First Seal is currently available at 2015 Vinery Stud Stakes odds of $1.95 and is a dominant favourite to return to winning form in the Group 1 event at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
First Seal has the chance to record a second win at Group 1 level in the 2015 Vinery Stud Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart
First Seal suffered the second defeat of her 2015 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign when she finished a close second behind Plucky Belle in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 14 and she will be stepping up to 2000 metres for just the second time in her racing career, but punters remain very confident that she is the horse to beat in the $400,000 event.
Trainer John Thompson told RSN that First Seal had trainer on strongly following her Coolmore Classic defeat and he believes that the daughter of Fastnet Rock is more than deserving of her place on top of 2015 Vinery Stud Stakes betting markets.
“The filly is in in good shape,” Thompson said.
“She didn’t have much luck there the other day from a wide barrier and she is back to her own age at set weights and she has drawn a good gate to get a nice run this time.
“All things point to a good run.”
Chris Waller-trained Winx is yet to record a win at Group 1 level, but she has been well supported and is currently on the second line of Vinery Stud Stakes betting.
Winx made a slow start to her autumn campaign with midfield finishes in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on February 14 and the Group 2 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on February 28, but she was able to return to winning form with a strong win in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m).
The early market mover in 2015 Vinery Stud Stakes betting markets has been Gai Waterhouse-trained Adrift, who was quickly backed from $10 into $9.
Adrift beat First Seal first-up in the Light Fingers Stakes and Waterhouse believes that the three-year-old will be even better suited over the 2000 metres of the Vinery Stud Stakes.
The only other runner that is available at single figure Vinery Stud Stakes odds is Crown Oaks winner Set Square, who has been the big drifter in early betting.
Set Square opened on the second line of betting at a quote of $6, but she is now out to $9 despite promising performances in both The Vanity and the Matron Stakes this preparation.
There has been a sprinkling of support in 2015 Vinery Stud Stakes betting markets for Heavens Above ($51 into $41), while the likes of Amicus ($11 out to $13), Slightly Sweet ($17 out to $26), Sweet And Speedy ($21 out to $34), Ballet Suite ($17 out to $21) and Lady Macan ($61 out to $67) have all been on the drift.
