The 2014 Canterbury Stakes odds of Red Tracer have shortened dramatically; with the classy mare backed into a quote of $4.20 after being available at a price as long as $5.50 earlier in the week.
Red Tracer will face stablemates Zoustar, Sacred Falls and My Kingdom Of Fife in the Canterbury Stakes this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
Red Tracer was the star mare of the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival, winning both the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Myer Classic (1400m) in impressive fashion, and returned to the races with a very comfortable win in the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 1.
The Dane Shadow mare is arguably the best wet-tracker in Australia and with the Royal Randwick track currently rated as a slow seven, the support has come for the six-year-old.
Trainer Chris Waller has four runners in the Canterbury Stakes this weekend and believes the conditions and the expected quick tempo could play into the hands of Red Tracer, rather than her more fancied stablemate Zoustar.
“If she did beat Zoustar, the first thing that you would say is that she was beaten by a very good mare that is rock hard fit,” Waller told Racing Ahead this morning.
“She has got a great chance, she is fit and she does handle all conditions if we get a bit of rain.
“If they run along, which looks likely with Rain Affair, it will set the race up for her there is no doubt about that.
“She can just take a position anywhere and if anything she has been a bit keen in her races.
“Last start she overraced and even when she won the Myer she overraced.
“A bit of speed on might just play into her hands and make it a good 1300 metre test.”
Waller did not go as far as to say that he expects Red Tracer to beat Zoustar in the Canterbury Stakes on Saturday, but he admits that the son of Northern Meteor will have to step-up to reach the level of his star mare.
“Number one is clearly Zoustar, but he has got to go where Red Tracer has been for the last 12 months of her career and that is consistent Group 1 racing against the older horses.
“He certainly has the potential to improve, but Red Tracer doesn’t need to improve, she is already there.”
Red Tracer has the opportunity to record her third victory at Group 1 level after taking out the Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm during the 2013 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival and the Myer Classic at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day.
