Dunedin Gold Cup and Guineas hard to call
TWO of the four feature races on Otago’s biggest day of racing appear wide open, if early markets are anything to go by.
Bookmakers opened fixedodds markets for the feature events at Saturday’s Champions Day at Wingatui after fields were finalised yesterday.
Who Dares Wins was made the shortpriced favourite for the group 3 White Robe Lodge WeightForAge at $2.20 odds.
Riccarton sprinter Morweka was made a similarly warm favourite for the open 1200m sprint at $2.30 win odds.
The listed Dunedin Gold Cup and listed Dunedin Guineas appear much trickier races for punters to negotiate.
Tapanui Cup winner Kilowatt and Riccarton mare Zentessa were made the $4.80 cofavourites for the Dunedin Gold Cup.
Gore Guineas placegetter Bronte Beach headed the market for the Dunedin Guineas at a $4 win price.
Bookmakers made the 3yrold a loose favourite for the 1500m feature, despite her not having to contend with the two horses that beat her home in the first leg of the Southern Guineas Triple Crown.
Gore Guineas winner Lightning Jack and runnerup Live Drama have bypassed Saturday’s race, setting up a clash between Bronte Beach and fourth and fifth placegetters Tears Of An Angel and Sanctify at Wingatui.
Bronte Beach’s big effort for third in the Gore Guineas, where she made up a big chunk of ground after beginning slowly, put a frustrating run behind her.
Trainer Stephen Marsh and his team had battled to get the Reliable Man filly back to her best after she was struck down by a virus early in the spring.
“It was just good to have her back in form; she just wasn’t herself the whole spring campaign,” Marsh stable foreman Rhys Mildon said.
“She had a virus after her Canterbury Belle Stakes run. We thought we had her right and there were no signs of anything lingering, but her runs were below par after that.
“But fresh up, she was back to her best and she showed the turn of foot she wasn’t showing in the spring.
“She was screaming out for more ground at Gore, so 1500m and beyond is ideal for her.
“We think she is going to get better the further she goes.”
The Marsh stable is also starting Charlie Awesome in the Dunedin Guineas.
The 3yrold was beaten by just over two lengths in the Gore Guineas when rider Akshay Balloo rode him into sixth place.
“We were rapt with him; he rode him good,” Mildon said.
“We didn’t want him trapped wide and having a hard run because he is only a little fellow and it was a big trip.
“He rode him patiently and he hit the line well.
“He will definitely love the extra distance this Saturday. The further he goes, the better he will get.”
Dunedin Guineas field.— Charlie Awesome, El Gladiador, Panzer, Poniard, Feel The Rush, All About Magic, Bronte Beach, Hot Tap, Kitty Power, Tears Of An Angel, Blackbook, Sanctify, Ginny, Top Ghia, Buck Shellfish (E1).