Lindsay Park’s Doncaster Mile bound veteran Dibayani heads the 2017 Ajax Stakes betting markets for his Coolmore Classic Day run this Saturday at Rosehill Gardens.
Chris Waller import Arod is one of the 2017 Doncaster Mile entries facing off in the Ajax Stakes at Rosehill Gardens this weekend. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
A final field of a dozen middle distance gallopers are set to face off in the $200,000 Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) this weekend, many heading towards an April 1 run at Randwick in the lucrative $3 million Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m).
Famed Lindsay Park head trainer David Hayes is yet to prepare a Doncaster Mile winner, but has imported Shamardal seven-year-old Dibayani heading towards ‘The Championships’ feature via the Ajax Stakes this season.
A winner of just two of his 27 career starts to date, Dibayani is rated to add to that record heading the Ajax Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au.
He pays $4.80 for the win after drawing barrier two, Blake Shinn aboard looking to help the consistent gelding break his maiden status down under.
Dibayani has winning form up to 2200m and comes off a credible fourth behind runaway winner Winx in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) from February 13.
Currently Dibayani sits as a $26 shot in pre-field Doncaster Mile odds, a price sure to firm if he can win the Ajax Stakes for the early punters on Saturday.
Close second favourite in Ajax Stakes betting at $5 is the Chris Waller-trained Arod drawn out in barrier 11.
The French import is a six-year-old Teofilo stallion looking to be hitting his straps at the right time after a close second to the fellow Waller-trained McCreery at Randwick in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m).
Arod is also still officially entered for the Doncaster Mile Handicap paying $34 to win the race Waller has dominated in recent history preparing six winners since 2008.
The other best Ajax Stakes fancy at $6 is He’s Our Rokkii jumping from barrier three with Kerrin McEvoy riding the other Lindsay Park runner.
A four-year-old son of Roc De Cambes, He’s Our Rokkii is a Group 1 winner over a mile having taken out Caulfield’s Toorak Handicap in the spring.
He has had two runs this time in for two unplaced efforts behind Black Heart Bart in the CF Orr Stakes (8th) and Futurity Stakes (7th).
He’s Our Rokkii looks better placed third-up here looking to peak ahead of a possible Doncaster Mile 2017 campaign next month.
Also under $10 for the Ajax Stakes victory this season are the John O’Shea-trained It’s Somewhat ($8.50) who won the race last year and New Tipperary ($9) getting in on just 53kg.
Godolphin galloper It’s Somewhat was in strong form during the spring including a Group 1 third to Winx in the George Main Stakes over the Randwick mile and a Group 3 2000m win at the same track by nearly five lengths.
He has trialled twice in Sydney leading-up to his return and looks a definite top three chance.
Joe Pride’s High Chaparral four-year-old New Tipperary won three on the trot in Sydney over the spring before finishing second last (6th) in the Liverpool City Cup first-up.
He will be fitter for the run and closed well last time out so looks the improver in this field.
Check out the full Ajax Stakes 2017 betting odds below – following the links to back your early selections at the hottest prices online at Ladbrokes.com.au.
