The raceday punters for Flemington’s Mackinnon Stakes Day meeting today in Melbourne are coming for the lightweight filly Loving Gaby who is the market mover in Darley Sprint Classic 2019 betting.
The first of the elite level races on the final Melbourne Cup Carnival raceday, this year’s Group 1 $2 million Darley Sprint Classic (1200m) shapes up as an intriguing sprint clash down the iconic ‘Straight Six’ at HQ.
There are just nine horses in the Darley Sprint Classic field and with the rail out 9m the entire circuit at Flemington, the gallopers will be keen to avoid the inside and get to the outside.
The latest Darley Sprint Classic odds at Ladbrokes.com.au are firming on the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained I Am Invincible filly Loving Gaby who has been backed from $8 into $5.50.
Drawn gate three with Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup winning hoop Craig Williams in the saddle, the youngster carries just 51.5kg going up a half-kilo on her winning weight at The Valley last start in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (1200m).
Having just her ninth career start this afternoon, she chases win number four and is out to complete the Manikato – VRC Sprint Classic double last achieved by Buffering (2013).
Still heading the Darley Sprint Classic betting markets at $2.15 is last year’s champion Santa Ana Lane, the seven-year-old superstar in barrier five with Mark Zahra in the saddle.
Anthony Freedman’s $7.4 million earner chases his first win since the autumn’s Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) and presents fit third-up here.
The class horse in the race, Santa Ana Lane was last seen running a half-length second behind record-breaker Yes Yes Yes in Sydney’s $14 million The Everest (1200m).
The time in that race was very, very slick and despite the danger of getting caught back in the field today, Santa Ana Lane looks the one to beat.
He improved on a sixth in The Everest to win last year’s Darley Sprint Classic at Flemington, that form holding for the second straight year.
The Everest – VRC Sprint Classic double was completed by Redzel when the former ran for the first time in 2017.
The other best in betting at $4 is short distance specialist Nature Strip.
Chris Waller’s Nicconi five-year-old is perhaps the country’s best 1000m horse, but his 1200m form is not quite as impressive.
Winner of the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) two back at Moonee Valley, the chestnut is also a The Everest graduate when running 1.3 lengths back fourth from barrier 12 (of 12).
The first four over the line at Randwick in the world’s richest turf race all ran record time and the outside barrier in the Darley Sprint Classic looks the advantage with the rail out today, which bodes well for Nature Strip today.
Click here for the latest Darley Sprint Classic 2019 betting markets courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.