A two-time Group 1 champion, Mongolian Khan has been set on a course towards the Spring Carnival’s headline races this time but interestingly continues to drift in 2015 Caulfield Stakes betting markets.
Mongolian Khan is on the slide in 2015 Caulfield Stakes betting markets. Photo: Steve Hart
Mongolian Khan was installed at odds of $8.50 when Caulfield Stakes betting markets were finalised earlier this week, but punters are yet to offer much more than a sprinkling of interest for the talented kiwi raider despite his favourable allocation of barrier 2 and a race-low 58kgs.
Mongolian Khan debuted to racing for an impressive win in the Teraparacing.co.nz Maiden (1400m) in September last year, and while unable to figure in the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) in early October, responded well in taking out each of the Magnum Mile (1600m) and Listed Guineas Prelude (2100m).
Returning this year for consecutive wins in the Group 2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) and Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m), the Holy Roman Emperor entire stamped himself as a serious stallion prospect when charging home to win the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) on February 28th.
Having booked a ticket across the Tasman for the first time with that performance, Mongolian Khan ran on for fifth in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on March 21st before returning to the winner’s circle in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) on Day 1 of The Championships.
Clearly requiring more distance when seventh in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) first-up this time, Mongolian Khan was particularly impressive when charging home for fourth in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) last time out and figures as particularly great value in 2015 Caulfield Stakes betting markets at current $10 odds for success.
Godolphin runner Contributer is yet to find peak condition this time and has undoubtedly experienced the greatest slide in 2015 Caulfield Stakes betting markets; blowing out from an opening quote of $4.60 to currently rest at $10 odds.
Contributer immediately announced his racing arrival upon debuting in Australia last spring; charging home to win the Group 3 David Jones Cup (2000m) before placing mid-pack in the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m).
Undoubtedly the standout for Godolphin through autumn, the High Chaparral entire returned for success in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) before taking out each of the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) and Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m).
Contributer clearly did not relish the Moonee Valley conditions first-up when sixth in the Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m), and finished two and a half lengths of the pace in sixth in the Underwood Stakes last time.
Contributer will leave from the rails draw in the Caulfield Stakes with leading hoop Blake Shinn in the saddle for the first time.
Kermadec ($3.10) continues to lead 2015 Caulfield Stakes betting at Ladbrokes ahead of Fawkner ($4) and Pornichet ($6.50)
