Top trainer David Payne is set to play David against Chris Waller’s Goliath team in tomorrow’s Chelmsford Stakes.
Payne, who has won three Chelmsford Stakes from five attempts, saddles Criterion. The stallion is $6.00 with online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au.
Waller trains six of the nine runners, including highly fancied Royal Descent ($3.80) and Sacred Falls ($4.80) and last year’s winner Hawkspur ($7.50). The Team Hawkes trained Entirely Platinum is an easing $3.40 favourite.
“Payne has an outstanding record in this race and Criterion was an eye-catcher in his first-up run. Waller is the dominant player in Sydney racing, but even with the numbers he doesn’t have the Chelmsford at his mercy,” sportsbet.com.au’s Will Byrne said.
Waller fans can bet on just his runners. The online bookie is offering $2.25 for Royal Descent to be the first Waller horse home. Waller is also $1.50 to train the winner with any other trainer $2.50.
Market courtesy of sportsbet.com.au
Chelmsford Stakes
$3.40 Entirely Platinum (out from $3.30)
$3.80 Royal Descent (out from $3.60)
$4.80 Sacred Falls (steady)
$6.00 Criterion (steady)
$7.50 Hawkspur (in from $8.00)
$26 Moriarty (steady)
$26 Bagman (steady)
$34 Junoob (steady)
$51 Laser Hawk (out from $41)
C Waller v Any Other Trainer
$1.50 Chris Waller to train the winner
$2.50 Any Other Trainer to win the Chelmsford Stakes
First Waller runner home
$2.25 Royal Descent
$2.75 Sacred Falls
$4.25 Hawkspur
$15 Moriarty
$17 Bagman
$51 Junoob