Wednesday, 3 March 2010: Popular galloper El Segundo has continued to firm in betting as he makes his autumn return in Saturday's Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.
 | | Photo by Bronwen Healy | |
|
The talented gelding, a rising nine-year-old, is yet to win at Flemington but has run some good races up the straight track and has gradually firmed in price through betting, from an opening $41.00 to currently sit at $16.00 after today's barrier draw.
Prepared by Colin Little,
El Segundo 
drew barrier 13 and will be out to break almost 100 years of history in trying to win the race first-up from a spell, the last to do so Polycrates in 1917.
While Little isn't expecting a boilover, he did note
El Segundo looks attractively weighted with 56.5kg given he ran so well for third behind Mic Mac at his last fresh-up run carrying 63.5kg.
“It's a significant weight drop,” Little said. “He's never been known as a 1200m horse but does run well fresh and does like the Flemington straight. I'd be surprised if he could beat them but he shouldn't be far away.”
Little has engaged in-form heavyweight rider Steven Arnold, who won last year's race on Scenic Blast.
Little said
El Segundo will have a very light autumn campaign but was considering a July Cup start in the UK should he run well enough in the Newmarket.
All Silent remains the $4.50 favourite in betting following his barrier draw of 17, while second favourite
Starspangledbanner drew barrier nine and remains at $7.50.
Nicconi is third favourite at $9.00 and drew gate 16.
