Saturday's Penny Edition is set to be another fantastic edition of the race which has been won by some champion horses this century including Group 1 winners Fields of Omagh. Alcopop and Southern Speed.
Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes winner Gailo Chop looks set to take his place in Saturday's field as he looks towards this year's Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. The Darren Weir trained gelding is the class horse of the race but has not won under 1600m in his career. Weir also has Chocolate Holic in the race but he is a dual acceptor for races at Caulfield on Saturday.
The Hayes' & Dabernig stable have the early favourite and Group 2 winner He or She in the field along with Group 1 winner Risque who is also a dual acceptor for Caulfield.
In previous years, the form from the Group 3 Spring Stakes has been a good guide for the Penny Edition and we have the first three place getters from that race all in the field for Saturday including winner Mio Dio. Mio Dio is yet to win a race over 1400m in eight starts, while Spring Stakes runner-up Lord Aspen has won three races over 1400m including the Listed Hilton Stakes at Flemington.
Depending on scratchings, Phillip Stokes could have three runners in the race including Group 2 winner Serenely Discreet and new addition to the stable, I Am Zelady.
Ken Sweeney has won the Penny Edition three times over his career, once with Riziz who will saddle up again in the race. The gelding has a sensational record in this race, recording a win in 2015 and two seconds in 2014 and 2016.
Jockey Paul Gatt has won this race three times, the first being back in 1998 aboard Bodacious Babe and he will ride the Phillip Stokes trained I Am Zelady who he teamed up to win the 2005 edition on Squillani.
Prevous WInners of the Penny Edition Stakes
Year | Horse | Price | Previous Run | Run in Prep |
2016 | Rocket Commander | $6.40 | 3rd 1200m Group 3 Spring Stakes Morphettville | 2nd |
2015 | Riziz | $5.10 | 4th 1200m Group 3 Spring Stakes Morphettville | 8th |
2014 | Justify That | $15.60 | 1st 1400m BM90 Morphettville | 7th |
2013 | Golden Penny | $11 | 3rd 1200m Group 3 Spring Stakes Morphettville | 2nd |
2012 | Southern Speed | $2.10F | 3rd 1200m Group 3 Spring Stakes Morphettville | 2nd |
2011 | Alcopop | $7.40 | 5th 1200m Group 3 Spring Stakes Morphettville | 2nd |
Seven runners from the Spring Stakes are set to line up in the Penny Edition and going on previous years, all would be in with a shot to take victory with five of the last six winners of the Penny Edition coming through the Spring Stakes. The seven runners are: Mio Dio (1st), Lord Aspen (2nd), Casino Wizard (3rd), Riziz (4th), Daytona Grey (5th), I Am Zelady (7th) and Hermosa Beach (8th)
Four of the past six winners have been second up in their preparation and seven starters will be second up on Saturday.
Lord Aspen, Casino Wizard, I Am Zelady and Hermosa Beach are the four runners in the race that are second up and coming off Spring Stakes runs, with Lord Aspen and Hermosa Beach two runners who have multiple wins over the 1400m.
UBET Penny Edition Market
$5 - Casino Wizard, He or She
$5.50 - Mio Dio
$6.50 - Lord Aspen
$9 - Chocolate Holic
$11 - I Am Zelady
$14 - Gailo Chop, Serenely Discreet
$21+ - All Others