Joe Pride-trained News Alert has further firmed in betting for the $100,000 Listed BMW Classic (1100m) at Canterbury this evening after the withdrawal of Stratford who will instead race on the Gold Coast tomorrow.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Stratford was a $3.20 favourite for the Stakes event at Canterbury this evening however Team Hawkes have instead elected to run the promising four-year-old in the $82,000 Class 6 Plate (1200m) on the Gold Coast.
The removal of Stratford from this evenings $100,000 Listed BMW Classic (1100m) has resulted in the Joe Pride-trained News Alert being installed as a $2.80 favourite with TAB Sportsbet Fixed Odds.
“He is spot on for his assignment tonight,” Pride said.
News Alert goes into the event off of a last start win in the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m) at Warwick Farm last month.
He has since had an 850m barrier trial at Randwick on January 3 in preparation for his third up run.
“It is probably not an ideal time of the year for a horse of his calibre to be up and I didn't want to run him against Rain Affair in the Carrington so here we are tonight,” Pride told Sky Sports Radio.
“I think he will probably start as a pretty dominant favourite. Stratford is out and the race is set up ideally for him.
“He is almost never out of the first three or four and any horse who can race at the level he is at and maintain that record has to be considered as a pretty fair racehorse.”
Following the Canterbury BMW Classic (1100m), News Alert will likely be given a freshen up with a view towards the autumn.
“Hopefully he can come through tonight well,” Pride said.
“We'll give him a little freshen up in the paddock of two or three weeks then aim him up at something during the carnival.
“He is a genuine carnival horse and there is not really much around for him after tonight.”
Stablemate Phenomenal Lass is equal second favourite at $4.60 for the event alongside the Matthew Dale-trained Unanimously.
