The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Arbeitsam remains the odds on favourite on race morning for today’s Listed $150,000 Aristocrat Technologies Hawkesbury Rowley Mile (1600m) at Hawkesbury.

Arbeitsam, above, is the odds on favourite for the Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury. Photo by Steve Hart.

Arbeitsam, above, is the odds on favourite for the Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury. Photo by Steve Hart.

Bookies at Ladbrokes.com.au haven’t taken any chances with Arbeitsam who is the winner of three of his last four starts and have the four year old marked at $1.60, well ahead of his nearest rival in the betting Pelethronius at $4.60.

Arbeitsam is dropping back to 1600m today in the Rowley Mile after winning over 1800m last start in the $100,000 Premier’s Cup Prelude at Rosehill on August 12 but co-trainer Adrian Bott is not too concerned.

“lt’s not a problem for him. He’s very versatile in that sense,” Bott said.

“He’s got a high cruising speed. He’s got a turn of foot.”

“Varying distances doesn’t have as much of an effect on him.”

“Dropping back to a mile after this race (Premier’s Cup Prelude) wouldn’t be out of the question for him because he’s the type of horse you can do it with.”

Arbeitsam has drawn the outside barrier in the ten horse field but the wide gate shouldn’t pose a problem for the four year old who has plenty of gate speed to help him get out and get going and cross the field in the early stages.

The Snitzel gelding is a natural front runner with his last three wins all being barrier to post performances with today’s jockey Tim Clark holding the reins two starts back for his win in a three year old plate over 1400m at Rosehill.

Second favourite Pelethronius has also been working his way up through the classes with four wins from his last five starts with his winning run coming to an end last time out when sixth to Darci’s Affair in the $80,000 Carlton Draught 2017 Coffs Harbour Gold Cup (1600m) at Coffs Harbour on August 3.

On the third line of betting at $9.50 is the Team Hawkes trained Kingsguard who is a winner twice at Rosehill from last three starts, his latest being over 1400m in the $100,000 Spring Preview on August 12.

Pelethronius has drawn nicely at barrier four for Corey Brown while Kingsguard will jump from gate seven with Jay Ford in the saddle.

2016 Crown Oaks winner Lasqueti Spirit has continued to shorten in the betting and after opening at $51 is now a $21 chance on race morning.

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.