Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 

Southern Speed’s recent form and the defection of some high profile runners have given trainer Leon Macdonald confidence in the mare going into Saturday’s Caulfield Cup.

The four-year-old’s past three starts in Melbourne have yielded an unlucky fourth in the Group Two Stocks Stakes (1600m), second in the Group One Underwood (1800m) and another fourth in the Group One Turnbull (2000m) won by Caulfield Cup favourite December Draw.

Macdonald, who trains in Adelaide in partnership with his son-in-law Andrew Gluyas, is also eager to see what Southern Speed can do now that she is up to 2400 metres for the first time.
“The race has fallen away a bit and I think Southern Speed is going as well as anything else,” Macdonald said.

“December Draw won well the other day but he has yet to be tested over 2400 metres and I think it’s what this mare wants.

“She is out of a Zabeel mare and bred to be a stayer.”

The Mark Kavanagh-trained December Draw has won five of his six Australian starts but has also not been extended to 2400 metres ahead of Saturday.

Final acceptances for the Cup are taken on Tuesday morning with former favourite Lights Of Heaven a doubtful starter and the Lloyd Williams-owned imports At First Sight and Midas Touch withdrawn.

December Draw remained at $2.50 on Monday ahead of German horse Lucas Cranach at $8.50 after $101 was on offer before his arrival at the Freedman stable in Australia.

Southern Speed is at $26 with Macdonald hoping for a barrier on the inside half of the field when the draw is done on Wednesday.

“I’d like her to draw inside ten,” he said.

“She’s got enough pace to put herself into a spot and it would mean she wouldn’t have to go around the field.

“If she can draw a good alley then I certainly think she is better than a $26 chance.”

Although it is often said four-year-old mares have an advantage in the Caulfield Cup, it has been a decade since Ethereal won the race on her way to victory in the Melbourne Cup.

That race is not on Southern Speed’s agenda but Macdonald is keen to back her up in the Cox Plate if she performs up to expectations at Caulfield.

“If she won the Caulfield Cup then she would go to the Cox Plate,” he said.

“She has a great constitution.”

Craig Williams, who rode Southern Speed in the Turnbull, retains the mount at Caulfield.

AAP TURF

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au