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Racing Up: Redzel In, Winx Out

February 12, 2018 by

Redzel Looking Strong for Black Caviar Lightning

Saturday, February 17, brings premier racing action in Melbourne and Sydney to entertain Aussie sports betting enthusiasts. Flemington will host arguably the highlight of the weekend’s racing: the Gr. 1 Black Caviar Lightning, as the Lightning Stakes has been rechristened.

The 1000m race, now more than 60 years old, kicks off the Autumn Sprint series; the first of three iconic Gr.1 sprints in the season. Up later this month is the 1100m Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield, and the Autumn Sprint series ends back at Flemington with the Newmarket Handicap over 1200m in March.

The field for the weight-for-age Black Caviar Lightning has yet to be finalised, but champion sprinter Redzel looks almost certain to start. The five-year-old gelding trained by father-son team Peter and Paul Snowden hasn’t lost a race in the six starts he’s had since April last year, and he boasts a career record of 21: 11-4-1.

In a barrier trial at Rosehill last week, at which Redzel wore his race day blinkers and was ridden by race day jockey Kerrin McEvoy, he sped away over 1000m to finish three lengths clear of Alizee in second. As a result, he’s at just better than even money to win the Black Caviar Lightning in antepost betting, with online sports betting sites offering him at around $1.10.

Winx Out of Apollo Stakes

The horse that surprisingly didn’t do too well in the Rosehill barrier trial was another noted champion, Winx. The six-year-old mare finished well back in the field, and as a result trainer Chris Waller won’t be running her in Sydney’s big race on February 17: the 1400m Gr. 2 Apollo Stakes at Royal Randwick.

The other factor influencing Waller’s decision is the failure of Winx’s regular jockey, Hugh Bowman, to get a careless-riding suspension downgraded last week. His seven-race-day suspension stands, and Waller has decided not to put Winx into the Apollo without him – although she may still entertain fans at Randwick with a barrier trial between races on Saturday.

With Winx out, the top of the antepost betting for the Apollo Stakes is topped by Trapeze Artist, Foxplay, Hartnell, Comin Through and Egg Tart, all offered at below $10.00 at online betting sites.

Cameron Hollands

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After working part time in one of Australia’s finest casinos to fund his journalism studies, Cameron Hollands discovered a passion for sports betting. A few years and many successful bets later, he is now putting his considerable experience to good use, and is a regular contributor for australiansportsbetting.net.
Cameron’s expert advice, insight into the sporting world and straightforward reporting style has earned him many fans, and he enjoys sharing his expertise with fellow punters.

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