Ratings expert Adam Blencowe has Hallowed Crown on top of his 2014 Golden Rose tips and rates Bring Me The Maid as the major danger to the talented colt in the Group 1 event at Rosehill Gardens this weekend.
Hallowed Crown is the Golden Rose tip of Racing And Sports Senior Handicapper Adam Blencowe. Photo by: Steve Hart
Bring Me The Maid and Hallowed Crown were locked in a battle for Golden Rose Stakes favouritism when the final field was announced earlier this week, but Bring Me The Maid has been extremely well-backed since the barrier draw was conducted on Tuesday and is set to start the race as a clear favourite.
Blencowe told RSN that he expects Bring Me The Maid to improve on her impressive first-up performance in the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on August 23, but believes that Hallowed Crown is the best value runner in the race at his current quote after he stormed home to win the Group 3 Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens a fortnight ago.
“It is a good race and I think that it is a good and competitive Golden Rose,” Blencowe said.
“I think that the barrier has seen Hallowed Crown get out to a very acceptable betting price here.
“Bring Me The Maid was terrific giving weight away first-up and on profile you would expect her to be springboard from that run.
“I have her rated several pounds better than what she did there and that makes her pretty hard to beat.
“I have her top pick, but I couldn’t get her any shorter than the 5/2 that is kicking about.
“I think that Hallowed Crown is a pretty good chance.”
Blencowe said that he has plenty of respect for talented colts Almalad and Better Land, but he revealed that he is happy to risk both runners at their current prices in Golden Rose Stakes betting markets.
The leading form analyst said that the recent form of Kumaon and Scissor Kick must be respected and he feels that the Run To The Rose runner-up and Up And Coming Stakes winner are the best roughies in the $1 million race.
“You have a couple of good chances away from there,” Blencowe said.
“Almalad is probably a bit too short, but Kumaon and Scissor Kick both have solid form in the book and as each-way chances they don’t represent bad value.
“Better Land was obviously very unlucky last time and I don’t think that we have any idea as to how talented he really is.
“I’m happy enough to be with Hallowed Crown.”
Hallowed Crown is available at Golden Rose odds of $5.50, while Bring Me The Maid is a clear favourite at a quote of $3.60 and he continues to be well-backed.
