The Queensland Derby-bound three-year-olds face off at Eagle Farm Racecourse in this Saturday’s 2017 Grand Prix Stakes, betting tips and the latest odds for which are detailed below.
Veladero (inside, purple silks) is the Races.com.au upset tip to win Saturday’s 2017 Grand Prix Stakes at Eagle Farm Racecourse. Photo: Steve Hart.
Kiwi visitor Shocking Luck is the well-supported $3.20 favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au for this year’s $150,000 Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) on Kingsford-Smith Cup Day.
Drawn a treat in gate three with Opie Bosson riding, the son of Shocking is bred to stay and comes off a traditional lead-up win in the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben.
Plenty to suggest he can fire for the punters here getting out over 2200m at the roomier Eagle Farm track on way to the $600,000 Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) on June 10.
The next best in Grand Prix Stakes betting this Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival are the Victoria Derby winner Prized Icon ($3.80), the Brian Smith-trained Rough Habit Plate runner-up Order Again ($5.50) and Black On Gold ($6.50) in gate one coming off an 1800m win at Rosehill from the start of the month.
So will the single-figure fancies dominate the Grand Prix Stakes results or is there an upset pending from the likes of the Chris Waller-trained Veladero ($15) who’s a gun on Heavy tracks?
1st
#3 Veladero ($15)
Happy to take the double-figure odds on offer for the in-form and consistent Medaglia D’Oro colt Veladero who has been thereabouts all season. Last three runs have produced top three finishes, including a third in the Rough Habit Plate. Yet to win over further than 1800m, so the distance is the test. Aiding him is the likely muddy conditions as he’s got a great Heavy track record (3-1-1-1). Group 1 performer with class.
2nd
#5 Shocking Luck ($3.20)
Deserving favourite based on the lead-up form. Is a son of a former Melbourne Cup winner so the further the better, which could be key. Drawn well, the Rough Habit win was by nearly three lengths over many of these same rivals and ticks plenty of boxes.
3rd
#14 Lyrids ($51)
Blowout tip is the Michael Costa-trained Northern Meteor gelding from the Gold Coast. Right up in grade and that’s why the bookies are happy to leave him. He was super impressive however at home a fortnight ago winning a maiden race over this distance (2200m) by nearly seven lengths. Out to prove he can do something similar around the best of his age. Can surprise at a stupid price.
Now is the ideal time to get behind our exclusive Grand Prix Stakes 2017 tips online at the right price through Ladbrokes.com.au.
