The field for the Group 2 $250,000 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at The Valley today has been reduced to nine runners with the scratchings of Gallante and Tavago.

He's Our Rokkii, above, will be hard to beat in the Dato' Tan Chin Nam Stakes at The Valley. Photo by Steve Hart.

He’s Our Rokkii, above, will be hard to beat in the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes at The Valley. Photo by Steve Hart.

The withdrawal of the 2016 Sydney Cup winner Gallante and the 2016 Australian Derby winner Tavago has made little impact on the betting with the Lindsay Park trained He’s Our Rokkii remaining at the top of the market order at Ladbrokes.com.au at $3.10.

There is strong competition behind He’s Our Rokkii with five of the remaining eight runners at $10 or better with Star Exhibit at $6, Bonneval at $6.50, Articus and Lizzie L’Amour at $7.50 and Abbey Marie at $10.

Tom Dabernig, who trains in partnership with David and Ben Hayes at Lindsay Park, agrees with the market assessment and thinks He’s Our Rokkii will be very hard to beat from the inside gate with Dwayne Dunn aboard.

“Looks a really nice race for him,” Dabernig said.

“I thought he was terrific first up and he has looked to have come on from that. It would be a great race to win and he is definitely going like he will be hard to beat.”

The Lindsay Park Team had He’s Our Rokkii in fine form twelve months ago and the stable can see him hitting his straps again this weekend.

He’s Our Rokkii started a five race winning streak with two wins during the 2016 Autumn Carnival and then continued that with a hat trick of wins in the Spring, culminating with a victory in the Group 1 $500,000 IG Markets Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield.

The five year old ran a solid first race when fourth to Hartnell in the Group 2 $200,000 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 19.

The Darren Weir trained Star Exhibit and Articus are close to each other in the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes betting and both also have the benefit of one run back from a spell.

Star Exhibit finished ninth in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes while Articus was just out of the minor prizemoney when fifth in a 1500m Open Handicap at The Valley on August 26.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.