Racing: Street's ahead in betting

Jockey Buddy Lammas rides Wall Street to victory in 2009. Photo / Simon Baker

Cox Plate aspirant Wall Street held favouritism last night for New Zealand's first group one race of the season, the $200,000 Mudgway Stakes (1400m) at Hastings today.

The TAB had the exciting Manawatu galloper at $4.50 after he displaced Mufhasa at the head of the fixed odds market, with the feeling that he will cope with the expected slow track better. The track was a slow 8 yesterday.

Mufhasa was at $6 yesterday, with mares Pennacchio and Keep The Peace at $8 the only others in single figures.

Wall Street is nominated for the Cox Plate (2040m) and the Emirates Stakes (1600m) at the Melbourne spring carnival, but his appearance there will depend on how he performs in the Mudgway and the Windsor Park Plate (1600m), the second leg of the Hawkes Bay triple crown.

"These two races will tell us where we need to be going," trainer Jeff Lynds told the Herald.

He said Wall Street, the winner of eight of his 14 race starts, would have no problems with a slow track.

There will be plenty of interest in the performance of Miss Maren, who finished third in the Kelt Stakes last year, when trained by Mick Price of Melbourne.

The six-year-old Stravinsky mare has returned to her original trainers, Ken and Bev Kelso, of Matamata, as the owners chase a group one victory.

Ken Kelso said he was pleased with Miss Maren's work leading up to the Mudgway, but said the slow track was a worry.

"She has won over 1400m fresh in Aussie carrying 57kg in an open handicap but whether or not she is sharp enough to win a group one 1400m on a slow track is the question. I would doubt it."

The Spring Classic (formerly the Kelt) on October 2 is the main New Zealand target for Miss Maren.

But she has also been nominated for the Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate.

Kelso said the Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) in Melbourne on October 30 was also a tempting target if she performed well at home.

She finished second to Scenic Shot in the Mackinnon last year.

- NZPA