Royal Symphony is the red hot favourite in 2017 Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas Prelude field and odds this Sunday in Melbourne despite the undefeated star drawing out wide.
Undefeated favourite Royal Symphony has work to do from a wide draw in Sunday’s 2017 Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas Prelude field. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Due to run as Caulfield Race 6 at 3:30pm (AEDT) as part of the Underwood Stakes Day racing card, this year’s Group 3 $175,000 Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) field is down to a dozen hopefuls following the early scratching of the Mick Price-trained Mactier (10).
Dominating the Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas Prelude betting markets at race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au as well as the all-in markets for the Group 1 $2 million Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas (1600m) back at the track on October 14 is the Tony McEvoy-trained Domesday colt Royal Symphony.
For Sunday the gun youngster is at a short $2.05 but has eased out slightly in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude odds from an opening quote of $1.75 since drawing barrier 12 (into 11).
Jockey Dwayne Dunn continues his successful association with the last start Listed Exford Plate (1400m) winner who chases a fifth win from as many starts.
There’s plenty to like about Royal Symphony, but Sunday will be his first run at the Caulfield track and how effective he is around the bend compared to the ‘Straight Six’ at Flemington will be key to him retaining favouritism for the upcoming Group 1.
If Royal Symphony doesn’t turn up and struggles from the wide barrier the bookies are tipping the looming danger to be Kementari ($7 into $5) from the powerhouse Godolphin stable.
The James Cummings-trained Lonhro colt also sees not only Caulfield for the first time on the weekend, but makes his Melbourne debut with all three of his previous starts having taken place in Sydney.
He was last seen finishing three lengths back fourth behind Menari in the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) and is expected to appreciate getting out over 1400m from a nice midfield draw with Kerrin McEvoy retaining the ride.
Cummings has also accepted for Esperance drawn one on the inside of his stablemate in gate six, the $11 shot out to improve on a last start sixth behind the Thousand Guineas Prelude favourite Catchy at Flemington on September 16 in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m).
Bernardini gelding Esperance was only two lengths off the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond winner that day having won his previous two career starts and this weekend Glyn Schofield replaces McEvoy in the saddle.
With Royal Symphony and Kementari holding the bulk of bets on the Caulfield Guineas Prelude, there could be value to be had further down the markets from one of the double-figure fancies.
Those with genuine claims at the title looking to secure a Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas bid in a fortnight include the Phillip Stokes-trained Éclair Sunshine ($10) in barrier three coming off a second to Royal Symphony as a $31 roughie in the Exford Plate and well-bred Pierro colt Levendi ($11) with work to do from the outside alley who has won his two starts to date in easier company.
Check out the full Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas Prelude 2017 field, barriers, jockeys and odds below with pricing open now at Ladbrokes.com.au.
