The Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes-trained Top Echelon gelding Our Boy Malachi has opened clear favourite to win the Starlight Stakes 2014 at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday.
Consistent sprinter Our Boy Malachi is clear favourite to win the 2014 Starlight Stakes this weekend in Sydney. Photo: Daniel Costello.
Due to jump at 5:05pm as Rosehill Race 7, this year’s $100,000 Listed Starlight Stakes (1100m) field is down to 12 sprinters following the early scratching of #13 Holder Sunset.
Of the remaining dozen hopefuls all the early money is on Dwayne Dunn’s mount out wide in barrier 11, Our Boy Malachi.
The six-year-old boasts an ultra-consistent record of 14 wins from 16 starts and has finished out of the money just once before.
That run was also his only previous Black Type start when he ran fifth behind Pure Purrfection in the Listed Bribe Handicap (1100m) at Doomben during the winter when under the preparation of former trainer John O’Sing.
Transferred to Team Hawkes’ care earlier this spring, Our Boy Malachi debuted for his new trainers at Rosehill on November 1 and beat home Zaratone by 1.3 lengths over the same distance he sees when he returns to the track on the weekend.
At Ladbrokes.com.au he sits top of the Starlight Stakes odds at $2.25 despite the wide draw and is joined on single figures by just two other hopefuls.
Occupying the second line of Starlight Stakes betting at $5.50 is the Gerald Ryan-trained Dothraki in gate nine for Blake Shinn.
Carrying 58kg the Mossman gelding is the second heaviest weighted runner but May’s Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas winner was good with 60kg and the same hoop to win over this track and distance on November 15.
The third fancy and last single figure chance is then Shamalia at a current quote of $8.50 to overcome her outside barrier 12 draw.
She carries the 54kg minimum with Timothy Bell to ride, the Bart & James Cummings-rained daughter of Shamardal last seen beating a field of her own kind over 1000m at Moonee Valley under the lights on November 14.
She had 60kg that night however and so should be flying even from out wide looking to cross and lead and hold on with the six kilo drop in weights.
Outside of those under $10 to be this year’s Starlight Stakes winner punters can find value in the likes of David Pfieffer’s mare Cradle Me ($11) coming off a fifth in a Group 3 at Flemington on Crown Oaks Day and the Gary Moore-trained local Straight Gold ($15).
Check out the complete Starlight Stakes 2014 betting odds below, prices open online now at the country’s fastest growing and most trusted online bookie – Ladbrokes.com.au!
