The Group 2 Schweppes Stakes is one of the premier short to middle distance races in the country. It may not have the prestige of Group 1 races such as the Manikato Stakes, but there is still $200,000 in prizemoney, and the race attracts big name sprinters each year. Famous winners of this race include Our Egyptian Raine, Miss Andretti and Lucky Secret. Several winners of this race have gone on to win the Salinger Stakes on Victoria Derby Day.
It comes as no surprise that Apache Cat is racing here. The 7 year old veteran of 40 starts can always be found at big short distance races throughout Victoria and New South Wales. The Schillaci Stakes is always considered a good guide as to how horses will race in the Schweppes Stakes and, after finishing 2nd in the Schillaci, Apache Cat is one of the favoured horses here ($3.80) and will challenge Lucky Secret for favouritism.
As mentioned earlier, Lucky Secret won this race last year, and now he’s back for more. Usually when a horse attempts a Group 2 he has won earlier it shows that he has progressed little in the year that has passed. However, this is not the case with Lucky Secret. He has won more races and performed well even in Group 1 races. His effort in the Manikato Stakes was disappointing, but his win in the Schillaci Stakes has seen him jump to favouritism here with Betfair at $3.75
Unlike Apache Cat and Lucky Secret, Danleigh performed in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes, winning the race. The 6 year old gelding is able to go a bit further than some of the other horses in this race, and this might show in the last few hundred metres. Danleigh is currently at $11.00 with Betfair.
Mic Mac is at $7.50, the closest in betting to Apache Cat and Lucky Secret. He has had a long carnival, racing since the start of August, and has already secured two wins, including the Group 2 Memsie Stakes. His performance in the Manikato Stakes was ok, finishing 5th, but he can, and should, do better here.
This will be a great race, with so many good horses racing. I think Mic Mac might be a surprise winner, having only lost 3 of his 10 races. Lucky Secret and Apache Cat will be up there, and both of them could easily win. For a little value, Danleigh is at $11.00 despite beating many of these horses in the Manikato Stakes.
MY TIPS:
Mic Mac
Lucky Secret
Apache Cat
Danleigh
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