Two scratchings from Friday night’s 2020 Alister Clark Stakes field have the hot favourite Adelaide Ace into an odds-on quote to defeat just six rivals under the lights at The Valley.  

Adelaide Ace is odds-on favourite to win the 2020 Alister Clark Stakes at The Valley on Friday night. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

A key lead-up to Sydney’s ATC Derby in April, the Group 2 $200,000 $200,000 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) field is down to just six runners after the withdrawal of #3 Skiddaw (6) and #6 Legion Of Merit (8).

The diminutive field size has seen the Alister Clark Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au firm notably on the now odds-on favourite Adelaide Ace who is into $1.95 to continue his excellent autumn campaign.

The Lindsey Smith-trained Savabeel gelding has finished out of the money in just one of his seven career starts to date including his last start win in the Group 2 Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield on February 22.

Adelaide Ace defeated his closest rival by over a length in the Autumn Classic and looks well positioned to complete the double for the second year in a row following the success of Global Exchange (2019).

Having his first run over further than 1800m, Adelaide Ace should handle the step-up in distance and the Moonee Valley circuit looks to suit his racing pattern where he will be up on the speed from barrier three.

Occupying the second line of Alister Clark Stakes betting is the market mover Nonconformist in from $4 to $3.40 to turn the tables on his last start conqueror.

The Grahame Begg-trained son of Rebel Raider enjoyed back-to-back wins in the summer before rising in grade when runner-up to Adelaide Ace in the Autumn Classic.

He gets the run of the race from the inside alley on Friday night and is sure to give the top elect a run for his money in another close finish.

The sole filly taking on the boys in this year’s Alister Clark Stakes field is Danny O’Brien’s VRC Oaks winning mare Miami Bound at $5 to salute second-up.

The Kiwi-bred daughter of Reliable Man has a 50% winning strike rate and is best known for her powerful 3.25 length victory in the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) last November.

First-up she finished over six lengths back eighth to Adelaide Ace in the Autumn Classic, but she is sure to finish closer getting out over more distance in the Alister Clark Stakes.

Rounding out the hopes under $10 for the win paying $9 is then the Richard Laming-trained Diasonic.

The Reset gelding comes via a different form line having run second at Flemington on March 4 in a Benchmark 70 for three-year-olds over a mile.

During the spring he ran fifth when under a length beaten by Pretty Brazen as a $41 roughie in the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m), so a top three run here wouldn’t surprise.

Click here for the latest Alister Clark Stakes 2020 betting odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.

2020 Alister Clark Stakes Field