Plenty of talented spring gallopers resume racing in the 2017 Tramway Stakes this weekend in Sydney, but betting tips and odds on the Randwick clash are led by those boasting a fitness edge.
Ecuador has the chance to return to winning form in the Tramway Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart
Scheduled as the penultimate event on the Chelmsford Stakes Day card, this year’s Group 2 $200,000 Tramway Stakes (1400m) runs as Race 8 at 4:30pm (AEST) on Saturday afternoon.
It is a close affair in the top half of the Tramway Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au this season with the favourite Ecuador ($3.80) firming fast for the win.
The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained High Chaparral gelding may be a rising nine-year-old but his recent form suggests he still has plenty of zest for racing.
First-up Ecuador was third beaten under a length by the world’s best Winx in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes at the same track and distance he sees on the weekend.
He jumped $26 with the mare in the mix that day, but won’t be found at anywhere near that price for the Tramway Stakes as he looks to add to his nice second-up record (7-3-1-0).
Form around Winx is the one to follow, but the dangers in Tramway Stakes betting shape-up as the in-form Invincible Gem ($4.20) coming off a Missile Stakes win over triple Group 1 winner Le Romain and the resuming Happy Clapper ($4.80) whose lead-up trials have been outstanding.
So, will Ecuador get the job done for the punters or is there an upset Tramway Stakes result pending from the likes of Chris Waller’s well-weighted import Tom Melbourne ($6) or Hinchinbrook five-year-old The Virginian ($9.50)?
1st
#6 Ecuador ($3.80)
All going the well, the bookies look to have it spot-on and it is hard to go past the evergreen favourite. He strips fitter second-up after the third to Winx at the track / distance a fortnight back. Outstanding autumn form in Melbourne with thirds to Black Heart Bart in the CF Orr Stakes and Futurity Stakes, so 1400m is his best distance. Down from 59kg at WFA last start to 55kg on Saturday in another plus. Black-type winner at the 1400m here second-up last preparation and can repeat the feat on the weekend.
2nd
#7 Invincible Gem ($4.20)
Second favourite and looking at this progressive four-year-old mare’s record at Randwick, should be right in the finish. Beat star stablemate Le Romain home to win the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) first-up on August 5 and has been freshened-up for this. Rise in distance is a non-issue as she is two-from-two over 1400m. Took out the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) at Randwick in mid-February before the brave Randwick Guineas second in the mud. She will be improving and gets in well in the weights.
3rd
#4 Heavens Above ($21)
Looking for a bit of value turns up Tim Martin’s six-year-old mare Heaven’s Above. Her record is hit and miss no doubt, but when she’s on she is capable of big things proven by the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) win at Rosehill during the autumn. Only four lengths off Foxplay in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) in her last trip to Randwick, which was a better run than it looks on paper. Has trialled well and from gate four makes a nice sneaky place chance.
Whether you’re backing or sacking our insider Tramway Stakes 2017 tips make sure you have access to the best weekend racing odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au.
