It’s always one of the most open feature races of this carnival’s and there’s plenty of value to be taken in 2018 Kennedy Mile betting.
Land Of Plenty opened the $4 favourite in Kennedy Mile betting after a capacity field was confirmed on Wednesday, but he is yet to herald much interest and has continued to drift to $4.70.
The Stratum entire stamped himself as a horse to follow when debuting in 2016, but he has clearly stepped up in class and ability since transferring to the care of Darren Weir and has returned to the track in career-best form this time.
He finished second in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) first-up this time before a smart win in the Listed Bendigo Bank Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley. He was tough to the line for third in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m), before recording a well-earned maiden win at the highest level in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) a fortnight ago.
Damian Lane can settle the horse behind the early pace from barrier 8 and will look to finish over the top of his rivals.
Hartnell has returned to the track in typically excellent form this time and he remains the sole occupant of the second line of Kennedy Mile betting at $6.50.
The multiple Group 1 winner was unlucky not to win the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) first-up this time and he turned in a rare lacklustre performance in the Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) in early September but still finished fourth.
He was all but forgotten in Epsom Handicap betting on September 29th, but his class was simply too much for his rivals and he flew home from the tail of the field to win they race as a $21 shot.
He was last seen finishing second in the Toorak Handicap and is rock-hard fit for another live shot at a Group 1 win on Saturday.
Dean Yendall will look to take Cliff’s Edge ($8) forward from his central barrier on Saturday and with only 52kgs in tow, he could prove hard to run down.
The Canford Cliffs entire has looked up to winning a Group 1 race since debuting in autumn last year and has recorded several good results in the lead-up to the Kennedy Mile.
Cliff’s Edge held on to win a 1400m race at Caulfield three starts back and boxed on to finish fifth in the Toorak Handicap, but his run in the Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m) last weekend was particularly impressive and he’ll he hard to beat again.
Le Romain and Peaceful State are interestingly the only other horses currently available at Kennedy Mile odds of less-than $10 and the classy pair share the fourth line at $9.50 quotes, at the time of publish.