or not, I don't know, but he's earned his crack.
“He ran in the (Group 1) Rupert Clarke at Caulfield last prep. He got knocked down on the home turn, and nothing went right for him.
“He's done really good since his last start – he's in the best shape he's been in during his entire career with me.”
Jockey Billy Egan is shooting for a hat-trick of wins aboard Regardsmaree, who was also accepted for the Listed Straight Six at Flemington on Saturday, before connections decided to aim higher in Adelaide.
The withdrawal of early favourites In The Boat and September Run has seen promising three-year-old colt Extreme Warrior promoted to +340 favouritism in a typically open Goodwood betting market.
SA trainer David Jolly is hoping it is fourth-time lucky for his giant sprinter Behemoth, who put the writing on the wall last start with a fast-finishing sixth in the DC McKay Stakes over 1100m at Morphettville.
Victory on Saturday would be Behemoth's fourth at the elite level and the first Group 1 success for emerging SA jockey Kayla Crowther, who has worked hard to successfully transition from star apprentice to reliable senior rider.