Chris Waller has another chance to cash-in at Rosehill on Saturday with not one, not two, but four top hopefuls in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes.
The champion trainer went big last week teaming up James McDonald and again has a strong hand to win a race he hasn’t won since 2013.
The blue colours of Godolphin are also looking to defend their crown with Avilius, making this one of the most exciting editions of the Ranvet to date.
We’ve done all the form below and provided our Ranvet Stakes best bets.
RANVET STAKES – WINNER
No. 5 Verry Elleegant – Bet Now: $4.40
James McDonald rode five winners last week at Rosehill – three of which came for trainer Chris Waller. He gets 57kg here aboard Verry Elleegant, who returns from a quick freshen up after running second behind Te Akau Shark in the Chipping Norton Stakes. The Kiwi galloper has won over the trip three times in her career including a win in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill last March. She’s also 2/2 on this track.
RANVET STAKES – 2ND
No. 6 Danzdanzdance – Bet Now: $10.00
This is a step up in class for Waller’s five-year-old mare, but this certainly isn’t beyond her. Danzdanzdance is having her third run back after failing to place in a Group 3 race at Randwick but looks well-suited to the distance having run third in last year’s Ranvet. Opie Bosson will be in the saddle once again and should look to get back early before swooping in late.
RANVET STAKES – 3RD
No. 1 Avilius – Bet Now: $3.80
Avilius has enjoyed a similar leadup to the one that brought Godolphin so much success last year. The three-time Group 1 winner goes into the Ranvet Stakes on the back of a run in the Australian Cup where he finished fifth with Dwayne Dunn in the saddle. Hugh Bowman takes over this time and he isn’t going as well as he was 12 months ago, but you can never write off Avilius’ closing speed from an inside barrier.
RANVET STAKES – 4TH
No. 8 Youngstar – Bet Now: $14.00
Kerrin McEvoy won this race last year aboard Avilius and there’s nothing stopping him from pulling off another special performance aboard Youngstar. The five-year-old resumes at the distance after running second at listed level earlier in the month and also has a win to her name over 2000 metres. This is a rise in grade, but this is still familiar company for the crowd favourite.