Fawkner has been backed into 2015 Makybe Diva Stakes odds of $5 and is set to challenge Boban for favouritism in the lead-up to the Group 1 event at Flemington this afternoon.
Alpine Eagle has been one of the best-backed runners in the 2015 Makybe Diva Stakes field. Photo by: Jenny Barnes
Fawkner opened at a quote of $8 when the 2015 Makybe Diva Stakes field was released earlier in the week, but there has been consistent support for the Reset gelding and he is now a clear second pick.
The eight-year-old has not been seen at the races since he finished tenth behind Protectionist in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 4, but co-owner Nick Williams is confident that his star galloper is fit enough to win the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).
“He is fantastic,” Williams told Racing Ahead.
“We couldn’t be happier with the horse.
“His grand final is still a couple of months away, but in terms of the condition he needs to be for this race he could not be in any better condition.
“I can’t tell you if he is going to win or not, but he will run really well.”
Another galloper that has been well supported in Makybe Diva Stakes betting markets is Alpine Eagle, who is currently on the third line of betting at a quote of $6.
Alpine Eagle is yet to record a win at the highest level of racing, but he finished second behind Wandjina in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) over the same track and distance of the Makybe Diva Stakes in the autumn.
Boban has drifted out to Makybe Diva Stakes odds of $4.60, but he remains a narrow favourite in the betting market with Ladbrokes.
The Bernardini gelding looked as though he had lost his way completely when he failed to fire in three runs during the 2015 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, but he returned to his best form with a fast-finishing victory in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) at Doomben on May 23 and he started his spring campaign with a strong win in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m).
There has been a sprinkling of support for Rising Romance ($12 out to $11) and Gust Of Wind ($61 into $41) in the Makybe Diva Stakes betting market with Ladbrokes, while Dandino ($81 out to $126), Weary ($10 out to $12), Entirely Platinum ($12 out to $13), Mongolian Khan ($16 out to $21), Hi World ($11 out to $13) and Awesome Rock ($26 into $31) have all been on the drift.
