Only nine horses have been entered in the 2020 George Ryder Stakes, but it still shapes as one of the most interesting races of the weekend.
Te Akau Shark is a clear favourite in our George Ryder Stakes betting market following his excellent win in the Chipping Norton Stakes, but he won’t have things his own way in a contest that is packed full of quality.
We have analysed every runner in the Group 1 event and our complete 2020 George Ryder Stakes tips can be found below.
Happy Clapper
Happy Clapper continues to be a marvel, but he is starting to show some signs that he is not the elite horse that he once was. He hasn’t been disgraced in either the Apollo Stakes or the Chipping Norton Stakes, but the turn-of-foot required to win a race of this quality wasn’t really there when he needed it. I think that he will run a better race than his current odds of $17 suggest, but I’m not sure that he has the upside to win.
Te Akau Shark
Te Akau Shark is easily the horse to beat in the George Ryder Stakes. His first-up victory in the BCD Group Sprint in New Zealand was dominant and the way that he savaged the line to win the Chipping Norton Stakes first-up was truly outstanding. He ran all the fastest closing sectionals of the day in that contest and the scary thing for his rivals is that he still has the scope to improve on that performance. Anything better than even money is a good bet.
The Bostonian
The Bostonian claimed a third Group 1 victory with his win in the Canterbury Stakes and there was plenty to like about what was a career best performance. The question mark for The Bostonian is the step-up to 1500 metres. The majority of his best form has been over 1400 metres or shorter and I can’t back him in a race of this quality over 1500 metres.
Dreamforce
Dreamforce was well-backed in the lead-up to the Chipping Norton Stakes, but he faded late and could finish no better than eighth. Nash Rawiller should be able to control this race in the early stages, but Dreamforce is running out of excuses at Group 1 level and this does look slightly too tough for him.
Best Of Days
Best Of Days will return to the races for the first time since he finished third in the Kingston Town Classic. He failed to win a race during his Spring Racing Carnival campaign, but he wasn’t disgraced in any of those efforts. The imported galloper generally does require a few runs before he performs at his best and $26 does seem around the right price.
Alizee
The Canterbury Stakes looked like the perfect Group 1 race for Alizee, but she was never able to get into the race and she was beaten by more than 11 lengths. Her best form would have her in this contest and there was some merit in her victory in the Apollo Stakes. In saying that, it is tough to back her off her last start effort in a race of this quality.
Super Seth
Super Seth is the x-factor in the Chipping Norton Stakes field. He suffered from an elevated temperature that saw him miss both the Randwick Guineas and The All-Star Mile and there is no doubt that he has had a disrupted preparation for this race. Anthony Freedman has given him a barrier trial since he finished a close second behind Streets Of Avalon in the Futurity Stakes and he did look ready for his racing return. He is the main danger to Te Akau Shark.
Brandenburg
Brandenburg has gone to another level during his Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign. He won the Hobartville Stakes at big odds first-up and he wasn’t beaten far in the Randwick Guineas. The George Ryder Stakes is a step-up in quality again and I am not sure that he has the upside to mix it with the likes of Te Akau Shark or Brandenburg.
Spend
Spend is the extreme outsider of the George Ryder Stakes field and I think that he is a better chance than his big odds suggest. This is a big step-up in class, but he has recorded two wins from his four race starts and he clearly does have upside. The $8.50 available for him to sneak into the placings is far from the worst bet in this field.
George Ryder Stakes Tips
2 Te Akau Shark at $2.00