Horse Racing

This Saturday Allan Scott Park Morphettville will host a bumper race meeting headlined by the $115,000 Group 3 Spring Stakes (1200m).

The 2010 Spring Gully Spring Stakes has attracted an elite field of 10 weight-for-age stars, but is missing last year’s Melbourne Cup favourite Alcopop.

Six-year-old gelding Alcopop was nominated for the Spring Stakes as his first-up start this season, but trainer Jake Stephens has had to withdraw him due to a virus.

Other notable absentees from the Spring Stakes nominations are the four entries from Mark Kavanagh and Peter Moody’s mare Avenue.

With Alcopop out of the action, one of hot favourites in the Sportsbet markets for the Spring Stakes will be Rebel Raider.

The five-year-old Reset galloper had their last start back in March when finishing fifth in the C S Hayes Memorial Cup (1600m) and is heading towards the 2010 Melbourne Cup this November.

Throwing a spanner in the works and giving punters something to consider is the fact Rebel Raider has drawn poorly with the far outside barrier 10.

Still they should have the class to prevail if they get a clear run.

The other highly rated Spring Stakes starter sure to attract plenty of bets when Sportsbet open their markets is Silent Surround.

Drawn ideally in barrier three, the William Smart-trained Face Value mare recently had a strong 1000m trial at the track and looks a great chance.

Silent Surround had a solid spring campaign last year running second to Faint Perfume in the Wakeful Stakes (2000m) and then finishing sixth in the Crown Oaks (2500m).

Other horses with claims in Saturday’s Spring Stakes include consistent veteran Likable Will, the Richard Jolly-trained Lapel drawn on the inside and in-form mare Xaieta.

The early action of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival continues at Caulfield this weekend with the running of two great group features.

Punters can enjoy the lucrative online odds available through Sportsbet on both the Group 2 JJ Liston Stakes (1400m), where spring stars including So You Think and Shoot Out will line up, and the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m).

Meanwhile Sydney’s Rosehill Racecourse are also running the Group 3 Run To The Rose (1300m) where a number of star sprinters on way to the prestigious $1 million Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) will be on display.

For all the best odds on these Caulfield Races and Rosehill Races don’t go to the TAB. If you want the most generous prices and exclusive racing offers sign up at leading online bookmaker Sportsbet today!

2010 Spring Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw