There is an interesting dynamic in the makeup of the field for the Listed Tattersall’s Stakes over 1400m at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Three runners come into the race defending an unbeaten record after winning on their respective debut outings … and they represent three powerhouse stables.
This unbeaten trio are all well worth a second glance.
Chris Waller sends out The Autumn Son colt Autumn Boy who scored an upset win in his introduction to race action when he not only took out a Maiden Plate contest over 1250m at Canterbury, but also lowered the colours of his strongly supported stable companion Central Coast who jumped at a starting price of $1.65. Autumn Boy was seriously unwanted in the betting at $51.
Jason Collett rode Autumn Boy with James McDonald, aboard Central Coast, having to settle for second best that day. On Saturday McDonald will be on Autumn Boy.
Franking that form is the fact that Central Coast won at his next start.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable sends out the Written Tycoon colt, Duke Of Arrakis, who won a Maiden Handicap over 1150m with some authority, in spite of being on the sixth line of betting in a seven-horse race … at $12.
Like Autumn Boy, Duke Of Arrakis also left a more fancied stable companion, Albany Road, beaten on the day. Regan Bayliss, who partnered Duke Of Arrakis to that victory, retains the ride.
The final debut winner to note in the Tatts Stakes comes from the Bjorn Baker yard. Pillow Fight got home by a nostril in a Maiden Plate over 1200m at Canterbury under a strong Rachel King ride. No double figure odds here, but there was also not an over abundance of confidence either with Pillow Flight on the fourth line of betting at $8. Rachel King will be in the saddle again on Saturday.
So, interestingly enough, all three of these runners … from top stables … saluted without the betting support you might usually associate with two-year-old winners coming out of those yards … a combination of result and price which suggests they gave their connections a pleasant surprise … and did enough to earn their trip north for a taste of Winter Carnival action.
Fair to say, the odds-makers have learnt their lesson with Autumn Boy now marked up as current favourite for Saturday’s Tattersall’s Stakes at $3.80. Duke Of Arrakis is the second favourite at $5.80 … with Brave Design ($4) splitting that pair with online betting sites … while Pillow Fight is the roughie of the debut winning trio at $19.