Ravello the forgotten horse in the Spring Champion Stakes
Tommy Berry believes Ravello is the forgotten horse in the Spring Champion Stakes, predicting he will defy his double-figure odds despite an outside draw.
An eye-catching sixth behind Ganbare in the Dulcify Quality (1500m) when he came from near-last on the turn, the John O’Shea-trained colt was poised to pounce from a better gate in the Gloaming Stakes (1800m) last start when he was squeezed out of the race.
Had the incident not happened, Berry has no doubt Ravello would have finished in the placings and been much shorter than his $18 quote for the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.
“He’s probably the forgotten horse because of the bad luck he’s had so far and to top that, he has drawn the outside gate,” Berry said.
“Last start I got him into a beautiful spot and just got knocked over at the top of the straight.
“I was only just starting to put the pressure on him and I’ve no doubt he would have run top two.”
By noted sire of stayers Savabeel, Ravello has given Berry every indication he will relish stepping up to a middle-distance on Saturday.
While unsure of tactics from the outside gate in 12, Berry is hoping the fact likely leader Raf Attack is drawn immediately to his inside will help him find a spot in the run.
“I’m not sure where we ride him on the weekend, it’s his grand final so I don’t think we’ll be taking him back to last,” he said.
“We’ll probably be hoping for a bit of luck. We’ve got one of the good chances drawn inside of us in Raf Attack, so I’ll leave it up to John (O’Shea) where he’d like me to ride him.
“But he’s a definite top-three chance and I’d say one of my best chances on the meeting.”
Gloaming Stakes runner up Tom Kitten is a clear-cut $2.30 favourite with online bookmakers for the Spring Champion after drawing barrier one, while Raf Attack is next best at $6.50.
Flight Stakes placegetter Tutta La Vita, the only filly in the race, is on the third line of betting at $7, ahead of Ganbare at $9.
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