There is an obvious lack of the world’s best racehorse this year, but the field confirmed for Saturday’s Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick is outstanding and there is plenty of value to be taken in betting.
Group 1 winner Unforgotten turned in a decent performance in the Winx Stakes (1400m) first-up a fortnight ago and has opened the $4.60 favourite in Chelmsford Stakes betting.
Unforgotten experienced something of a meteoric rise to prominence through the recent Autumn Carnival and after failing to beat a single runner home in the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) first-up, responded with a smart win in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m).
She ran on well for second in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) before producing the finest run of her career to date to comfortably win the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) on Day 2 of The Championships.
A step up in trip on Saturday is ideal and she could very well enjoy the run of the race from barrier 5, and with Hugh Bowman in the saddle.
Prized Icon is yet to attract much interest in Chelmsford Stakes betting but remains the sole occupant of the second line at $8.
A multiple Group 1 winner, the More Than Ready entire was a typically strong performer through this year’s Autumn Carnival and placed at Group 1 level twice.
He trialled extremely well in the lead-up to this campaign and is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from his first-up run for third over 1400m. He’ll also enjoy a step-up in distance and with appropriate luck in running, can be fighting out the finish.
Cabeza De Vaca took up the running in the Winx Stakes a fortnight ago and loomed as the horse to challenge the champion mare 200m from home.
While he faded late to finish fifth, the obvious step back in class into the Chelmsford Stakes field will suit and he’s sure to taken plenty of benefit into the race.
Josh Parr can take up the running from barrier 3 and he will give them something to chase. If the track is suiting leaders at this point of the day, Cabeza De Vaca could prove well and truly over the odds at his current $9 quote in Chelmsford Stakes betting.
Single Gaze ($9.50) has been transferred to the care of Chris Waller for her 2018 Spring Carnival campaign and is capable of a sharp first-up performance.
The daughter of Not A Single Doubt most notably won the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) in 2016, but has been in outstanding form again throughout the last 12 months and finishing second ni the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) most notably last spring.
She resumed this year for an agonizingly-close second in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) and continued to impress through four subsequent starts which included a second placing behind Gailo Chop in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m).
She’ll be fitter for multiple trials and would not look out of place in the Chelmsford Stakes winner’s stall.