The Coolmore Classic Day racing action in Sydney this weekend comes to a close with the 2015 Ajax Stakes, betting tips for the handicap clash detailed below.
Rudy is the Races.com.au’s 2015 Ajax Stakes tip to win on Saturday in Sydney. Photo: Daniel Costello.
A final field of 11 face off in Rosehill Race 9 at 5:30pm (AEDT) on Saturday, a pretty open market playing out at Ladbrokes.com.au for this yearâs $175,000 Group 2 APN Outdoor Ajax Stakes (1500m).
Currently leading the Ajax Stakes odds at $4.80 is Ninth Legion on the rails in barrier one with Tommy Berry in the saddle.
The Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes-trained Fastnet Rock gelding comes off a seventh to Contriubter in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) and will appreciate coming back in distance and class for this.
There are six other single figure fancies however with the bookies having a hard time separating the pretenders from the genuine contenders.
Some of the main dangers to Ninth Legion include the ultra-consistent Rudy ($5.50) coming off a Liverpool City Cup second, Gerald Ryanâs Excites gelding Red Excitement ($6) and market mover San Diego ($6) backed in from $7.
So where should your money be at? See below for our insider tips then head to Ladbrokes.com.au to lock in your selections at the guaranteed best odds!
1st
#3 Rudy ($5.50)
Barrier nine draw for Helen Pageâs flying Red Dazzler four-year-old Rudy who has run top two in his past five runs including his first-up second to impressive debuting import Itâs Somewhat in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) on February 28. Hasnât seen the track or distance but has won over a mile (1600m) at Group 2 level two back in December at Randwick. If he handled that Rosehill 1500m should be in his reach. Two weeks between runs with plenty to like.
2nd
#10 San Diego ($6)
Money is coming for John OâSheaâs last start winner over 1350m at the track, the Exceed And Excel gelding dropping back from 55kg that run to the 53kg minimum on Saturday. Should get a gun run from barrier two with Tim Clark riding, and if he improves on what he showed first-up then could be hard to get past.
3rd
#11 Spy Decoder ($13)
Good value on offer for the Anthony Cummings-trained Spy Decoder in gate three on 53kg, a big drop back from the 59kg on the Testa Rossa four-year-oldâs back on March 4 when fifth (beaten only 1.6 lengths) over the Warwick Farm mile in a Benchmark 80. Not far off them there, Group 1 performed and the weight advantage will help him when back up in class for this.
*All odds quoted are Fixed Win from Ladbrokes.com.au and subject to change