The high flying Redzel has been posted as the odds on favourite when the final field was released for the 2018 Group 2 $500,000 Hyland Race Colours Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Redzel, above, has been installed the odds on favourite for the 2018 Challenge Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Nine speedsters will line up in the weight for age sprint with Redzel drawing better than midfield at gate four with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle again.

Redzel suffered his first defeat from his last seven starts but wasn’t disgraced when a nose second to Redkirk Warrior in the Group 1 $750,000 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington on February 17.

“To me his run was fantastic, the time was good and his sectionals were very good,’’ co-trainer Peter Snowden told Racing New South Wales News.

“He just knuckled over at the start but he got going quickly and travelled well.

“If we had the race again, after watching it 50 times, Kerrin (McEvoy) may have held up another 50m. He thought he had them all beaten around him.

“The winner had the slingshot off the back and got him on the line. We can’t be disappointed, yeah he got beaten but he still ran terrifically.’’

Redzel has been marked at $1.50 for the Challenge Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au with his nearest rival in the betting being the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained English at $5.

English has drawn next to Redzel in barrier three with Corey Brown taking the ride after partnering the Encosta De Lago mare for a second placing in a 745m Randwick barrier trial on February 27.

Ball Of Muscle also returns to Sydney after running sixth in the Black Caviar Lightning and will jump from gate two for Glyn Schofield who has winning form on the Joe Pride trained seven year old after they combined to take out the Listed $150,000 Absolut Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on Kennedy Oaks Day during the 2017 Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Pride will also saddle up his grand old sprinter Terravista who will jump from the outside gate with Hugh Bowman aboard in the Challenge Stakes 2018 Field.

Final Field of the 2018 Challenge Stakes (1000m)