Matthew Smith’s German-bred Ilwendo is favourite in 2020 Chairman’s Handicap betting in Brisbane this weekend, one of two Group 3 races taking place at Doomben Racecourse.

Gosford Cup winning mare Another Dollar rises in weight for Saturday’s 2020 Chairman’s Handicap at Doomben. Photo: Steve Hart.

A reduced, COVID-19 impacted Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival continues this Saturday with Fred Best Classic Day and the key support act on the card is the Group 3 $125,000 XXXX Dry Chairman’s Handicap (2000m).

A capacity field of 16 looks set to line-up in the race with the Chris Waller-trained 2019 Sydney Cup winner Shraaoh (58kg) the new top-weight following the early scratching of Dr Drill (58.5kg).

Sitting top of the latest Chairman’s Handicap betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au paying $4.50 for the win, Ilwendo is drawn ideally midfield with Matthew McGillivray to ride on 54kg.

The six-year-old Lando stallion is two-from-three at Doomben and also has good form over the 2000m (5:2-1-0).

He won over 2200m at the track in early April carrying a much heftier 61kg in a Benchmark 80 before his last start second behind Another Dollar at Randwick on May 9 in the Listed Gosford Cup (2000m).

With a nice weight, good draw and back at Doomben Ilwendo certainly shapes up as the horse to beat in the Chairman’s Handicap.

His last start conqueror, Gosford Cup winner Another Dollar is the second elect on Saturday with the Ocean Park mare at Chairman’s Handicap odds of $6.

Drawn the rails with Ryan Maloney to ride from barrier one, five-year-old Another Dollar is out to hand Waller with back-to-back Chairman’s Handicap wins following his success with Le Juge last year.

She has finished out of the money just once in seven starts at Doomben, was eye-catching when a half-length third in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Cup (1500m) and improved when winning the Gosford Cup.

Another Dollar does rise from 54kg to 57kg on Saturday however so will need to be at her best to beat this field with the extra kilos on her back.

The only other hope under $10 for the win is fellow $6 second elect, the John O’Shea-trained Live And Free drawn out wider in gate 14.

Robbie Fradd partners the five-year-old son of Savabeel who is out to atone for his seventh when still only 1.6 lengths off the winner Dr Drill in the Listed Scone Cup (1600m) over the mile a fortnight ago.

Prior to that he was a quarter-length second in the Hawkesbury Cup and he presents fit third-up on the weekend having his first 2000m start since the fourth to Luvaluva at Randwick in the Group 3 Summer Cup last Boxing Day.

Following the single-figure fancies are a host of longer priced value runners in the Chairman’s Handicap this year including the widely-drawn but ultra-consistent Magnufighter ($11) coming off a close fourth in the Listed Wayne Wilson (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast, the Kris Lees-trained last start winner over 2200m Mawaany Machine ($14) and four-year-old Shamus Award mare Etana ($14) for Ciaron Maher & David Eustace.

Click here for the latest Chairman’s Handicap 2020 odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.

2020 Chairman’s Handicap Field & Barriers