Baligari has been backed into 2015 Ipswich Cup odds of $5 and the consistent stayer is now equal favourite to take out the Listed event at Ipswich this weekend.
Ric McMahon has been booked to ride Baligari in the Ipswich Cup this weekend. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Baligari started his autumn with a credible seventh place finish in the Schweppes Handicap (1200m) at Morphettville on April 11 and he produced a very tough effort when third behind Dylanson in the Listed City Of Adelaide Handicap (1400m) at Morphettville Parks on April 25.
The Purrealist gelding made his Queensland racing debut with a fair effort behind Bewhatyouwannabe in the Listed Members’ Handicap (1600m) at Doomben on May 9 before he was only narrowly denied by Faust in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2020m) at the same venue on May 23.
Baligari opened at a quote of $7 when the 2015 Ipswich Cup field was released on Wednesday, but he has been the clear market mover in betting markets for the Listed race and he now looks likely to start as favourite.
Chris Waller-trained Danchai remains on top of Ipswich Cup betting markets along with Baligari, but he has drifted from his starting quote of $4.80 out to $5 in the past 24 hours.
Danchai is still yet to record a race win since arriving in Australia, but he produced an improved performance when third in the Eremein Handicap (1800m) at Rosehill Gardens on May 30 and Waller is confident that the Authorized gelding will finally record a breakthrough win in the Ipswich Cup this weekend.
“He has a good draw around that tight track and he ran a lot better the other day,” Waller said.
“It is a weak race and he has a great chance.”
Another horse that is taking solid form into the Ipswich Cup is Andrew Williamson-trained Darci Be Good, who has been backed into $5.50 after drifting out to $6 yesterday afternoon.
The six-year-old took out the Coastline BMW Handicap (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast on May 3 and he went on to finish third in the Summerveld Racing Stables (1800m) at the same venue on May 16 before he was only narrowly denied by Frespanol in the Listed Spear Chief Quality (1630m) at Doomben on May 30.
The only other horse available at single figure Ipswich Cup Odds is Volkhere, who is contesting the race for the second year in a row after he finished 11th behind Brave Ali 12 months ago.
There has been a sprinkling of support in the 2015 Ipswich Cup betting market with Ladbrokes for No Tricks ($14 into $12) and Shotover River ($13 into $12), while Vodnik ($14 out to $15) and Bachelor Zeel ($61 out to $81) have all been on the drift.
