Scratchy Bottom is now available at 2014 Matriarch Stakes odds of $6 and has been a clear market mover in betting for the Group 2 event at Flemington on Saturday.
Scratchy Bottom has been well-backed to take out the 2014 Matriarch Stakes at Flemington this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Scratchy Bottom opened at a quote of $10 when the Matriarch Stakes field was released on Wednesday, but there has been plenty of support for the promising mare, despite her far from impressive form in two race starts this preparation.
The daughter of Sebring finished her autumn preparation with narrow defeats in both the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on April 26 and the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at the same venue on May 3 before she returned to racing with a mediocre 12th in the Group 2 Blazer Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on October 4.
Scratchy Bottom produced a slightly improved performance in the Group 3 Eliza Park International Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day to finish eighth, but is sure to relish the step-up in trip in the Matriarch Stakes this weekend.
While Scratchy Bottom has been the best-backed runner in Matriarch Stakes betting markets, enigmatic mare Suavito remains favourite to record back-to-back wins at Group level at a quote of $4.20.
Suavito started his spring preparation with a narrow win over Lorna May in the Catanach’s Jewellers Plate (1400m) at Caulfield on August 30 and she was second in the Dalziel Racing Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on September 20 before refusing to leave the barriers in the Group 2 Blazer Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on October 4.
The Thorn Park mare elected to leave the barriers in the Group 3 Ladies Day Vase (1600m) at Caulfield on October 15 and she finished a luckless third behind she returned to winning form with an impressive effort in the Eliza Park International Stakes.
The only other horses that are available at single figures 2014 Matriarch Stakes odds are inconsistent mare Solicit, who is backing up a week after finishing fourth in the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington, and Gai Waterhouse-trained Amanpour ($7.50), who will be returning to Group racing for the first time since she finished 12th in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
There has been a sprinkling of support in Matriarch Stakes betting for Star Fashion ($14 into $11), while Tango’s Daughter ($16 out to $21), Myamira ($14 out to $19), No Excuses Bec ($21 out to $31) and Reckless Assassin ($41 out to $61) have all been on the drift.
