Merchant Navy Tops 2017 H.D.F. McNeil Stakes Field & Odds

Ciaron Maher’s undefeated colt Merchant Navy has opened firm favourite in H.D.F. McNeil Stakes 2017 betting at Caulfield Racecourse this weekend.

Ciaron Maher is pleased with the condition of resuming colt Merchant Navy. Photo: Daniel Costello

The gun son of Fastnet Rock is one of 10 remaining hopes in Saturday’s Group 3 $150,000 H.D.F. McNeil Stakes (1200m) field following the early scratching of Bel Sonic.

Drawn in gate three with Mark Zahra to ride, Merchant Navy races first-up in the three-years-old sprint out to retain his flawless record that stands at three wins from as many starts.

The latest HDF McNeil Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au have the flying local youngster at $2.70, in from $3.10.

Merchant Navy hasn’t disappointed the punters yet, including his one length Flemington win back on April 25 in the Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1400m).

Next-up for this smart horse is the Group 1 $1 million Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) in Sydney, so first-up over 1200m he’ll take some beating.

Occupying the second line of HDF McNeil Stakes betting this spring at $3.40 is Godolphin galloper Trekking, the James Cummings-trained Street Cry colt drawn in barrier two with champion hoop Craig Williams aboard.

Trekking has the fitness edge having had a first-up run in Sydney’s Listed The Rosebud (1100m) on August 12 when third to Menari.

He is yet to race in Melbourne so the opposite way of racing will be the test, but he is a Group 3 placegetter and Group 1 performer making him the obvious danger.

Just one other three-year-old sits under double-figures in the markets with some money for the Leon & Troy Corstens-trained I Am Invincible colt Kobayashi ($9).

This up-and-comer has a top record of two wins from three starts at the Caulfield track and that gives him an advantage over others seeing the course for the first time.

Two back Kobayashi won the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes (1200m) by three lengths before his brave fifth when under two lengths beaten by the winner Jukebox in the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m).

That latest Caulfield run saw him do it tough from the outside alley (12 of 12) and no doubt hoop Ben Thompson will appreciate a better time from gate seven on Saturday.

Of the longer priced hopefuls those with claims include Street Boss filly Ploverset ($10) coming off a Group 3 Quezette Stakes third at the track behind upset winner Crown Witness and her Blue Diamond winning stablemate Catchy, Booker ($10) whose last start in may produced a Group 3 second in Adelaide, and the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Hualalai ($12) who has the 2017 Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas in sight.

Check out the full H.D.F. McNeil Stakes 2017 field, barriers, jockeys and latest Caulfield Race 4 odds below courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.