2016 Hollindale Stakes Day Betting Preview

This is an interesting race to start with for punters. Kraftwerk is a horse that always rates at a similar level and that level of performance will put him right in this race. He finished third behind Trubia and Lordag in his last start and the form coming out of that race has been strong. Londehero also comes out of a high-rating race and the step-up in trip to 1200 metres will suit. He is normally able to improve second-up and the early money is a promising sign. I am more than happy to back them both at their current prices.

3 Units Kraftwerk

3 Units Londehero

This is a very tough betting race and not one that I keen to get too invested it. There are questions marks over all the leading chances, but one horse that does standout from a betting perspective is Flying Charger. This is a step-up in class, but there was plenty of merit in his past two victories at Ipswich and he is a horse that knows what is required to win. He will need some luck from the gate, but he is worth the gamble at $14.

1 Unit Flying Charger

Impending could hardly have been more impressive when he one at Rosehill Gardens on debut and he was able to do it at both ends of the race. Godolphin odds-on favourites do not have a great record in recent months, but on that performance he looks to have a clear edge over the rest of this field and he is a genuine even money chance. The John Zielke duo of Spot The Diff and Royal Tithe are the main dangers, but I am happy to stick with Impending as my only bet in the race – although it is smaller than it would be if he was from another stable.

5 Units Impending

This is another very good betting race. Imposing Lass is on the path to the Queensland Oaks and she is a very progressive filly. She has produced an improved performance in each of her race starts and she can hit a new peak in this race that would prove very tough to beat. Queen Of Wands was far from disgraced in the Princess Stakes and I expect the form out of that race to be strong. I’m not sure the Gold Coast will suit and the wide draw isn’t ideal, but she is worth a saving bet at her current price. Self Esteem will likely be forced to cross the field and take up the running. This will put her in the best part of the track and she is a filly that is extremely fit.

4 Units Imposing Lass

1 Unit Queen Of Wands

1 Unit Self Esteem

This is another race with plenty of winning chances. It is not a race that I am overly keen to get involved in, but I can’t ignore the $6 on offer for Tina Melina. She was outstanding in quality mares races at the end of her summer preparation and she does have the ability to run well fresh. I am keen to back here already and I will only grow in confidence if there is support from the high-flying Tony Gollan stable.

2 Units Tina Melina

Hopfgarten and Worthy Cause fought out the finish in the Ascot Handicap and I expect the same to take place again on Saturday. Both horses will be suited by the step-up in trip and they will get the gun runs just behind the speed, but I believe that Worthy Cause is the better horse and has easily the most improvement in front of him. I am still happy to back them both. I am keen to have a small saver on Akavoroun. He failed to fire last preparation, but he is a horse with plenty of talent and he is always capable of a big run fresh.

4 Units Worthy Cause

2 Units Hopfgarten

1 Unit Akavoroun

The Hollindale Stakes is always an interesting race and this year’s race is no exception. Hauraki is a deserving favourite, but I can’t get him anywhere as short as $3.10 and there are a couple of other horses that stand out at their current prices. The best value horse for the entire day could be It’s Somewhat at $12. He beat Hauraki home in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, which was on a wetter track than he likes, and before that he took out the Ajax Stakes and Neville Sellwood Stakes. This race has always been on the agenda and isn’t an afterthought like it is for Hauraki. The most interesting horse on this entire card is Spiritjim, who is set to make his Australian racing debut. His has contested the Prix De l’Arc de Triomphe twice and his best European form would be more than good enough to win this race, but there is an obvious question mark over how he has settled in Australia.

3 Units It’s Somewhat

1 Unit Spiritjim

This is a great way to finish the day. Takedown and Santa Ana Lane bring the strongest form lines into this field and they are the class horses in the race. The horse I am most keen on is Takedown. He is yet to produce a poor performance since he had a throat operation and it took Japonisme and Counterattack to beat him in the Arrowfield Stakes. If he is able to replicate that performance then he will prove very tough to beat. Santa Ana Lane was very poor last start, but he is deserving of another chance. His performance before that in the South Pacific Classic was good enough to be more than competitive in this race and he may not have handled the quick back-up.

4 Units Takedown

3 Units Santa Ana Lane