Rock Sturdy has been one of the best-backed runners in 2015 Emirates Stakes betting markets and the talented entire is now into $19 to take out the Group 1 event at Flemington tomorrow.
Rock Sturdy has the chance to record a maiden win at Group 1 level in the 2015 Emirates Stakes at Flemington tomorrow. Photo by: Steve Hart
Rock Sturdy opened at a quote of $41 when the 2015 Emirates Stakes field was released on Wednesday, but there has been consistent support for the five-year-old and he has been a clear market mover.
The son of Fastnet Rock made a slow start to his 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign in the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) at Royal Randwick on September 19 and the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at the same venue on October 3, but he produced an improved performance in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on October 17 before he finished an unlucky second in the Filante Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick on October 24.
Pride has been delighted with the progress that Rock Sturdy has made during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival and he believes that the Group 2 winner is now at peak fitness ahead of the 2015 Emirates Stakes at Flemington.
“He is in really good order,” Pride said.
“We are happy with him and that draw with him is probably in his favour.
“He comes down nicely in the weights and the last time he carried a nice little weight he won a Group 2 race.
“He is a big, strong colt and there is no reason why he can’t carry weight when he gets better, but it is a big plus that he gets the weight drop.
“His best run was excellent and he should have won easily.
“He is in peak condition for this and I am interested to see how he goes over a mile.”
While Pride is happy with the physical condition of Rock Sturdy ahead of the Emirates Stakes, he admits that he would prefer to see a slightly firmer Flemington track than the one that expected to be presented tomorrow following the major storm that hit Melbourne on Crown Oaks Day.
“He is a horse that probably doesn’t want heavy condition and I’m not sure how much drying will go on there today, but I would certainly like to see it better than heavy,” Pride said.
Rock Sturdy is currently available at 2015 Emirates Stakes odds of $19 with Ladbrokes, while Bow Creek ($5) remains a narrow favourite from Magic Artist ($6.50), Turn Me Loose ($8), Lucky Hussler ($8.50), Politeness ($8.50), Disposition ($8.50) and Arod ($13).
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