The Showdown 2023 betting preview & top tips | Saturday, April 15

The 2023 edition of The Showdown – reserved for two-year-old progeny of Victorian-based stallions nominated for the VOBIS Sires Race Series – headlines the program out of Sandown on Saturday afternoon, with $1 million on the line.

A field of 13 juveniles have accepted for the 1200m event, with just four wins combined throughout the field, meaning the opportunity for someone to stand up and be counted is well and truly there.

Who will join the likes of Finance Tycoon and Kings Consort on The Showdown honour roll?

The Showdown 2023 odds

Having been a dominant 4.25-length winner at Bendigo on April 1, the Simon Zahra-trained Shesallshenanigans leads the call with online bookmakers offering up $3.20 for the two-time winner. Last-start winner Critique ($6.50), Picky ($7.50) and Butch Cassidy ($8.50) are the only other runners with a single-figure quote.

The Showdown 2023 speed map

As is usually the case in juvenile races, it will be the charge of the light brigade early on. Race favourite Shesallshenanigans will look to settle up on the bunny, along with fellow market fancies Critique, Butch Cassidy and Picky. Magic Mogul, Treasurway and Apache Song will join the likes of Elphinstone and Arizone Activist in taking a sit off the speed and looking to power home late.

Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for The Showdown 2023.

The Showdown preview & form

With plenty of pace engaged, we’re hoping Magic Mogul can take a sit off the speed and cause a boilover. The Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock-trained son of Written Tycoon beat all bar Esskay on debut in a field that had classy types like Tacito and Freakofnature engaged. He managed to lead on that occasion and bolted clear, only to be run down late over 1300m on a Soft 7 by Esskay, who looks to be above average. From barrier eight, if Joe Bowditch can land this bloke in the one-one on the back of a genuine tempo, we know he will handle the trip and track conditions (Heavy 8). With a well-timed sprint, Magic Mogul can run away with it.

Butch Cassidy is arguably the best horse in the race, despite being an $8.50 quote. He was stakes-placed on debut behind Princess Duhallow when flashing home late down the Flemington straight. He then came out and won with ease at Mornington, before heading to the Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes and being well beaten. He has shown the ability to sit on speed or take a sit and run on strongly, but from barrier 11 he will be forced to roll forward from the tricky gate. He has a strong turn of foot for an untapped colt, and as long as he does not get trapped wide throughout from the wide draw, this guy should be fighting out the finish.

Shesallshenanigans could not have been any more impressive when smashing a field at Bendigo that may not be as deep as what she faces on Saturday. This looks to be a touch harder, but from barrier five under Linda Meech, she draws to gain every advantage when leading. If the two-year-old Toronado filly can gain a relatively uncontested lead, she has shown she can offer a kick off a hot tempo. However, we expect she will be softened up in the running and left vulnerable inside the final furlong.

Critique came out and smashed a maiden field at Ballarat and can go on with the job here, while Picky, Apache Song and Treasurway all look a strong chance to break their maiden in a $1 million race.

The Showdown 2023 selections & best bets

• 4

  MAGIC MOGUL

• 1

  BUTCH CASSIDY

• 8

  SHESALLSHENANIGANS

• 2

  CRITIQUE

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