2017 ANZAC Day Stakes Field & Betting: Merchant Navy Favourite

Ciaron Maher’s undefeated colt Merchant Navy is the well-supported favourite in ANZAC Day Stakes 2017 betting for Flemington’s feature race this Tuesday in Melbourne.

Gai Waterhouse’s VOBIS Gold Rush winner Speed Street is stepped up in distance for a shot at the 2017 ANZAC Day Stakes at Flemington on Tuesday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Two black-types take place at the track on ANZAC Day including a field of two-year-olds facing off in the $120,000 Listed ANZAC Day Stakes (1400m) under handicap conditions.

Sitting top of the latest ANZAC Day Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au at $2.25 is Fastnet Rock colt Merchant Way chasing his third win from as many career starts.

Jockey Luke Nolen comes aboard in place of Mark Zahra on the progressive youngster who was last seen winning over 1400m at Sandown-Hillside on April 5 by a length as the odds-on favourite.

Merchant Navy gets the chance to salute over the same distance stepping up in class for his first Flemington run on Tuesday, the top elect drawn in barrier eight of 13.

Connections of the up-and-comer considered a trip to Sydney for the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) and this is a far easier assignment, even carrying the 57.5kg second top weight.

Occupying the second line of ANZAC Day Stakes betting at $5 is the 59kg top weight Speed Street who the bookies are taking no chances with even allocated the hefty kilos.

Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott prepare the Al Maher colt who is drawn a treat in barrier three with Stephen Baster aboard.

Baster rode Speed Street on debut at Moonee Valley during March for a close second over the 1000m before apprentice Beau Mertens took over for the horse’s maiden win over the same metres at Bendigo on April 1.

There is no doubt the juvenile has an element of class, but stepping out over 400m further makes him vulnerable on Tuesday.

The only other gallopers under double figures for the win are the in-form Platinum ($7.50) prepared by John O’Shea for the Godolphin stable and the Greg Eurell-trained Casino Fourteen ($9).

Animal Kingdom Platinum gelding returns to Flemington for the first time since his second last (10^th) to Ducimus in the Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m) back in February.

He went on to win over 1200m at Ballarat from a wide draw in March before a last start second to Tuesday’s favourite Merchant Navy when beaten a length.

Platinum drops from 57.5kg that run to 55kg for the rematch and should get a nice run throughout from barrier seven one beside his last start conqueror.

Casino Prince colt Casino Fourteen is only lightly-raced having just his second career start after winning over 1200m at Echuca on April 9 on debut.

See below for the full ANZAC Day Stakes 2017 field, barriers, jockeys and weights plus the latest Fixed Win odds on the Flemington race to run on Tuesday provided by Ladbrokes.com.au.