Form analyst Ron Dufficy has Vanbrugh on top of his 2015 Spring Champion Stakes tips and he is happy to back the talented colt at his current quote of $1.95 in betting markets for the Group 1 event.
Vanbrugh is currently a dominant favourite in 2015 Spring Champion Stakes betting markets. Photo by: Steve Hart
Vanbrugh was originally rated as a Golden Rose contender by the Chris Waller stable, but he made a disastrous start to his 2015 Spring Racing Carnival and he was beaten as a short-priced favourite on a number of occasions, but he has relished being stepped-up in distance.
The Encosta De Lago colt returned to winning form when he hit the line strongly in the All Too Hard At Vinery Handicap (1600m) at Warwick Farm on September 9 and he stamped himself as a dominant Spring Champion Stakes favourite with his comfortable win in the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill Gardens on September 26.
Dufficy believes that Vanbrugh has improved every time that he has been seen at the races this preparation and he finds it difficult to see the Waller-trained galloper being beaten in the Spring Champion Stakes.
“I can’t get away from him,” Dufficy said on Sky Racing.
“I think that he is clear pick all things being equal and he should win.
“A different tempo is some bit of a concern, but this horse has just gone from strength to strength all preparation and he has put on weight after each run.
“If he walks into the yard looking like he has been then he should monster the opposition here.”
Trainer Luke Price is fairly optimistic about the chances of Man Of Choice in the Gloaming Stakes and Dufficy admits that the promising stayer is the main danger to Vanbrugh in the Group 1 event, while he will include Queensland visitor Too Good To Refuse and Team Hawkes-trained Jadeer in the multiples.
“Man Of Choice was comfortable beaten by him last time, but I have him as the danger from barrier one from Too Good To Refuse,” Dufficy said.
“I do respect Jadeer and he probably is over the odds looking at his form.”
Vanbrugh is currently available at 2015 Spring Champion Stakes odds of $2 and he is a dominant favourite with Ladbrokes from Too Good To Refuse ($$7 into $4.60), the consistent Tatoosh ($6 out to $9.50), Man Of Choice ($12 into $10), Chris Waller-trained Devil Hawk ($18 into $17) and Jadeer ($9 out to $17).
