Punishing has been backed into 2015 Phelan Ready Stakes odds of $2.40 and the Liam Birchley-trained colt is set to start the Listed event at Doomben tomorrow as a clear favourite.
Punishing made his racing debut in the Coca Cola Amatil Plate (1050m) at Doomben on October 3 and he did plenty wrong, but was still able to hit the line strongly to finish third behind Dieters and Vulpini before he stamped himself as a genuine Phelan Ready Stakes contender with a dominant three and a half lengths win in the DPMA Handicap (1110m) at the same venue on October 24.
The son of Not A Single Doubt was allocated the outside barrier when the Phelan Ready Stakes field was released earlier in the week, but that has not stopped punters diving in and he has been backed from $2.80 into $2.40.
Sundance is currently on the second line of betting at a quote of $5.50 and he has drawn ideally to record a maiden race win following his second place finish on debut behind Emtevee Queen in the Sky Racing Handicap (1050m) at Doomben on November 28.
Kubis was not particularly impressive on debut, but the Robert Heathcote-trained galloper has still been well supported in Phelan Ready Stakes betting markets.
The Love Conquers All gelding never looked like a winning chance when he finished fifth in the Sky Racing Handicap and it would not surprise if he was a big drifter in the lead-up to the Phelan Ready Stakes.
The only other horse that is available at single figure Phelan Ready Stakes odds is Star Of Pompeii, who will be ridden by leading Melbourne-based hoop Glen Boss.
Star Of Pompeii started the DPMA Handicap as a short-priced favourite and he took up the running in the early stages of the race, but he failed to respond when he was asked for an extra effort and he could finish no better than seventh.
Punters are not overly keen to give the juvenile a second chance and he has drifted from $8.50 out to $9.
There has been a sprinkling of support in the 2015 Phelan Ready Stakes betting market for Burn Notice ($15 into $14), Par Oneri ($26 into $21) and General Cos ($51 into $34), while Sidereus Attacks ($14 out to $15), Sugar Ray Red ($31 out to $61), Beyond Brave ($13 out to $14), Sidere ($31 out to $34) and Jandama ($13 out to $15) have all been on the drift.