Three smart gallopers are currently batting for top spot in the 2013 Golden Pendant odds ahead of the fillies and mares feature running at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday afternoon.
Driefontein is narrow favourite for Saturday's Golden Pendant 2013. Photo: Steve Hart.
There were 10 final acceptors for this year’s $250,000 Group 3 Golden Pendant (1400m) which serves as an excellent lead-up to bigger races in both Sydney and Melbourne over the spring including the $500,000 Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington in November.
Reigning Myer Classic winner Appearance, a triple Group 1 winner prepared by Guy Walter, is one of five single-figure fancies for the Golden Pendant at a quote of $7.
She is topped in the markets however by three other hopefuls, the current favourite of which is Driefontein paying $4.
Drawn nicely in gate two with Tommy Berry to ride, the Fastnet Rock mare made a nice return to form first-up a fortnight ago at the track when beating home Peron in the Group 3 Sheraco Stakes (1200m).
With an outstanding second-up record the Gai Waterhouse-trained Driefontein is tipped to continue the good form with another Rosehill win this weekend.
Hot on her heels in Golden Pendant betting are then Chris Waller’s returning Group 1 champ Red Tracer ($4.20) and the rails-drawn Bennetta ($4.40).
Waller considered racing his last start Tattersall’s Tiara winner Red Tracer first-up in one of Melbourne’s Group 1’s running this AFL Grand Final weekend, however he’s opted for the soft option against her own sex in Group 3 class.
Out in the far barrier 10 of 10 the Dane Shadow six-year-old has awesome form at Rosehill including her most recent run here when second to Appearance in the Group 1 Queen of the Turf Stakes (1500m) back in early April.
As for Bennetta she’ll get the run of the race from her gate with Graeme Begg’s General Nediym four-year-old also coming via the Sheraco when a first-up fourth.
With Appearance carrying the 59.kg topweight and coming off a below par ninth in the Sheraco she’s just outside of the top trio.
Walter however is confident his mare can bounce back as there were excuses for her Sheraco disappointment.
“It was only fair but she did get back in a race where they ran home a quick last 600 and it was hard to make ground,” he was quoted by AAP as saying this week.
“I’m prepared to forgive her.
“I’m confident that when she gets to her right distance she will be competitive.”
Rounding out the single figure chances for Saturday is then the Anthony Cummings-trained five-year-old Arctic Flight in barrier three paying $9.50.
Third in the Sheraco, Arctic Flight enjoyed a stakes win at Scone back in May before finishing third to Red Tracer in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1400m) in Brisbane.
She failed to handle the same track (Eagle Farm) and distance however when ending her prep with a Tattersall’s Tiara 14th.
See below for the current fixed win Golden Pendant 2013 odds, prices open online at Ladbrokes.com.au where you’ll bet the right price on every horse in every race every day.
2013 Golden Pendant Odds
Rosehll Race 5 – 3:30pm (AEST) – 28/09/2013
| # | Horse (Barrier) | Odds* |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | APPEARANCE (5) | 7.00 |
| 2 | RED TRACER (10) | 4.20 |
| 3 | BENNETTA (1) | 4.40 |
| 4 | DRIEFONTEIN (2) | 4.00 |
| 5 | CAMEO (6) | 18.00 |
| 6 | ARCTIC FLIGHT (3) | 9.50 |
| 7 | EXPRESS POWER (8) | 13.00 |
| 8 | SHARNEE ROSE (7) | 19.00 |
| 9 | SOAPY STAR (9) | 19.00 |
| 10 | GRAND DAUGHTER (4) | 51.00 |
*Fixed Win odds provided by Ladbrokes.com.au and subject to change
