Beneteau to start Diamond favourite
02/18/2010 06:19:47 AM
New South Wales raider Beneteau remains a firm favourite for Saturday's $1 million Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield with the star colt set to start as short as $3.20.
Support for Beneteau, who drew barrier nine, has been strong all week and he is set to start a clear favourite in Victoria's richest two-year-old race.
While some bookmakers are still offering odds of $3.50 for the son of 1999 winner Redoute's Choice, he is expected to start much shorter by the time the race is run.
"Eight in every 10 bets we've taken today have been on Beneteau, including one of $30,000 at $3.50 on the star Sydney colt," Sportsbet.com.au's Haydn Lane said.
Psychologist, attempting to become the first filly to win the race at just her second start, is $7.50 along with Star Witness, who was backed heavily before drawing barrier 15.
"Star Witness, who was plunged on at $17 in early markets, is also a very bad result. However, both he and the filly Psychologist have been unwanted since their poor draws," Lane said.
Crystal Lily is the other runner under double figures, while Peter Snowden's Secession and David Hayes' Shaheeq are both afforded chances.
Leon Corstens' colt Tricky Tricky was scratched from the race on Thursday morning.