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The Tancred Stakes has drawn a field of just eleven stayers to Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, March 30th.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
European raider Post Impressionist completed an ideal Australian debut when greeting the judge in last weekend's NE Manion Cup at this track and trip, but he'll need to go to another level to see off the challenges of horses like Buckaroo, Ashrun and Tom Kitten in this Group 1 feature
I've run the rule over every horse engaged, and you can find my full Tancred Stakes preview below.
2024 Tancred Stakes Betting Strategy
► 2 Units Ashrun (Each Way)
1 – Buckaroo (7)
Buckaroo is on the short back-up from a credible run for third in last weekend's Ranvet Stakes.
The Fastnet Rock entire has been fair without setting the world on fire since arriving in Australia, but should relish getting out to the mile and a half this week.
He has attracted some interest in early Tancred Stakes betting.
2 – Military Mission (10)
Military Mission was a strong and consistent performer during the Spring Carnival, and bookended a credible run for tenth in the Melbourne Cup with wins in the Herbert Power and the Zipping Classic.
Having returned to action to fill the minors behind stablemate Serpentine in the Randwick City Stakes, he was well beaten by Via Sistina in the Ravet Stakes last weekend.
Big improvement would be required for him to be in the finish this weekend.
3 – Ashrun (1)
Turned in some really nice performances during the Spring Carnival after a long time off the track, ending his year fourth in the Melbourne Cup.
Having stripped fitter for a credible run behind Group 1 Dunkel at Caulfield last month, Ashrun was far too good for them in the Pakenham Cup last time out, and rates as a genuine Tancred Stakes trifecta chance, on his way to a Sydney Cup.
4 – More Felons (2)
More Felons arrived in Australia last spring to target the Melbourne Cup, ultimately finishing midfield under the urgings of Jamie Kah.
Having been sent off at long odds in the Parramatta Cup first-up this time, the Churchill gelding turned in a most pleasing performance to win, and I love that he has been kept up to the mark with a trial since then.
James McDonald jumps into the saddle giving the horse a big boost, and he could prove to be the value in Tancred Stakes betting at a double-figure price ($11 at publish).
5 – Post Impressionist (3)
Like so many other European stayers in recent Sydney Autumn Carnivals, Post Impressionist debuted in Australia for an impressive win in last weekend's NE Manion Cup over this route.
His form abroad was also good, having notched three wins from thirteen starts, placed a further four times and found form around some classy types.
Clearly, he is proven over the trip, but the $2.25 about him in Tancred Stakes betting is a touch of unders in my opinion.
6 – Gear Up (6)
Gear Up didn't fire a shot during his first Australian preparation, but has been vastly improved in two run back from a spell this time in.
That being said, he does face a big rise in class into the 2024 Tancred Stakes field, and the long odds that he has been installed at do look justified.
7 – Kalapour (5)
Kalapour needed his first run back when tenth, beaten eight lengths in the Parramatta Cup, but did turn in an improved performance in the Sky High Stakes last time out.
He faces another big rise in class into the Tancred Stakes field and would need to improve lengths to compete with some of these rivals.
8 – Bois D'Argent (4)
Bois D'Argent attracted a couple of big bets ahead of last weekend's Ranvet Stakes but was ultimately scratched.
His form last time in was inconsistent, but he did return to action with a decent performance for second, beaten a little under a length in the Randwick City Stakes.
He does have more appeal that a couple of the other stayers coming through that race, but he does look outclassed by a few in this Tancred Stakes field.
9 – Athabascan (11)
Athabascan has made two appearances at the races since returning from a spell, beaten more than fourteen lengths on aggregate.
Nothing short of a career-best performance would be required for him to fight out the finish of this race.
10 – Little Mix (8)
Little Mix is yet to run a placing in three weaker races this time in and has gone up the rank outsider in Tancred Stakes betting.
11 – Tom Kitten (9)
Tom Kitten is the sole three-year-old in the 2024 Tancred Stakes field and does look to be a key winning chance.
Having ended his 2023 campaign with a deserved and dominant win in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes, the Harry Angel colt has turned in some competitive performances in four runs back this time, and finished a length and a half behind Riff Rocket in last weekend's Rosehill Guineas.
With just 54kgs in tow and under the urgings of Jamie Kah, he's an interesting one getting out to the mile and a half for the first time.
