Contributer has drifted out to 2015 Ranvet Stakes odds of $2.50, but Godolphin Racing Manager Jason Walsh remains confident that the talented import can record a second straight win at Group 1 level at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow.
Contributer has the chance to record a second straight win at Group 1 level in the 2015 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow. Photo by: Steve Hart
Contributer started his 2015 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign with a most impressive victory in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on February 14 and he delivered trainer John O’Shea a maiden win at Group 1 level for the Godolphin operation in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm on February 28.
Jockey James McDonald elected to ride Contributer closer to the speed in the Chipping Norton Stakes because he was worried about the tempo of the race and Walsh told Racing Ahead that may have dulled the turn-of-foot of the High Chaparral entire, but the Godolphin Racing Manager believes that the five-year-old will be able to settle closer to the tail of the field in the Ranvet Stakes and will be suited by the step-up to 2000 metres.
“It is a small, but very select field again and has many of the horses that he has been meeting,” Walsh said.
“He has well established form at a mile and a quarter, so that holds no concerns for us.
“We are very pleased with him, he has a wonderful preparation and hopefully he can add another Group 1 there tomorrow.
“We were quite open in saying that we thought we had to ride him a bit closer in the Chipping Norton and probably a little bit out of his comfort zone, which may have just dulled the turn-of-foot that he has shown in his few starts down here.
“That draw should allow him to pull to the middle of the track and it might be a little bit tricky in terms of tempo in the small field, but he is a high quality colt and we are really excited about stepping him out.”
Contributer will be Godolphin’s first runner in the Ranvet Stakes since Purple finished 11th behind Theseo in the 2010 edition of the race.
Contributer remains on top of 2015 Ranvet Stakes betting market at a quote of $2.50 and is a clear favourite from Epsom Handicap winner He’s Your Man ($4.80), Japanese galloper Tosen Stardom ($4.80), last year’s winner Silent Achiever ($5.50), two-time Group 1 winner Lucia Valentina ($6.50), Hong Kong Vase winner Dominant ($21) and extreme outsider Fast Dragon ($81).
