Group 1 Winners Prominent in Theo Marks Stakes Betting
Trapeze Artist will resume in the Theo Marks Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart

Group 1 Winners Prominent in Theo Marks Stakes Betting

Only eight horses will make up the field for this year’s Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m), but the talent confirmed suggests that it could be the most exciting contest at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday afternoon.

There is a case to be made for every horse in the Theo Marks Stakes field but betting suggests that we are largely in for a match race between tied favourites Trapeze Artist and D’Argento; both Group 1 winners and both currently perched at $2.90 quotes.

Trapeze Artist has been a strong and consistent performer throughout his entire racing tenure so far, but he returned to the track in autumn in career-best form and will be tough to beat if he brings any of that into the Theo Marks Stakes.

Trapeze Artist stormed home to win the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) as a roughie most notably last spring, and resumed this year for an impressive win in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m); his first appearance in open company.

Working home well to finish on the winner’s heals in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m), the Snitzel entire produced his best performance to date to easily beat the country’s best sprinters in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) and was last seen repeating that effort and result in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m).

He’s trialled fairly in the lead-up to the Theo Marks and on class alone, can be fighting out the finish of the race.

D’Argento will carry a fitness edge into the race second-up and he has so-far received the lion’s share of support from punters in Theo Marks Stakes betting; firming onto the top line from an opening price of $3.10.

The talented grey was an impressive winner of his first three career starts, before making a commendable transition to black type company in autumn when hitting the line for third in the Hobartville Stakes.

He over-raced in the Randwick Guineas, but responded with a barnstorming run to win the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on March 24th, before ending his campaign fourth in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m).

He produced an eye-catching run to finish third behind the equine superstar in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) first-up and could receive the run of the race from barrier 4 on Saturday and with Hugh Bowman jumping back into the saddle.

The second line of Theo Marks Stakes betting is also shared and both Home Of The Brave and Siege Of Quebec represent value at $5.50.

Home Of The Brave debuted for Godolphin in Australia with a tough on-pace performance to finish second behind Voodoo Lad in the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) and will strip fitter for the hit-out.

Siege Of Quebec will also be better for his second-up run here following an impressive run to finish second behind multiple Group 1 champion Le Romain in the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m).