Exosphere’s biggest fan completely understands why the colt is being heavily challenged to keep his favouritism on the $1 million Golden Rose.
As the gap between Exosphere and second elect Press Statement started to close on Thursday, trainer John O’Shea said it was a market reaction he expected.
Exosphere
Just as there are many positives about Exosphere giving the Godolphin/Darley outfit a fifth win in the Golden Rose, O’Shea figures there are enough unknowns not to get too carried away before the $1 million race.
“I think they’ll say `yet to win on good ground, got to run seven (furlongs) and you’ve got to take short odds to find out’,” O’Shea said.
“That’s why I think he will get out in the market.”
But even if punters are losing interest and bookmakers are preparing to take risks, O’Shea remains staunch in his support for the colt which has an imposing presence.
“He’s a good horse, a very good horse,” O’Shea said.
Exosphere was drifting with most agencies on Thursday, touching $3.20 in some places after opening a $2.90 chance.
In contrast, Press Statement hasn’t moved from a top quote of $3.60.
Exosphere won twice as a two-year-old in a rocks and diamonds season which included his Golden Slipper failure.
But there was enough excitement surrounding his first-up win in the Run To The Rose for Exosphere to be at the forefront of Golden Rose markets when Vancouver fell from favour.
Exosphere will have to extend his brilliance an extra 200m at Rosehill on Saturday and the likelihood of a drying track adds another dimension to the outcome because the colt’s three wins have been on soft ground.
Australian Turf Club track manager Lindsay Murphy is tipping the Golden Rose will be run on a good track.
“The weather is very promising and I think we will be looking at a good three rating which will be ideal,” Murphy said.
Godolphin will also send Shards and Holler into the Golden Rose with O’Shea making a sound case for the former.
“As I said with Exosphere he has to run the seven (furlongs) whereas Shards has had one start for one win over the distance.”
A winner of the Up And Coming Stakes, Shards will be megastar jockey Joao Moreira’s first ride in a Golden Rose.
Sam Clipperton, the young Sydney jockey who rode Exosphere in the Run To The Rose, switches to Godolphin’s third-string chance Holler with James McDonald going onto the favourite.
