Australian Derby-bound Farson has opened clear favourite in Alister Clark Stakes 2017 betting to continue his ace autumn form with a fourth win on the trot under the lights at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Autumn Classic winner Farson is favourite in Alister Clark Stakes 2017 betting for Moonee Valley on Friday night. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The feature race on the twilight race card, this season’s $200,000 Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) is set to run as Moonee Valley Race 7 at 9:30pm (AEDT) and features a dozen three-year-old stayers.
Heading the field and latest Alister Clark Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au is the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Snitzel gelding Farson.
He is at $2.50 for the win after drawing barrier three, Stephen Baster retaining the ride after guiding him to victory three times on the trot this campaign.
Last time out Farson stepped-up in class and posted a tidy one and three-quarter length victory in the Group 2 Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield on February 25.
Looking like he will more than handle the 2040m of Friday’ night’s feature race, Farson is shooting for the Autumn Classic – Alister Clark double achieved by Tally (2016) last Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival.
Tally went onto Sydney after his Alister Clark Stakes win and finished a credible third behind Tavago (1st) and Jameka (2nd) in the Group 1 ATC Derby (2400m).
The 2017 ATC Australian Derby at Randwick on April 1 is also a likely next-up target for Farson.
Three of his eleven rivals are also under double-figures in the latest Alister Clark Stakes betting markets including Ruthven ($4.60) drawn one on his inside in barrier two.
Mark Zahra rides the Ciaron Maher-trained Domesday colt who was last seen carting 61.5kg to a very close second over the mile at Pakenham on March 2.
He is up in distance this weekend, but will appreciate coming back down to 57kg at set weights and has had the different form line into the race than the other best in betting.
Rounding out the first four are Cliff Hanger ($8.50) and Hardham ($9.50) drawn in barriers nine and eleven respectively.
Lee & Anthony Freedman’s Canford Cliffs gelding Cliff Hanger was runner-up to Farson in the Autumn Classic and is another that should see out the extra metres in the rematch.
Hardham is a Redoute’s Choice colt prepared by Mornington trainer David Brideoake, the youngster down in class after his seventh behind Inference in the mud in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m).
A firmer track will suit better on Friday night, but Hardham only has winning form up to 1200m to date so how he goes over the distance will be key to his chances.
Miss Strathallan ($10) shapes-up as a hope for the in-form Lindsay Park stable, the Sebring filly looking to improve on her fourth in the Autumn Classic.
The other best in betting is the consistent Sunday Pray ($11) who has finished top two in his three latest runs, the son of Manhattan Rain’s latest effort seeing him carrying 59.5kg to a nearly four length win over 1500m at Cranbourne.
Check out the full Alister Clark Stakes 2017 field, barriers and odds below before following the links to Ladbrokes.com.au to back your Friday night Moonee Valley racing selections at the right price.
