Hill Stakes 2015: Complacent Under The Odds

Complacent is currently available at 2015 Hill Stakes odds of $3.40 and trainer John O’Shea believes that quote is far too short ahead of the Group 2 event at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Complacent is currently a clear favourite in 2015 Hill Stakes betting markets. Photo by: Steve Hart

Complacent is currently a clear favourite in 2015 Hill Stakes betting markets. Photo by: Steve Hart

Complacent returned to racing after a lay-off of almost two years with a 12th place finish in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on August 22 before he led from start to finish to score an upset victory in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on September 5.

O’Shea was very happy with the Chelmsford Stakes performance of Complacent, but he told Racing Ahead that the market has overreacted to the performance and believes that the five-year-old should be available at longer Hill Stakes odds.

“They were asking to take 60 to one, but now they want you to take five to two,” O’Shea said.

“He is third-up off a long break, he is a weight-for-age performer and he has had one run over 2000 metres at Randwick when he won the Spring Champion Stakes, so there are a lot of things to say that he will run well.”

O’Shea also has Magic Hurricane in the 2015 Hill Stakes field and the Godolphin head trainer is happy with the progress that the imported stayer has made this preparation.

Magic Hurricane scored a narrow win over subsequent Kingston Town Stakes winner Silverball in the Listed Premier’s Cup (1800m) at Rosehill Gardens on August 29 and O’Shea is confident that the Hill Stakes will top the son of Hurricane Run off perfectly for the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Royal Randwick on October 3.

“There is good form around him,” O’Shea said.

“The horse that he beat has subsequently come out at a short quote and won at his next start.

“I always thought that he was going to make a weight-for-age horse at some stage in his career and we will get the opportunity to see if that is the case on Saturday.

“Hopefully he will lay a good foundation for The Metropolitan, where he will get a good weight drop.”

Magic Hurricane is currently available at 2015 Hill Stakes odds of $5.50 and he is on the second line of betting with Ladbrokes from Melbourne Cup placegetter Who Shot Thebarman ($8), Chris Waller-trained Beaten Up ($9.50), the improving Junoob ($10) and last start winner Chance To Dance ($13).

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.