The 2011 Expressway Stakes final field and barrier draw has been released in anticipation of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival’s opening Group race at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday, February 5.
The $200,000 Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) has drawn a final field of eight acceptors, notable absences being boom sprinter Hay List and David Payne’s Winter King.
Hay List will be saved for the $750,000 Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 19 where a rematch with unbeaten mare Black Caviar is on the cards.
Meanwhile, Payne has opted to run his stakes winner Winter King in the $100,000 Listed JRA Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield on Saturday where they will face off with previous Blue Diamond Stakes winner Reward For Effort.
Clear favourite in the Expressway Stakes betting is star seven-year-old Hot Danish, Les Bridge’s in-form daughter of Nothin’ Leica Dane coming up trumps with barrier one for Saturday as she resumes racing for the season.
Multiple Group 1 winner Hot Danish enjoyed a strong spring with back-to-back Group 2 wins in the Premier Stakes and The Shorts before placing second in the Schweppes Stakes behind Black Caviar and third to Sacred Choice in the Group 1 Myer Classic on Derby Day last start.
After a spell, hot Danish enjoyed an easy two length barrier trial win at Warwick Farm on January 24 and looks in peak fitness to win first-up in the Expressway.
Other Expressway Stakes runners likely to start high up the Luxbet markets on Saturday include promising Mossman four-year-old Love Conquers All who claimed their first Group victory in the Missile Stakes last year, Sue Grill’s Tamworth galloper Border Rebel and the John Thompson-trained Count Encosta.
Reigning George Ryder Stakes champion Danleigh will resume in the 2011 Expressway Stakes
Gai Waterhouse has consistent six-year-old Lorne Dancer drawn well in barrier three due to be ridden by Nash Rawiller in the Expressway and David Payne will still be represented with Centennial Park jumping from barrier four with Corey Brown in the mount.
The 2011 Expressway Stakes is scheduled as Rosehill Race 6 on Saturday.
Races.com.au will be publishing the exclusive Expressway Stakes race tips and betting odds shortly so bookmark us.
In the meantime, if you haven’t already joined premier online bookie Luxbet, take five minutes now to open an account for the best autumn racing odds!
2011 Expressway Stakes Field, Barriers & Weights
| # | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight (kg) | Hcp. Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DANLEIGH | Chris Waller | – | 8 | 58.5 | 116 |
| 2 | LOVE CONQUERS ALL | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Jim Cassidy | 6 | 58.5 | 107 |
| 3 | VISION AND POWER (NZ) | Joseph Pride | Tommy Berry (a) | 7 | 58.5 | 107 |
| 4 | BORDER REBEL | Sue Grills | Timothy Bell (a) | 5 | 58.5 | 106 |
| 5 | LORNE DANCER | Gai Waterhouse | Nash Rawiller | 3 | 58.5 | 105 |
| 6 | CENTENNIAL PARK (NZ) | David Payne | Corey Brown | 4 | 58.5 | 102 |
| 7 | COUNT ENCOSTA | John P Thompson | Brenton Avdulla | 2 | 58.5 | 93 |
| 8 | HOT DANISH | Les Bridge | Tim Clark | 1 | 56.5 | 117 |
Photo courtesy (c) Taron Clarke Photography
