The 2013 Victoria Derby betting market changed significantly following the barrier draw yesterday and bargain colt Polanski has been one of the biggest beneficiaries.
Polanski and San Diego have been the two best backed runners in 2013 Victoria Derby betting markets. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Polanski was available at odds of up to $10 before the barrier draw but has received plenty of support after drawing the inside barrier and is now into a quote of $6.50 with leading bookmakers.
The Rakti colt was purchased by trainer Robbie Laing at the 2012 Inglis Melbourne Autumn Yearling Sale for only $4000 but has already accumulated $269,565 in prizemoney and has the opportunity to triple that amount when he starts the Victoria Derby as one of the favourites at Flemington on Saturday.
Polanski will be going into the Group 1 event on the back of two straight victories in the Listed UCI Stakes (1800m) at Flemington and the Group 3 Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield and Laing believes that he has every right to be heading into the race full of confidence, especially after his star galloper drew the inside gate.
“I’ve got no reason to be negative,” Laing told AAP.
“He’s better in himself than he was in the Norman Robinson and he’s drawn a better barrier and Complacent and Savvy Nature have drawn out.
“This horse has got good early speed, we can use him to lob second or third in the run and then he’ll switch off.
“He won’t cover one inch of extra ground and he’s coming to his peak.”
Another reason for the support that Polanski has received in 2013 Victoria Derby betting markets may be the presence of leading jockey Hugh Bowman on his back.
Bowman has won two of the past three Victoria Derby’s, on Lion Tamer (2010) and Sangster (2011), and told Fairfax that he is confident that Polanski can give him a third victory in the time-honored race; with the leading jockey questioning the form lines coming out of the 2013 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).
”I was able to book myself on him straight away and it is very exciting to get on a live chance,” Bowman said.
‘It is hard to line up the form but I think the Sydney form might be suspect.
“I actually think they’re all pretty even and I know my bloke is a last-start winner and can stay.”
Savvy Nature ($4.80) remains a narrow favourite from Complacent ($5) in 2013 Victoria Derby betting markets but there has also been plenty of support for Polanski and San Diego ($6.50).
