Sydney Stakes best bets, top odds & free tips | October 15, 2022

The 2022 Sydney Stakes will feature a full field of 18 runners and five emergencies that will battle it out for the $2 million prize pool over 1200m on Saturday. The winner will take home just over $1 million in a race that has become the consolation for horses that don’t gain a slot in The Everest on the same day. This year’s Sydney Stakes field is one of the strongest we have seen for some time.

Online bookmakers have the James Cummings-trained Kementari as the current favourite at $3.90, followed closely by In The Congo at $5.50 on the second line of betting. Desleigh Forster’s Kingston Smith Cup winner, Apache Chase, sits on the third line of betting at $6.50, with Remarque and Waihaha Falls ($8) on the next line just ahead of Forbidden Love ($8.50).

We expect Apache Chase, Prime Candidate, Forbidden Love and In The Congo all to be pushed along from their barriers to try and take up the lead here. They will be closely followed by Remarque, Weona Smartone and Tycoonist, who will take up on-pace positions from inside barriers. Kementari and Gem Song are both likely to be in the midfield, with Swats That, Blondeau and Shelby Sixtysix rounding out the field at the back.

Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2022 Sydney Stakes.

The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained In the Congo looks very hard to beat in the 2022 Sydney Stakes, second-up after never really handling the tight-turning track at Moonee Valley first-up over 1000m. This son of Snitzel has two seconds from two second-up runs in his career, which tells us that he is always ready to go second-up. The Waterhouse & Bott combination always has its horses very fit, and if this race turns into more of a 1400m sprint, like we think, it will suit this guy down to the ground. Over 1200m, this gelding has four goes for three placings, but at 1400m he has beaten arguably the best horse in Australia right now, Anamoe. The booking of superstar jockey James McDonald, for a stable that he doesn’t ride for often, is a sign of intent from the trainers.

Forbidden Love will be on pace, just like In The Congo; however, the Michael Freedman-trained mare is much better over 1400m or 1500m. This five-year-old is also the first emergency for The Everest – so if there is one scratching there, she will be more than likely be running in the $15 million race instead of here. If this daughter of All Too Hard can cross easily from the second-widest barrier, there is every chance she could lead all the way and be too speedy and too classy for her rivals, but that is a big ‘if’.

READ: The Everest race preview & betting strategy

Ciaron Maher & David Eustace have chosen to bring their consistent but unlucky mare Swats That to the Sydney Stakes for only her second run in Sydney. This daughter of Shamus Award is her own worst enemy, as she gets right to the back in her races and always seems to find trouble running home. She has performed multiple times at Group 1 level before, and if she finds luck in running, she will be flying home late to stake her claim.

Godolphin’s race favourite, Kementari, shouldn’t be left out of any considerations, as he is a multiple Group 2 and 3 winner and he won the Group 1 Randwick Guineas as a three-year-old. This son of Lonhro will be very fit third-up and is a proven performer at this level, so keep him safe.

2022 Sydney Stakes selections & best bets

• 4

  IN THE CONGO

• 17

  FORBIDDEN LOVE

• 18

  SWATS THAT

• 2

  KEMENTARI

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