Feature racing kicks off early this week, and we’re off to The Valley on Friday for the Group 1 William Reid Stakes!
Plenty of world-class sprinters have reigned supreme in the William Reid throughout its storied existence, and with plenty of local and international engaged this year, another terrific edition looms.
I’ve run the rule over the field, and you can find my complete 2023 William Reid Stakes Tips below.
Suggested Bets
- 3 Units E/W #8 Bella Nipotina
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below
She returned a rare flat effort in the Newmarket Handicap last start, but Bella Nipotina grows another leg at The Valley, and she can bounce back in the William Reid.
Bella has always been a good horse, but there’s no doubt that she returned a better horse in the spring of last year, where she realised her top line potential with a dominant win in the Manikato Stakes here.
Fitter third-up and with even luck in running, the $13 about her in William Reid Stakes betting (at publish) is overs.
She’s probably the best sprinter currently going around in New Zealand, and Imperatriz has opened our favourite in William Reid Stakes betting.
Imperatriz is a multiple Group 1 winner, and she struck in each of her first three starts back this time, before being only just denied by an incredible Artorius performance in the Canterbury Stakes; her first crack at Australian company.
So long as she handles The Valley, I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish.
In The Congo was scratched from The Galaxy last week to be kept fresh for this, and he can justify that decision by fighting out the finish.
The Snitzel entire recording an outstanding all-the-way win in the 2021 Golden Rose, and although he hasn’t scaled Group 1 heights since then, he has continued to return competitive performances in some of our better sprints.
He has missed placing only once at this point of his preparation previously, and Timmy Clark is absolutely the right rider for him.
Another Kiwi sprinter making an Australian raid, Babylon Berlin looks a bit of value in William Reid Stakes betting at current odds ($13 at publish).
The Ben Foote-trained mare finished second in three-consecutive Group 1 races through January and February, and she was last seen recording a seven-length win in Group 3 company.
She’s fit, gets the services of Blake Shinn this week, and could very well be crowed the William Reid Stakes winner.