Shane Nichols’ Group 1 winning filly I Am A Star is the firm favourite in Sunline Stakes 2017 betting to post a win under the lights at Moonee Valley on William Reid Stakes Night.
Group 1 winner over the mile I Am A Star is favourite in Sunline Stakes 2017 odds to beat the older mares on Friday night. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Friday evening brings to a close the major Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival action including the $200,000 Group 2 Sunline Stakes (1600m) set to run as Moonee Valley Race 6 at 9:00pm (AEDT).
A final field of ten fillies and mares were in the mix for the weight-for-age clash, before the early scratching of Thames Court (8), including last spring’s Myer Classic champion I Am A Star.
The three-year-old daughter of I Am Invincible sits top of the Sunline Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au paying $2.20 for the win despite the wide gate eight draw.
Dean Yendall retains the ride on the last start winning filly who took out the Group 2 Kewney Stakes (1400m) narrowly at Flemington on March 11.
She races at Moonee Valley for just the second time in the Sunline Stakes, her other start at the track producing the close third in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic (1600m) last October.
A proven miler, the step back up to 1600m will suit on Friday night and she’ll enjoy the weight relief coming back to 54kg taking on the older mares here.
Just two other runners in the Sunline Stakes field are under double figures for the win with First Seal ($4.80) and Circular ($8).
John Thompson’s Fastnet Rock mare First Seal chases her first win since the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last October.
She was beaten only one and a quarter lengths when eighth to I Am A Star in the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) later in the sprint and has had just the one run this time in.
First Seal resumed at Rosehill on March 11 and finished fifteenth behind Heavens Above in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m).
The five-year-old is down in grade for this and will enjoy being back on her Melbourne leg for this as she sees Moonee Valley for the first time.
Circular has the outside barrier to overcome on Friday night, but is an in-form Godolphin-raced Street Cry four-year-old with class.
Craig Williams rides the John O’Shea-trained mare in the place of Joao Moreira who was aboard for her Group 3 Matron Stakes (1600m) win over the mile last time out at Flemington.
Circular has plenty of form over the distance with three wins and a second from five runs at 1600m to date and only needs to handle the turns at the Valley to complete the Matron Stakes – Sunline Stakes double in 2017.
The other key contender drawn the rails in barrier one is Turbo Miss ($10) coming off three top three runs this campaign.
Darren Weir’s Sebring four-year-old was last seen saluting in the Group 3 Frances Tressady Stakes (1400m) at Flemington, but is up to 1600m for the first time here.
Check out the full 2017 Sunline Stakes field, barriers, jockeys and latest Fixed Win markets below – prices provided by Ladbrokes.com.au the home of Odds Boost (T&Cs apply).
