South Australian galloper Morvada is over the odds – again – at Flemington on Saturday, according to his trainer Peter Jolly.
Despite stepping out to his pet 1400m distance, the spritely eight-year-old is around 20/1 in the Listed The Elms Handicap with online bookmakers.
After a first-up fourth behind Kemalpasa, Behemoth and company in the Durbridge Stakes (1100m) in Adelaide last start, Morvada brings a solid second-up record and strong Flemington form to his assignment.
“One thing about him, he’s never fancied, but he’s always thereabouts and a good price,” said Jolly.
“I reckon he’s always over the odds when he races in Melbourne, when you look at his record.
“He’s pretty good at Flemington too. He’s always a good each-way bet.”
Morvada last raced on January 29 and had a jumpout on Tuesday to prepare for tomorrow’s race.
Jolly says his stable star has progressed well since the Durbridge run and is even showing a few new tricks, despite his veteran status.
“He’s not an 1100m horse, he’s a 1400m horse, so I’ve been quite surprised that this time in he’s shown more speed over a shorter trip,” he said.
“He doesn’t normally do that, but he’s come up really well this time, so I’m very happy with him.”
Lindsey Smith’s picket-fence sprinter, Corner Pocket, is the early favourite in most markets, chasing eight successive wins.
To be ridden by Linda Meech, Morvada is joined in the field by fellow SA galloper, the All Star Mile-bound Regalo Di Gaetano, trained by Jolly’s son Richard and granddaughter Chantelle.
After tomorrow’s run, Morvada is likely to target back-to-back wins in the Group 3 Shaftsbury Avenue Handicap, also over 1400m at Flemington, on March 12.
“He won that last year and the year before he ran second,” Jolly said.
“So he’s obviously got a good record in that and all going well that’s where we’ll head again this year.”
The Elms Handicap is likely to impact the All Star Mile market, with confirmed Mile runners Regalo Di Gaetano, Mr Brightside, Elephant and King Magnus – elevated into the field earlier this week after the retirement of Probabeel – all engaged.