An inside barrier draw and nice first-up run has seen the Lindsay Park-trained He’s Our Rokkii open top of the 2017 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes odds for his Moonee Valley run this weekend.
He’s Our Rokkii currently leads 2017 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes betting markets. Photo: Steve Hart
The lead-up to the spring majors in Melbourne continues on Saturday with 11 talented weight-for-age hopefuls facing off in the Group 2 $250,000 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m).
Leading the latest Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes betting markets on the mile clash at a current quote of $3.50 and firming through Ladbrokes.com.au is Roc De Cambes five-year-old He’s Our Rokkii.
Barrier one should see the gelding get a lovely run throughout with Dwayne Dunn continuing his association with the 2016 Toorak Handicap winner.
He’s Our Rokkii hasn’t won a race since his Group 1 Caulfield success last October, but put in an eye-catching effort on August 19 when fourth to Hartnell in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m).
Appreciating the extra metres second-up, the bookies are taking no chances.
Second elect at Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes odds of $5.50 is the Darren Weir-trained Star Exhibit.
The W.A. expat won the Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) in December last year and has had just the three runs since.
In the winter he was the brave runner-up in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) and is out to atone for his first-up ninth in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes when racing at the Valley for the first time.
Three other runners are also under $10 for the win including the Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman-trained Kiwi stablemates Lizzie L’Amour ($7) and Bonneval ($8).
Both mares kick off their Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival bids on the weekend and shape-up as winning hopes fresh.
Zabeel five-year-old Lizzie L’Amour is yet to race down under, but her form at home puts her right in contention.
A first-up flyer, she races for the first time since defeating Brisbane Cup winner Benzini in the Group 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) in mid-March.
Makfi mare Bonneval was also in outstanding form across the Tasman over the autumn winning three on the trot including the Group 1 NZ Oaks (2400m) before travelling to Sydney for a four and a half-length Randwick win in the Group 1 ATC Oaks (2400m).
At $8.50 the last of the single-figure Dato’ hopes this season is the Lloyd Williams-raced Sir Isaac Newton.
The European import had a debut run in Australia last spring when seventh to Jameka in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).
He returned in March and finished fifth to Palentino in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, and has a good place strike rate fresh.
Of the longer priced chances there are plenty with genuine claims for an upset including Weir’s improver Articus ($12) and former Schweppes Oaks winner Abbey Marie ($12) looking to recapture her best form.
Check out the latest Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes 2017 odds below, Moonee Valley betting open now through Ladbrokes.com.au.
