Shadowfax Odds-on for Back-to-Back Wins

May 26, 2011

Shadowfax Odds-on for Back-to-Back Wins

Mark Kavanagh

Mark Kavanagh's kiwi galloper Shadowfax is odds-on to score back-to-back wins

Mark Kavanagh’s exciting former Kiwi galloper Shadowfax is in blistering form and will start odds-on favourite to score back-to-back wins at Caulfield this weekend.

A fortnight ago five-year-old Daggers Drawn gelding Shadowfax, who came to Kavanagh’s Flemington stable in March of last year, went out at an inflated price of $4 in the Benjamin Quigley Handicap (1400m) before blasting away to an easy five length victory on a Heavy track.

This weekend the explosive galloper is back looking for their second Caulfield win on the trot, this time lining up in the $70,000 Responsible Gambling Awareness Week Cup (1600m).

“He came to me as a tried horse from New Zealand and has just continued to improve each time we’ve raced him,” Kavanagh said of Shadowfax.

After their impressive victory last start, bookies are taking no chances and Shadowfax is odds-on favourite at $1.57 to win this weekend.

Prior to the Benjamin Quigley, Shadowfax had produced just one placing from four starts on rain-affected ground explaining his drifting price that day.

While there is the chance of similar wet conditions at Caulfield this Saturday, Shadowfax has now shown they can handle Heavy ground and so the punters have been keen to take them despite the short price.

“The race played into his hands a bit last time by having a lot of pace on, but certainly it was a good win and he’s now shown he’s effective on wet tracks,” Kavanagh said.

Second favourite in the Caulfield Race 6 markets are the fellow Kavanagh-trained Believe ‘n Achieve ($5.50).

The stablemates are both drawn well for the mile showdown, four-year-old Beautiful Crown mare Believe ‘n Achieve on the rails in barrier one while the favourite will jump from gate four.

Believe ‘n Achieve has had five runs in Adelaide this year, most recently finishing fifth when beaten three lengths by Budriguez in the Group 3 RA Lee Stakes (1600m) on May 8.

The speedy mare has won eight of her 20 starts to date and although her record does not include any other placings, she did run fourth to Sacred Choice in the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington last October during the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

“If she runs up to her good from last spring, she ran fourth in a Group 1, she’ll be around the mark too,” Kavanagh said.

“She’s a moody sort of a mare, but when she does put it all together and the race is run to suit she’s hard to beat.”

Kavanagh will also saddle up consistent Face Value gelding Jake Boy in the opening Flemington race this Saturday and Zephyron in Race 3 – the $70,000 Sportsbet.com.au Thing (1200m).

Michael Rodd, also engaged to ride Shadowfax on Saturday, has the mount on two-year-old Zabeel colt Zephyron while Stephen Baster has been booked to ride the in-form Jake Boy in the $70,000 Taralye Cup (1440mk).

Three-year-old Jake Boy has had four starts to date for two wins, a second and a fourth place finish.

Last start they enjoyed a strong three and a half length victory over 1400m at Ballarat carrying 58.5kg and dropping back to 54.5kg on Saturday and also coming up trumps with the inside alley, should kick the day off on a high note for Kavanagh.

“Jake Boy’s been in good form and deserved his go in a race in town and Zephyron raced well last time, but just over-raced a little and needs to learn to settle before we put him out to longer distances,” Kavanagh said.

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 SA Derby Winner Coco Sun ...

Guineas Winner Kintyre Unlikel...

Guineas Winner Kintyre Unlikely for 2024 Queensland Derby

Connections of the high-flying Kintyre are unlikely to press onto the...

Victory Stakes Winner Antino R...

Victory Stakes Winner Antino Rockets into Stradbroke 2024 Favouritism

Antino finally lived up to the hype of trainer Tony Gollan who had been...

2024 Robert Sangster Stakes Re...

2024 Robert Sangster Stakes Results: Climbing Star Stuns in Local Upset

It was a fantastic local result for trainer Phillip Stokes and young hoop...

Vibrant Sun Shines in 2024 Aus...

Vibrant Sun Shines in 2024 Australasian Oaks Results

Vibrant Sun just held on in a brave effort showing true grit to salute in the...

Race Results

2024 SA Derby Winner Coco Sun Aims at Queensland Oaks

Guineas Winner Kintyre Unlikely for 2024 Queensland Derby

Victory Stakes Winner Antino Rockets into Stradbroke 2024 Favouritism

2024 Robert Sangster Stakes Results: Climbing Star Stuns in Local Upset

Vibrant Sun Shines in 2024 Australasian Oaks Results

Race Previews

2024 South Australian Derby Field & Betting Update: Coco Sun Set to Shine

Fawkner Park Heads Wagga Wagga Gold Cup 2024 Field & Odds

2024 Queensland Guineas Field & Betting Update on Derby Lead-Up

Uncommon James Heads 2024 Victory Stakes Field & Betting

Warrnambool Cup 2024 Field & Betting Update: Little Mix Favourite

Fields & Form

Guineas Winner Kintyre Unlikely for 2024 Queensland Derby

Victory Stakes Winner Antino Rockets into Stradbroke 2024 Favouritism

2024 South Australian Derby Field & Betting Update: Coco Sun Set to Shine

Fawkner Park Heads Wagga Wagga Gold Cup 2024 Field & Odds

2024 Queensland Guineas Field & Betting Update on Derby Lead-Up