A trio of Group 3 races will take place around Australia this Saturday kicking off the early spring lead-ups including the 2013 Spring Stakes in Adelaide, the Races.com.au crew’s betting tips for which are listed below.
Happy Trails (centre) is the Races.com.au tip to win the 2013 Spring Stakes. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia.
Set to run as Morphettville Race 7 at 3:50pm (local time) the field for this year’s $115,000 Group 3 Adelaide Galvanising Spring Stakes (1200m) has already had two casualties.
Both the Mick Price-trained Draw Forward as well as Darren Weir’s in-form Broken have been scratched from the race.
That leaves a line-up of just nine hopefuls, the clear favourite of which is the reigning champ Happy Trails.
Paul Beshara’s star galloper won the Spring Stakes first-up last year and will be out to do the same this weekend sitting top of the markets at a current quote of $2.80.
Group 1 winner of the Emirates Stakes in Melbourne last spring Happy Trails is looking for more elite level glory in Victoria later in the season but connections are keen to score this minor prize when they resume at home before the interstate trip.
There are then three other Spring Stakes runners under $10 in the markets with Blamey Stakes – Victoria Handicap double winner from the autumn Budriguez and the local youngster Gamblin’ Guru having just their third start occupying the second line of betting at $5, with Meliora then at $6.50.
So should you be locking these horses into your Spring Stakes bets? Or is there value to be found elsewhere from a horse at juicier odds such as Just Discreet ($10) on the rails with barrier one?
1st: #1 Happy Trails ($2.80)
Won it last year and are deserving favourite to do it again in 2013. A Group 1 winner in Melbourne from just last November over the mile, but 1200m first-up is going to suit. Have a wider barrier but in this small field hardly matters. Locally-trained so plenty of experience at Morphettville and has class. Runs well fresh, fairly easy field to account for, plenty to like.
2nd: #11 Gamblin’ Guru ($5)
Plenty of upside to this lightly-raced local three-year-old from the stables of Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas. Were ultra-impressive over the 1100m here on debut back in February when a 2.5 length winner over a field of fellow juveniles. Stepped up to Group 2 company at just their second start going to the 1400m at Flemington for a shot at the VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes. Ran fifth with less than three lengths between them and the winner before being turned out for a break. Would say they’ve matured and strengthened up over that break and first-up over the 1200m at home could surprise.
3rd: #6 Just Discreet ($10)
Yes Budriguez is classy but think the distance will find them out whereas the local Phillip Stokes-trained Exceed And Excel mare Just Discreet has genuine form over the sprint distances. First-up in the autumn she won the Listed Matrice Stakes (1300m) at Parks before her brave eighth when 3.5 lengths off Platelet in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) here. Plenty of experience over this track and distance, lots of it in black type company, wouldn’t rule out.
Like the sound of our Spring Stakes tips and want to lock them in now at the best prices? Then head over to the country’s leading online bookie bookmaker.com.au and place your bets with confidence knowing they are 100 percent Australian owned and operated.
*All odds quoted are Fixed Win from bookmaker.com.au and subject to change
