*2017 Todman Stakes Update: #3 Jukebox is one of a host of scratchings out of the race so take #2 Veranillo from #3 Menari adding #8 Showtime into third
A field of potential runners in this autumn’s Golden Slipper Stakes field will take to the Royal Randwick track on Saturday in the Todman Stakes 2017, betting tips and the latest odds for which are detailed below.
Jukebox is the upset Races.com.au tip to win the 2017 Todman Stakes leading up to the Golden Slipper Stakes this autumn in Sydney. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Set to run as the second on Randwick Guineas Day, the $300,000 Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) line-up is down to 13 runners after the early scratching of #10 Muraaqeb (14) who had the outside alley.
It is a likely wet track at Randwick on Saturday adding an extra challenge to the Todman Stakes where many of the two-year-old colts and geldings in the mix are seeing the 1200m distance for the first time.
The Todman Stakes winner is exempt from ballot for the $3.5 million Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 18 making for a tight market at Ladbrokes.com.au on the set weights sprint.
Current favourite in Todman Stakes betting paying $2.70 and firming is the Gerald Ryan-trained Menari.
The son of Snitzel is also the equal $8 second elect in futures Golden Slipper Stakes odds with Houtzen in markets led by the undefeated She Will Reign.
Menari has had just the two career starts to date for a Randwick win on debut followed by the nice second to subsequent Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes runner-up Pariah in the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes (1100m).
He has trialled since for a 5.5 length 900m winning hit-out on a Heavy (8) track in late February giving more credentials to the colt ahead of the Todman Stakes that will be run under similar track conditions on the weekend.
The dangers in the latest Todman Stakes odds shape-up as Trekking ($7), the fellow Ryan-trained Chauffeur ($8) racing for the first time since his second to Houtzen in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and the consistent John O’Shea-trained Veranillo ($8) coming off a Silver Slipper Stakes second to She Will Reign.
So does Menari have this in the bag as the betting suggests or is there an upset Todman Stakes result pending from the likes of the unbeaten Jukebox ($11) or the rails-drawn Silver Slipper Stakes third placegetter Showtime ($13)?
1st
#3 Jukebox ($11)
Going the upset with the horse we got our money back on after the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes scratching last Saturday. Ciaron Maher’s undefeated Snitzel colt was disallowed a run in last Saturday’s Group 1 in Melbourne, but has reportedly returned to form. He has won both starts so far, Saturday his first Sydney assignment after the Inglis win at Caulfield by two lengths over this distance. Yet to race on anything worse than a Good rated track so the wet is a question, but happy to give a go at the value.
2nd
#2 Veranillo ($8)
Really love the form around the 2017 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite and this Godolphin-raced colt won at Randwick in Black-Type company before a Silver Slipper Stakes second a fortnight back. Handles Randwick, Soft form suggests the wet isn’t an issue and gets a good draw again further adding value to his claims to win this.
3rd
#6 Menari ($2.70)
Deserving favourite off the strong lead-up form and was luckless when second in the Canonbury last time out. Has the winning trial to bring him on fitness wise and will take some beating. Has done little wrong, but there is value if he doesn’t get through the going.
Back our exclusive Ladbrokes’ Todman Stakes 2017 tips online now at Ladbrokes.com.au who are also offering the best early Golden Slipper Stakes odds on the world’s richest race for two-year-olds.
