A good barrier draw for Unpretentious in the $500,000 The Tapestry Wines Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday gives the five year old an excellent chance to win his maiden Group 1 race.
Unpretentious has good chance to win maiden Group 1 in The Goodwood. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
The Nikki Burke trained Unpretentious drew barrier six in the twenty horse field plus two emergencies and is certain to be given the perfect run just behind the speed by three time Melbourne Cup winner Damien Oliver.
Burke has reported on twitter that Unpretentious is in top condition and ready to take on the capacity field of top class sprinters.
“Pretty happy with 6, he is spot on & I’m looking forward to getting him there,” Burke tweeted.
The Cranbourne trainer has freshened up Unpretentious after finishing a close third behind Spirit Of Boom and Fontelina in the Group 1 $400,000 Hacer Group William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on March 21.
The Stratum five year old has already had four attempts at the highest level with his last start third his best effort to date although his run in the Group 1 $500,000 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington on February 15 was a good effort to finish a tidy fifth behind Snitzerland.
The Goodwood has turned into a very open betting race with Victorian speedster Sistine Demon and the Gai Waterhouse trained Driefontein sharing favouritism at $7 with Ladbrokes.com.au.
The Andrew Noblet trained Sistine Demon is stepping up to Group 1 level for the first time after winning seven of his last eight starts, including a last start win in the Group 3 $150,000 Race-Tech Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on April 19.
While Driefontein is aiming up for a Morphettville hat trick of wins and a Group 1 double after wins in the Group 3 $115,000 R N Irwin Stakes (1100m) on April 12 and the Group 1 $400,000 Sportingbet Classic (1200m) on April 26.
Local sprinting favourite Miracles Of Life and last year’s Goodwood winner Platelet are also in hot contention at $7.50 each.
The Daniel Clarken trained Miracles Of Life was back in the winner’s stall last start, taking out the Group 2 $250,000 Sportingbet Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on May 3, her first victory since winning the 2013 Group 1 $1m Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
The John O’Shea trained Sessions and Gregers from the David Hayes stable are next in the betting at $10 while Unpretentious is a $12 chance alongside of last start Group 3 D C McKay Stakes winner Essay Raider.
Ladbrokes.com.au offers the best odds for the Goodwood and if you are an existing customer or open a new account, you can also sign up for the Ladbrokes Card which will enable you to access your winnings instantly at any ATM and via EFTPOS.
