Update: Rhythm To Spare has been backed into 2014 Emirates Stakes odds of $13 and he has been a clear market mover to record a maiden win at Group 1 level tomorrow.
Rhythm To Spare has been the best-backed runner in 2014 Emirates Stakes betting markets. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Rhythm To Spare opened at a quote of $26 when the Emirates Stakes field was released this morning and he was quickly backed into $17, but there has been even more support for the talented gelding in the last 24 hours and he is now into a quote of $13.
The Pins gelding returned to racing with a fifth place finish in the Listed The Sofitel (1400m) at Flemington on September 13 and was not overly impressive in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 28, but was arguably the run of the race in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on October 11 and he may have been able to take out the race if he was not blocked for a run in the final stages of the race.
There has also been a sprinkling of support for Leebaz ($10 into $8), Smokin’ Joey ($41 into $26) and Desert Jeuney ($34 into $26), while Lucky Hussler ($6 out to $7), Hucklebuck ($6.50 out to $8.5) and Honorius ($51 out to $61) have all been on the drift.
Godolphin import Contributer is available at 2014 Emirates Stakes odds of $5 and is currently favourite to record a maiden win at Group 1 level in the $1 million race at Flemington on Saturday.
Contributer made his Australian racing debut with an impressive win in the 2014 David Jones Cup. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Contributer opened at $6 when the Emirates Stakes field was released earlier in the week, but there was plenty of support for the High Chaparral entire in early betting and he has been a clear market mover.
The talented entire was previously prepared by Ed Dunlop in the United Kingdom before he was purchased by Godolphin and he made his Australian racing debut with an impressive victory in the Group 3 David Jones Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on October 18.
Lucky Hussler is on the second line of 2014 Emirates Stakes betting markets at a quote of $6 and he is also taking winning form into the Group 1 event after he took out the Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on October 18.
The Husson gelding joined the Darren Weir stable after previously being prepared by Kent Fleming in Queensland he is yet to produce a poor performance in his four race starts for his new form; with the five-year-old finishing third in the Listed Drummond Golf Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on September 6 and second behind Trust In A Gust in the Le Pine Funerals Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on September 20.
Another horse in the 2014 Emirates Stakes field that is taking winning form into the race is John Thompson-trained Hooked, who is currently available at a quote of $7.50.
Hooked won the Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle on September 17 and finished a luckless third in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick on October 4 before he returned to winning form with an outstanding performance in the Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley on October 25.
Bull Point is also available at Emirates Stakes odds of $7.50 and connections are desperately hoping that he can enhance his value as a stallion prospect by recording as maiden win at Group 1 level this weekend.
The Fastnet Rock entire is yet to record a race win this preparation, but he has finished in the placings in the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m), Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1400m), Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) and Crystal Mile.
Hucklebuck will run for the second time in seven days after he took out the Group 3 Yellowglen Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on November 1 and he is currently available at Emirates Stakes odds of $8.50, while Team Hawkes-trained Leebaz ($9.50) is the only other horse in the field that is available at a single figure quote.
There has been a sprinkling of support for Smokin’ Joey ($41 into $26), Desert Jeuney ($34 into $26) and Rhythm To Spare ($26 into $17) in the 2014 Emirates Stakes betting market with Ladbrokes, while The Cleaner ($9 out to $13) and Honorius ($51 out to $61) have all been on the drift.
