Shooting To Win has drifted back out to Hobartville Stakes odds of $4.60, but he remains favourite to make a winning return to racing in the Group 2 event at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon.
Shooting To Win is set to start the 2015 Hobartville Stakes as favourite. Photo by: Steve Hart
Shooting To Win was backed into as a short a quote as $4.20 yesterday, but was eased back out to $4.80 by bookmakers before he was quickly backed into $4.60.
The Northern Meteor colt will be returning to the races for the first time since he scored an upset win over Rich Enuff in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in October last year, but he gave the indication he was ready for a big autumn campaign when he recorded a smart win in a barrier trial at Royal Randwick on February 2.
Scissor Kick is currently on the second line of Hobartville Stakes betting markets at a quote of $5.50 and he will have a fitness edge over some of his main rivals in the race after he returned to racing with a win in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 7.
Trainer Paul Messara told Racing Ahead yesterday that he is happy with the physical condition of Scissor Kick, but believes that he will need plenty of luck in running to record his second straight win in the Hobartville Stakes.
“He has progressed well, he is in great shape and I am really happy with him heading into tomorrow,” Messara said.
“His work has been super, he hasn’t missed a beat and he has come through the race extremely well.
“Luck is running is going to play a huge part when you have a field of this quality and the run he gets in the race is going to be critical.
“Realistically from the draw that we have got I can’t see a strung out field and we have the option of going forward or back.
“I have to make up my mind on the day and it will depend on how the track is playing.
“It is a difficult decision to make.”
Hallowed Crown is currently on the third line of Hobartville Stakes betting and has remained relatively steady at a quote of $6, while Panzer Division ($7), talented Godolphin colt Sweynesse ($7.50) and Eskimo Prince Stakes runner-up Delectation ($9) are also available at single figure odds.
The clear market mover with Ladbrokes has been Chris Waller-trained Kermadec ($9), who is into $9 after being available at a quote of $9 earlier in the week.
Kermadec was also included in the nominations for the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington this afternoon, but Waller opted to keep the gelding in Sydney for the Hobartville Stakes.
The majority of the outsiders in the Hobartville Stakes field have all been on the drift and 2014 Crown Oaks runner-up Thunder Lady is now out to odds of $101.
