Morton’s Fork heads the Ladbrokes Sandown Guineas Betting

The John O’Shea trained Morton’s Fork has been installed the early favourite for the Group 2 $250,000 Ladbrokes Sandown Guineas (1600m) at Sandown on Saturday.

Morton's Fork, above, is the favourite for the Ladbrokes Sandown Guineas at Sandown. Photo by Steve Hart.

Morton’s Fork, above, is the favourite for the Ladbrokes Sandown Guineas at Sandown. Photo by Steve Hart.

Morton’s Fork has been around the mark with a win and a second from his last three starts and Ladbrokes.com.au have him as the top pick at $2 for the Sandown Guineas when the final field was released today.

Craig Williams takes the ride on Morton’s Fork who has drawn barrier five in the nine horse Sandown Guineas field and the Ad Valorem colt is coming off a last start second to Comin’ Through in the Group 3 $200,000 The Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on October 29 and O’Shea expects another bold showing.

“He was a bit unlucky at Caulfield and then ran very well at Flemington last time out,” O’Shea said.

“That was a very strong version of the Carbine Club, one of the best for a few years, so if he can run up to that run he should perform well here.”

Morton’s Fork kicked off his Spring Carnival campaign with a win in a 1300m BenchMark 74 Handicap at Rosehill on September 28 before running fifth to Peacock in the Listed $120,000 Polytrack Gothic Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on October 15.

Darren Weir’s in-form filly Jennifer Lynn is on the second line of betting at $4 and gets her chance in tougher company after completing a hat trick of wins with her victory in the Listed $150,000 Lexus Hybrid Plate (1400m) at Flemington on November 1.

Dean Yendall takes over from Blake Shinn in the Ladbrokes Sandown Guineas and the High Chaparral filly who will jump from barrier four.

Next in the betting at $7.50 is the Matthew Smith trained Faraway Town who is coming off a last start ninth in the Lexus Hybrid Plate which followed a third to Spright in the Listed $150,000 Ainsworth Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on October 15.

The Gordon Richards trained Benz with Dwayne Dunn in the saddle is next in the Sandown Guineas market order at $8.50 just ahead of the undefeated Ruthven at $9.

Benz has drawn barrier six while Luke Nolen will stick with the Ciaron Maher trained Ruthven after partnering the Domesday colt to wins in a 1300m Bendigo Maiden on September 29 and in a 1400m BenchMark 64 Handicap at Geelong on October 19.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.