George Ryder Stakes preview & best bets | March 18, 2023

What	2023 George Ryder Stakes
Where	Rosehill Gardens Racecourse – James Ruse Dr, Rosehill NSW 2142
When	Saturday, March 18, 2023
Prizemoney	$1,000,000
Distance	1500m
Status	Group 1
Conditions	Weight For Age
2022 winner	Forbidden Love (9) \| T: Richard & Michael Freedman \| J: Hugh Bowman (57kg)
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The George Ryder Stakes is one of five Group 1 races on the Rosehill program and has Anamoe headlining a field of 11 gallopers set to line up for the 1500m journey, with eight of those already seeing top-tier success. Anamoe is on the charge for his ninth Group 1 win, while Artorius will be looking to find his third having taking out the Canterbury Stakes first-up. Fangirl will be looking to go one placing better on her Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes effort, while Levante is an interesting New Zealand raider set to line up for Ken & Bev Kelso, who just had Legarto take out the Group 1 Australian Guineas.

SEE ALSO: 2023 Golden Slipper betting preview & top tips

2023 GEORGE RYDER STAKES BETTING ODDS

As a shock to nobody, Anamoe has opened a short-priced favourite with online bookmakers at $1.70. It comes after back-to-back wins this preparation, the latest being his eighth Group 1 win in the Chipping Norton Stakes. Artorius finds himself on the second line of betting at $7 after charging home to score in the Canterbury Stakes, while Fangirl rounds out the horses in the single figures. The three-year-olds at the bottom of the page round out the best of the double-figure chances, with Golden Mile ($13), Osipenko ($18) and Communist ($19) sure to have some admirers.

2023 GEORGE RYDER STAKES SPEED MAP

There doesn’t look to be much early speed in this year’s George Ryder Stakes, meaning Electric Girl is likely to be the default leader – as she was in the Canterbury Stakes last time out. Converge should look to be positive from barrier six and possibly sit outside Electric Girl, while Fangirl should track across for a nice position. Kirwan’s Lane was back in the field last time out, which we can’t see happening with barrier five looking ideal to press up, as will Communist drawn to his inside. The other three-year-olds will be likely to track back, although Golden Mile was prominent in the Canterbury Stakes as well, meaning he could defy the barrier and go forward. Levante will be getting back from 10, with the big question mark on Anamoe and what James McDonald elects to do from the widest draw.

2023 GEORGE RYDER STAKES PREVIEW & FORM

We had Anamoe on top in the Chipping Norton Stakes last time he stepped out, but mentioned he wasn’t a betting prospect at the price. Well, the same can be said in this case. The map looks a tricky one to overcome; however, you wouldn’t want anyone else but James McDonald on board to navigate the situation. In the Chipping Norton Stakes, Anamoe showed a versatility that some punters claimed he didn’t have by swooping over the top of his rivals to score a dominant 1.3-length victory. He may well do something similar this weekend, but at this price, we’ll be looking for value elsewhere.

Levante is an ultra-consistent mare and deserves a ton of respect in this field. The each-way price on offer with online betting sites it too good to pass up. She’s won four Group 1s in New Zealand heading to this, which is clearly her toughest assignment, but was gutsy winning at Otaki on February 25 over the 1600m. She rounded them up nicely on that occasion and, although she’s traditionally been a sprinting type, held her own over the 1600m. The Kelso stable is absolutely flying at the moment, as is jockey Michael Dee, who is looking for his fourth Group 1 in as many weeks. Barrier 10 does look a tricky gate to overcome, but we’re willing to see if Dee can get this daughter of Proisir surging home into the money.

Artorius was terrific winning first-up and the 1500m doesn’t look like an issue, based on how he finished off in his win in the Canterbury Stakes. His small issue has to be gate one on Saturday; he’ll be powering home again but might need luck or a rails run to produce his best. His best is definitely good enough, and Mark Zahra is a great booking for the team after Zac Purton couldn’t return for the mount.

Osipenko has to be considered the best of the three-year-olds and looks a must for exotics. He would have started close to favourite in the Randwick Guineas had he gone around, but was scratched the morning of the race due to a temperature. He’s missed a run, but you’d trust the stable to have Osipenko ready to go despite the setback.