Our Boy Malachi is currently available at 2016 Expressway Stakes odds of $2.25 and the resuming sprinter is set to start the Group 2 event at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday as a clear favourite.
Our Boy Malachi is set to start the 2016 Expressway Stakes as a clear favourite. Photo by: Steve Hart
Our Boy Malachi suffered a bleeding attack and a bout of colic after he failed to beat home a runner in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) at Doomben on May 23 and he has not been seen at the races since, but that has not stopped punters from taking the short price on offer for the popular galloper.
Generalife is also set to return to the races in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) and he is on the second line of betting at a quote of $3.50.
The Lonhro gelding started his 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with a flat effort behind Terravista in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 3 and he did not have a great deal of luck when he finished fifth in the Group 2 Tab.Com.Au Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 3 before he was sent to the spelling paddock following a second place finish behind Famous Seamus in the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1300m) at Sandown on November 14.
Generalife finished fifth behind Our Boy Malachi and Solicit in a barrier trial at Rosehill Gardens on January 19, but he made up plenty of late ground without being asked for an extra effort by jockey Jamie Innes.
The only other horse that is available at single figure Expressway Stakes odds is talented mare Solicit, who is priced at $6 to make a winning return to the races.
Solicit finished her 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with a dominant four and a half lengths victory in the Group 3 Summoned Stakes (1500m) at Sandown on November 14 and she performed well in the same barrier trial as Our Boy Malachi and Generalife, but trainer Gerald Ryan admits that the 1200 metres may be a touch on the short side.
The only other horse that has received any betting support in the lead-up to the 2016 Expressway Stakes is veteran gelding River Lad.
River Lad took out the 2014 edition of the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm, but he has failed to fire in recent preparations and he was transferred to the care of Kris Lees after he failed to beat home a runner in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at the Gold Coast on April 25.
The Expressway Stakes betting market with Ladbrokes is rounded out by Big Money ($12), King’s Troop ($12), Tiger Tees ($13) and Forget ($51).
