The Darren Weir trained Tahanee has been promoted to the top of the betting following the late scratching of Falika from the Group 2 $300,000 7News Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington today.

Tahanee, above, is the new favourite for the Matriarch Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Tahanee, above, is the new favourite for the Matriarch Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Falika was at the top of the market order at $4.80 with Ladbrokes.com.au before she was forced out the field on vet’s advice this morning which left Tahanee as the $5 favourite for the 2000m contest for the mares.

Tahanee is backing up after winning the Mares Trophy over 1700m at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday and will jump from barrier seven with Damian Lane in the saddle.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained mares Prompt Response and Savapinski are now sharing the second line of betting at $5.50 each.

Prompt Response will jump from barrier two with Blake Shinn in the saddle and has put in two good recent runs with a third to Quilate in the Group 3 $150,000 Ladies’ Day Vase (1600m) at Caulfield on October 18 followed by a fourth to Shoals in the Group 1 $500,000 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington last Saturday.

“She runs in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes having run a huge race in the Group 1 Myer Stakes last week. The step up in trip is sure to suit and expect another bold showing, on form she is the one to beat. A strong winning chance,” Waterhouse wrote on her website.

Waterhouse and Bott are also keen on the chances of Savapinski who has drawn awkwardly at barrier eleven with Brenton Avdulla booked to ride.

“She too runs in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes and on the back of her last run, she has an excellent chance. She will be ridden on the speed and we see no reason why she will not see out the distance. She will go very close at nice odds,” Waterhouse wrote.

Savapinski is coming off a last start second to Lubiton in the Group 3 $150,000 Powerflo Solutions Stakes (1600m) at The Valley on October 28.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.