2015 Breeders Classic Tips: Plucky Belle The Value

Form analyst Paul Joice has Plucky Belle on top of his 2015 Breeders Classic tips and he believes that the promising mare represents great value at her current quote in betting markets for the Group 2 event at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow.

Plucky Belle is chasing her first race win since she won during the 2013 Melbourne Cup Carnival. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Plucky Belle is chasing her first race win since she won during the 2013 Melbourne Cup Carnival. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Plucky Belle has not recorded a race win since she took out the 2013 edition of the Group 3 Lavazza Short Black (1400m) at Flemington on Crown Oaks Day and she has not been seen at the races since June, but she impressed onlookers with a dominant ten and a half lengths victory in a barrier trial at Royal Randwick on January 15.

Joice told Sky Racing HQ that he could not believe bookmakers offered Breeders Classic odds of as high as $13 for Plucky Belle and he believes that she is still well worth an each-way bet at her current price of $9.

“They put Plucky Belle up at $14 in places and I was absolutely shocked about that because she is mare that last prep just kept having a hard luck story,” Joice said.

“She should have won first-up in the Birthday Card behind Avoid Lightning, she went around in the Sapphire behind Cosmic Endeavour and the same thing happened and then she ran second behind Aerobatics in the Darley Crown – they were the first three runs of her campaign.

“She has barrier one here, she won a trial by ten lengths against Neena Rock and I can’t believe they are offering $10.

“I am backing her each way with a good sized bet and I think she will run a really good race.”

Catkins is the clear favourite in 2015 Breeders Classic betting markets and she has been backed into a quote of $1.90 to take out the Group 2 event for the second year in a row.

The Dubawi mare has not suffered a first-up defeat since she finished second behind stablemate Velrosso in the Hurlstone Park RSL Club (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens in August of 2013 and Joice admits that the talented mare is the clear danger to his Breeders Classic selection.

“The danger is obviously Catkins,” Joice said.

“Under this set weights scale she is beautifully placed, she is the class runner and she has amazing first-up stats.

“She should get a nice run up on the speed.”

Team Hawkes-trained Mihiri ($7.50) and the resuming Neena Rock ($8.50) are the only other mares available at single figure Breeders Classic odds with Ladbrokes Australia.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.