A POOR barrier draw for Saturday's Group 1 Railway Stakes has not dampened punter's enthusiasm for the Chris Waller-trained Mackintosh ($6.50), which holds more than three times the amount of money at Sportsbet.com.au than favourite Perfect Reflection.
Consistent gelding He Or She ($13) has also received plenty of support Group 1 race at Ascot and is the second best-backed, while last-start Flemington winner Rageese and impressive West Aussie native Scales Of Justice are both friendless at $7.50.
Chris Waller will also send off last year's winner Good Project at a $19 quote, but is more optimistic about Mackintosh's chances of winning at Ascot despite drawing barrier 16.
“It makes it hard, but it's possible,” Waller said after hearing Mackintosh draw wide.
“We've got a good local jockey in Damien Oliver on board so there's plenty of local experience and he takes some good form into the race.”
“I had a leaning towards Mackintosh before hearing of the barrier draw but then again, Good Project won the race last year and he came from a very wide gate (11 of 14) so luck obviously plays a part.”
The punters might be rallying behind one Waller runner, but the champion trainer is not discounting the chances of going back-to-back with Good Project.
Waller believes he is taking two winning chances into the $1 million race.
Zac Purton got off Good Project in the Cantala (Stakes) and said he should have run third,” he said.
“It's pretty good form and both horses have only had the three runs this prep so we're not taking tired horses there.
“They've still got some speed in their legs.”
Market leader Perfect Reflection might still hold favouritism but it could be only a matter of time before the Waller runner takes over the top billing.
Sportsbet.com.au representative Christian Jantzen said the company will not be surprised if Mackintosh heads the market sometime before the start of the race.
“There's no sleepers, punters have let it be known Mackintosh is the one they want. Waller's four-year-old has been well backed and if the trend continues, he will probably start favourite,'' Jantzen said.
2016 Railway Stakes betting odds
Market courtesy of sportsbet.com.au
$5.00 Perfect Reflection
$6.50 Mackintosh
$7.50 Scales Of Justice
$7.50 Rageese
$8.00 Tradesman
$10 Disposition
$13 He Or She
$15 Liten In My Veins
$15 Heart Starter
$19 Good Project
$21 Kawi
$26 Ideal Image
$34 Great Shot (EM2)
$34 Neverland
$51 Zarantz (EM1)
$91 Balmont Girl
$81 Showy Chloe (EM3)
$101 Tick Tick Boom
$101 Pornichet