Douro Valley can score at generous odds
Weekly preview 
/ Kristen Manning / 08 October 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market
I admit to some partiality here - I am a part owner - but Douro Valley has a great chance in the Yalumba Stakes, writes Kristen Manning.
At this stage the same big price he was in the same race last year, Douro Valley did not put in as good an Underwood run as he did in 2008 but, as an eight-year-old he may just be taking a bit longer to strike fitness.
The blinkers come off on Saturday and Dan Nikolic was impressed enough by his first up run to stick with him.
Likely to work forward from his outside gate, Douro Valley should give punters a sight at big odds although there is no doubt that this year's edition of the race has greater depth.
Favourite Whobegotyou is the obvious one to beat. As honest as they come - in the first two at each of his four runs this campaign, he is proven at the 2000m and he loves Caulfield. There is not however a lot of natural speed here and he is likely to get back.
The Underwood form must always be respected in this and Heart Of Dreams won that race in determined style. This is his first crack at 2000m but his breeding (his grandam a Ballarat Cup winner) suggests he will run it out and he too shows a real affinity for the Caulfield track.
The two favourites look to have clear credentials over their rivals here but Master O'Reilly may well run a good race. The concern is his missed Turnbull run with a cold but he had been shaping well previously and of course he enjoyed his biggest success at this track - the 2007 Caulfield Cup.
---------------------------------------
The Betfair tip of the weekend is Douro Valley in the Yalumba Stakes. To go to the market, click here.
|
