Deep Field has remained steady at 2015 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes odds of $2.15 and is still a narrow favourite to record a maiden win at Group 1 level at Flemington this afternoon.
Deep Field is set to start the 2015 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes as favourite. Photo by: Steve Hart
Deep Field opened at a quote of $2.30 when the 2015 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes field was released on Wednesday, but there has been consistent support for the undefeated sprinter and the majority of punters will be in his corner.
Team Hawkes have a big opinion of Deep Field and are confident that he can stamp himself as one of the best sprinters in the world this preparation, but admit that he will be facing the toughest test of his career to date in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes.
“We are under no illusions, it is not going to be an easy race and we are going to have to work for it,” Hawkes told RSN earlier in the week.
“Lankan Rupee has won ten races, $3.5 million and he is a proper Group 1 horse.
“Being champion sprinter of the world it is no easy tag to go and get.
“We are just a boy heading into the deep end for the first time and we are mindful and respectful of all those issues.”
Lankan Rupee is on the second line of Black Caviar Lightning Stakes betting markets and has drifted out to a quote of $2.50 after opening at $2.35 earlier in the weekend.
The Redoute’s Choice gelding did not perform at his best during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival and was restricted to just one win in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m), but jockey Craig Newitt is adamant that the five-year-old is the best horse in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes field.
“He looks like he has come back exceptionally well and I haven’t heard one bad report about him,” Newitt said.
“We will go there tomorrow at Flemington very confident that he can produce and be very hard to beat.
“From all reports he has had the perfect preparation, which is good to hear because I know ability wise he is the best horse there.
“Hopefully everything goes smoothly and if gets a nice run in the race I am sure that he will be very hard to beat.”
The only other horse that is available at single figure Black Caviar Lightning Stakes odds is talented three-year-old Brazen Beau, who is back out to $5.50 after shortening into $5 24 hours ago.
Jockey Craig Williams is very bullish about the chances of Brazen Beau in the Black Caviar Lighting Stakes, but trainer Chris Waller revealed earlier that he is not sure whether the colt can beat Deep Field and Lankan Rupee this afternoon.
“Gee it is a good race,” Waller said.
“He had a jump out eight days prior to this race on Saturday and he just followed them around, but he did enough for me.
“I don’t think that he can win on Saturday, but he is a good horse and you shouldn’t underestimate good horses.
“I think that the Newmarket will really suit him in three weeks’ time and he could surprise us, he is a very good horse.”
The Quarterback ($21 out to $31), Watermans Bay ($31 out to $41) and Fab Fevola ($67 out to $101) have all been on the drift in the past 24 hours and are given very little chance by the majority of punters.
