A field of only eight will line up for the 2018 Challenge Stakes at Randwick on Saturday but it will be a hotly-contested race.
Most of the money has gone with The Everest winner Redzel, but it’s an interesting form race with some proven thoroughbreds in the mix.
It’s Redzel’s race to lose but there’s some good value out there.
All odds are with Sportsbet – our No. 1 rated bookmaker. You can join Sportsbet by clicking HERE.
Be sure to shop around for the best odds this weekend and we recommend checking out new bookmaker Neds.
2018 Challenge Stakes final field, barrier draw and odds
Our best bets for the Challenge Stakes 2018
Best Bet:
Redzel @ $1.55 – BET NOW
Best Each Way Bet:
Terravista @ $13 – BET NOW
Best Roughie:
Super Too @ $26 – BET NOW
Challenge Stakes Form Guide & Tips
Redzel (Best Bet – $1.55) – BET NOW
The Everest winner deserves to be the red-hot favourite for the Challenge Stakes and it’s tough to see him getting beaten.
Despite being beaten as the $1.80 favourite last start by Redkirk Warrior, that form stacks up perfectly for this and he’s always been better running right-handed.
He has won five of his eight starts at Randwick and a win would take his career earnings over the $8 million mark.
That’s incredible and he’s simply low-flying at present.
Terravista (Best Each Way – $13) – BET NOW
Terravista might only be a shadow of its former self, but it’s dangerous to forget about him.
The Joe Pride-trained gelding finished eighth behind Redkirk Warrior at Flemington and although he was beaten handsomely, he was fresh up after three months off the track so we’re prepared to forgive the effort.
He has won five from nine on this track and the $13 represents good value.
Jungle Edge ($31) – BET NOW
Would come into calculations if the track was rated heavy, but that’s unlikely to happen.
He’s as tough as they come but only one placing from five attempts at Randwick doesn’t bode well and he shouldn’t get close to them here.
Takedown ($21) – BET NOW
Once a top-rated sprinter in Australia, Takedown is heading in the wrong direction.
The Gary Moore-trained gelding used to sit on the pace and kick strongly, but we haven’t seen any fight in his legs for some time now and it’s tough to see that changing.
He’s running like a colt but he has no excuses as a gelding.
English ($5.50) – BET NOW
Talented at best but she’s way too short in the market for our liking.
English wasn’t won in a long time but punters continue to back her at unders. She has the ability to beat any number of these on her day but punters must ask when will that day come?
Shouldn’t have much problem beating most of this field home but we want better odds than what’s currently on offer.
Super Too ($26) – BET NOW
Nice odds on offer for this speedy four-year-old which has the ability to turn around her form.
Her run behind Redkirk Warrior at Flemington was only fair, but she always runs well going right-handed and she was a winner the last time she ran at Randwick.
She could take a sit in behind the speed and launch late.
Harlem ($31) – BET NOW
Good resuming run for second at Caulfied behind Gailo Chop, but he wasn’t able to reproduce that same effort last start.
The Lindsay Park-trained stayer promised plenty after winning at Caulfield last year but that didn’t amount to much and he might be better suited to racing at lower levels.
The Mission ($91) – BET NOW
Connections are desperately trying to secure some black type for this colt, but they’re coming up empty.
Gets the inside draw but that’s unlikely to change the result.
Viridine ($7.50) – BET NOW
Solid money coming for the three-year-old, which isn’t suited by the weights.
James Cummings lines up the four-time winner from five starts and we think he’s a real colt for the future, but he gets in with only 2.5kg on Redzel and that’s not enough.
Look for a good run against his own age.
Once again, all odds are with Sportsbet – our No. 1 rated bookmaker. You can join Sportsbet by clicking HERE.
