The Spring Racing Carnival is in full swing for 2024 and with that, All In markets are available for the majority of key races for this upcoming Saturday at Rosehill and Flemington, with the latter hosting the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).
Adam Page brings us a preview of the key races and horses to potentially back this Saturday, as well as horses to avoid in the early All In markets, with odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.
All In Markets - Saturday, September 14th
Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) @ Flemington
Winx Stakes winner Via Sistina is favourite and easy to see why given how stunning she was at Randwick and the fact that James McDonald is electing to ride her vs staying in Sydney. Mr Brightside won the race last year and was super in his return in the Memsie when second to Pinstriped and looks on target again. The unknown is Pride Of Jenni, who was too bad to be true when down the track in the Memsie and is now at an attractive price at around $6, a point clear of Riff Rocket, who was a real eye catcher in the Winx Stakes. The X factor is Queensland Derby winner Warmonger, who is using this as a Caulfield Cup kick off point and has trialled up really well.
Back: Warmonger ($15), Via Sistina ($2.20)
Avoid: Mr Brightside
Poseidon Stakes (1100m) @ Flemington
Easy to see why Growing Empire is odds on given how dominant he was in the McNeil two weeks ago at Caulfield and is using this run as a lead up to see how he handles the straight course, with eyes towards the Coolmore on Derby Day. But, he has competition here in the shape of the Price/Kent duo of First Settler and Reserve Bank. Mick Price has stated that First Settler just has the measure of the other horse in work at home, but that is not to say Reserve Bank isn't above average.
Back: Growing Empire ($1.70), Reserve Bank ($9/$2.60)
Avoid: Stay Focused
Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) @ Flemington
The race looks a nightmare off the nominations and that is reflected in the market with three horses being equal favourite at $6, those being Benedetta, Buenos Noches and Right To Party. It looks a race where you can look far and wide, and find good value. Spacewalk and It'sourtime are straight track specialists and both look to be going very well leading into this. The query is Recommendation, who faces his toughest test to date but is flying for Ciaron Maher and will be out of trouble on speed.
Back: Spacewalk ($15/$4.5), It'sourtime ($26/$7.25)
Avoid: Recommendation, Sans Doute
Archer Stakes (2500m) @ Flemington
Fascinating this race with some of these having Melbourne Cup aspirations. Berkshire Breeze was beaten as an odds on favourite last time but despite that, is favourite here, ahead of the horse that beat him last time, Horrifying. Post Impressionist and Vow And Declare, you'd think, are already assured a Cup start, notably the latter, 2019 Melbourne Cup winner. Dashing Duchess faces her toughest test to date but is flying. There are improvers at odds potentially, namely Okita Soushi.
Back: Okita Soushi ($26/$7.25)
Avoid: Vow And Declare, Point King
Let's Elope Stakes (1400m) @ Flemington
Much like the Bobbie Lewis, this race looks very tough to sort out with confidence. Cockram winner Quintessa is favourite after that first up triumph. The unlucky runner in the race was Wollombi and she has been well found in early betting. The interesting runner is WA mare Alsephina, who is the highest rated horse in the race and does get Blake Shinn booked to ride, so she ticks a few boxes and looks value, as does a mare like Foxy Cleopatra, who needs luck to get a run but has jumped out well.
Back: Alsephina and Foxy Cleopatra ($26/$7.25)
Avoid: Wollombi, Running By, See You In Heaven
Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) @ Rosehill
Celestial Legend is the best horse in the race and although he does have eyes on the Golden Eagle, he has class and that will carry him a long way, as well as his love for Rosehill. Bases Loaded has trialled up like a jet for his return and looks to land on speed, which will be a good spot to be. Punch Lane resumes off a Brisbane Winter prep and has trialled up well alongside some good horses. Encap is a big improver at odds.
Back: Encap ($15/$4.50), Celestial Legend ($3.60)
Avoid: Scarlet Oak, Joliestar, Whinchat
Run To The Rose (1200m) @ Rosehill
The barrier draw is going to be so crucial to this race. Storm Boy is notoriously a stride slow to begin with and if he's drawn inside, he's going to dig up hard to lead, like he did in the San Domenico. There is a stack of quality engaged. Switzerland, from all reports, is working the house down for Chris Waller, while Traffic Warden went like a jet in a piece of work between races at Randwick on the weekend.
Back: Traffic Warden ($6)
Avoid: Storm Boy
Sheraco Stakes (1200m) @ Rosehill
A win here for Joliestar and you would assume she has a slot for The Everest, especially after her stunning win fresh in the Show County. She dominates betting and easy to see why, but another top mare is also engaged here in the shape of Sunshine In Paris, another that has Everest aspirations but may need the run. Makarena is the unknown but has talent and has trialled up super in readiness for the return. Commemorative was a late nomination and isn't added to the market yet.
Back: Commemorative each way
Avoid: Sunshine In Paris
