Godolphin’s English import Contributer has retained favouritism for the Group 1 $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday even though he has drawn the outside barrier.
Ranvet Stakes winner Contributer, above, is the early favourite for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Contributer landed with barrier thirteen as he chases his third Group 1 win on the trot on the second day of ‘The Championships’.
Bookmakers at Ladbrokes.com.au have Contributer marked at $3.60 just ahead of the two Japanese gallopers To The World at $4 and Tosen Stardom at $7.
The John O’Shea trained Contributer is unbeaten at his three runs this Autumn Carnival campaign and resumed from a spell to win the Group 2 $250,000 Optus Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on February 14.
The High Chaparral stallion then went on to claim a Group 1 double with wins in the $500,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm on February 28 and the $500,000 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 21.
Second favourite To The World will be dropping back in distance after running second to Contributer’s stablemate Hartnell in the Group 1 $1.5m The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on March 28.
Two of To The World’s four wins have been over the Queen Elizabeth Stakes distance of 2000m and he is also Group 1 placed in Japan after running second two starts back in the US$4m Arima Kinen (Grand Prix) (2500m) at Nakayama, Japan on December 28.
Tosen Stardom lost no admirers when second at his first Australian start to Contributer in the Ranvet Stakes with Tommy Berry aboard.
Berry will have the reins again and will be looking for more Autumn Carnival Group 1 wins after collecting the $3.5m Tooheys New Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on the Gai Waterhouse trained Vancouver as well as the $2.5m Darley T J Smith Stakes (1200m) on Chautauqua at Randwick at ‘The Championships’ postponed meeting on Monday.
The David Hayes and Tom Dabernig trained Criterion is next in the market order at $8 and showed that he isn’t far off a win with two Group 1 placings this campaign.
The Sebring stallion resumed for a third to Cosmic Endeavour in the Group 1 $500,000 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on March 7 followed by a second to Real Impact in the Group 1 $1m George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 21.
Cox Plate winner Adelaide, now prepared by leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller, will be attempting to win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes first up and is currently a $9 chance.
Queen Elizabeth Stakes market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.60 Contributer, $4 To The World, $7 Tosen Stardom, $8 Criterion, $9 Adelaide, $15 Lucia Valentina, $17 Royal Descent, $21 Beaten Up, Spillway, $31 Red Cadeaux, $51 Happy Trails, Fiveandahalfstar, $201 Aomen.
