Talented filly Gregers is currently available at 2014 Cockram Stakes odds of $2.70 and she is a clear favourite to record her second win at Group level at Caulfield on Saturday.
Gregers started her spring campaign with a dominant victory at Caulfield a fortnight ago. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
The Cockram Stakes has drawn a very strong field of talented mares, but Gregers opened as an overwhelming favourite and she has been well supported since betting opened on Wednesday afternoon.
Gregers started her 2014 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with a dominant three and a half lengths win over Members Joy and Bloomingdale Miss in the Australian Defence Force Handicap (1100m) at Caulfield on August 16 and trainer David Hayes told RSN that she has taken plenty of benefit out of the run heading into the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) this weekend.
“It is a hot mares race and she is probably one of the ones that has made it hot,” Hayes said.
“I have a lot of respect for Leon Corstens’ horse and Pete Moody’s horse, but I suppose the Group races coming into the spring are hard.
“Her win was fantastic the other day, it was like a trial.
“She was a bit light on the feed bin going into that race, but she has come out of it licking the bin and thriving.
“Sometimes the run stimulates these fillies.”
Gregers has competed at the highest level of racing since she made her debut as a two-year-old in February of 2013, but she has only been able to record a single victory at Group level.
The Commands mare made her Group 1 debut with a credible fourth behind Miracles Of Life in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 23 last year and she was beaten as a short-priced favourite in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) in the third start of her spring campaign at Flemington before scoring a maiden win at Group level in the Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield on September 21.
Gregers finished third behind Guelph in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 16 and was sent to the spelling paddock after finishing second in the Group 2 Don’t Hold Back Fillies Classic (1600m) at Moonee Valley on October 25.
The classy mare started her autumn campaign with an impressive fourth behind Lankan Rupee in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 22 and was a consistent perform at Group 1 level; finishing fourth in the William Reid Stakes (1200m), third in the Robert Sangster Classic (1200m) and fourth in The Goodwood (1200m).
A Time For Julia ($4.80) is on the second line of the 2014 Cockram Stakes betting market with Ladbrokes Australia, while there has been a sprinkling of support for Magic Millions Classic winner Real Surreal ($5.50).
