The Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes odds of Star Rolling have drifted in the past 24 hours, but the talented gelding remains favourite to record his second win of his 2014 Spring Racing Carnival campaign in the Group 2 event.
Star Rolling started his spring campaign with a tough win in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield on August 16. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Star Rolling opened as a clear favourite in Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes betting markets at a quote of $4, but his odds have lengthened this morning and is now out to odds of $4.40 as support has come for The Cleaner.
Co-trainer Peter Morgan admits that he is concerned about the threat posed by the quick early tempo of The Cleaner in the Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m), but he is happy with the condition of the Casino Prince gelding and told Sky Racing HQ that he has taken plenty of benefit out of his first-up win in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 16.
“He wasn’t quiet wound up for Caulfield and we thought that we would get an easier run from the barrier,” Morgan said.
“He was wide going around the turn and to win like he did was really a top run.
“He will be a lot fitter on Saturday for sure.
“I’m am not sure where we want to be, The Cleaner goes out pretty hard and I’m not sure if we really want to take the field up to him, so I am not sure what we are going to do.
“We are going to just look at the pattern of racing before his race and just work it out as the time comes.”
The Cleaner has been easily the best backed runner in the 2014 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes betting market and he is into a quote of $5 after opening at $6.50, while Foreteller ($6.50), Lidari ($7.50), Pakal ($8.50) and Foundry ($9.50) have all been easy in the market.
There has been a sprinkling of support for Melbourne Cup favourite The Offer and he is into odds of $11 and there has also been money for last start winner Mourinho ($15) and imported galloper Gris Caro ($21).
Imported stayer Crackerjack King is the extreme outsider of the field at Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes odds of $61, but trainer David Hayes is confident that he will perform better than that price suggests.
The Shamardal entire finished at the tail of the field in the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on August 9, his first race start in almost two years, but Hayes has been happy with his work heading into the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes this weekend.
“I think that the market has got him wrong,” Hayes said.
“He has had two trials and we have given him a few race days experiences.
“He just hyperventilated first-up and got overheated, but his trackwork has been excellent.
“He wouldn’t be the roughest, but he won’t really peak until his third or fourth run coming back from such a long layoff.”
The 2013 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes was won in thrilling fashion by Fiorente and he went on to win the Melbourne Cup at the end of his spring preparation.
