To The World is currently available at 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes odds of $3.60 and is now a narrow favourite in betting markets for the Group 1 event at Royal Randwick this afternoon.
Criterion has been the best-backed runner in 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes betting markets. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Contributer was on top of Queen Elizabeth Stakes betting markets since the final field was released on Tuesday, but his scratching and the rain that hit Royal Randwick overnight has led to some major changes in the betting market.
To The World has been backed into Queen Elizabeth Stakes odds of $3.60, but there is still some hesitation by punters due to his unproven form on rain affected going.
Leading Hong Kong-based hoop Zac Purton has been booked to ride Queen Elizabeth Stakes
“I’m not so sure if the track is wet and I think that he prefers it pretty firm,” Purton said earlier in the week.
“That has got me a little bit worried, but if I can get him out and get him going he will be right there.”
The best-backed runner in 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes has been Criterion, who opened at a price of $8, but has now been backed into second favouritism at a price of $3.80.
Criterion has not recorded a race win since he took out the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) on a wet Royal Randwick track last year, but he performed extremely well without winning in both the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Royal Randwick on March 7 and the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 21.
Co-trainer Tom Dabernig believes that Criterion has had an ideal lead-up to the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and he is of the opinion that the Sebring entire is the class horse in the $4 million race.
“He has been set for this race and he has had an ideal preparation,” Dabernig said.
“His two runs this time in have been outstanding and I think out that out to 2000 meters with a bit of give in the ground, he has an excellent chance.
“I know Spillway is a last start Group 1 winner, but I have to stick with Criterion.
“He has had the perfect prep for the race and I think that he is the class horse in the race.”
Adelaide is another horse with a query over his wet track form, but the Cox Plate winner has still be backed into a quote of $6 and is on the third line of betting from the other Japanese hopeful Tosen Stardom, who is into $6.50.
There has been a sprinkling of support for Royal Descent ($17 into $13), Fiveandahalfstar ($81 into $51) and Red Cadeaux ($41 into $26), while Happy Trails ($19 out to $26), Spillway ($19 out to $21) and Lucia Valentina ($13 out to $14) have all been on the drift.
