Horse Racing

A small but classy final field of just six three-year-olds have been accepted for the 2011 Roman Consul Stakes at Randwick this Saturday, early markets on the sprint showdown lead by the John O’Shea-trained Foxwedge.

Foxwedge has opened the 2011 Roman Consul Stakes favourite for Saturday

The top-rated contender for the $175,000 Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) this year, Fastnet Rock colt Foxwedge has drawn to perfection in gate two and has opened at the top of the Randwick Race 3 odds at a quote of $2.30 through Luxbet.

Already a Group 3 winner, Foxwedge will relish in the drop back in class on Saturday having run a game fourth behind the likes of Manawanui and Smart Missile in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) last start on September 10.

They originally crossed the line third in the Rosehill showcase, but were regulated to fourth behind Helmet upon protest.

“The horses that have come out of the Golden Rose have raced well, there’s been a couple of winners out of the race already,” O’Shea said.

“The three weeks between runs has done him the world of good, he’s coming to a peak and is hard fit.”

Back to the 1200 metres, the 2011 Coolmore Stud Stakes-bound Foxwedge races at Randwick for the first time in the Roman Consul Stakes but is being tipped as the horse to beat especially as they reunite with Nash Rawiller.

Rawiller missed the mount on Foxwedge in their past two due to suspension, but will be back in the saddle on Saturday, the duo out for their second win of the season after their first-up success in the San Domenico (1100m) on August 13.

“Nash gets back on and has a good record on him,” O’Shea said.

Every Roman Consul Stakes 2011 acceptor has their claims this Epsom Super Saturday with no contender paying more than $12 in the odds.

Following Foxwedge the next-best fancied at Luxbet is Startreusse at a quote off $4.60.

Drawn one inside the favourite with barrier two, Chris Waller’s well-bred Starcraft colt Startreusse will be second-up for the season following a brave first-up fifth to Ingham Magic over 1200 metres at Rosehill on September 10.

They have the advantage of a run and win at Royal Randwick having beaten home Saturday’s Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes favourite Strike The Stars at the track last June in the wet and makes a nice pick for an upset win.

The other main dangers look to be equal $5 third favourites Masthead, fourth placegetter to Sepoy in the Golden Slipper last season and again first-up in the Danehill Stakes at Flemington last start, and Lionel Cohen’s Golden Rose runner Aeronautical.

Rounding out the 2011 Roman Consul Stakes final field are $12 outsiders Do You Think from the stables of Bart Cummings and Gerald Ryan’s improving Snitzel filly Hollyweird who is the market drifter after originally opening at $9.50.

While the 2011 Spring Champion Stakes is the feature three-year-olds’ race at Randwick this weekend, the Roman Consul Stakes is another must-bet race that has less form to consider.

So visit our preferred online bookie Luxbet now and lock in your Roman Consul Stakes selections at the best price and remember, all new customers that quot the code BONUSBET when making their first deposit will be rewarded with a $400 bonus bet to use this spring!

2011 Roman Consul Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw