First Command Backed Despite Draw

Friday, 21 January 2011 06:45

A horror barrier draw hasn't frightened punters as First Command has been well backed to win Saturday's Group One Telegraph Handicap in New Zealand.

Sportingbet Australia reported good support for the Lee Freedman-trained sprinter on Friday while he has also firmed with TAB Sportsbet since markets opened for the 1200m feature at Trentham.

First Command came up with barrier 24 in the field of 18 plus six reserves.

The last-start Listed Laurie Cleary Stakes (1200m) winner has firmed from $7.50 to $7 with Sportingbet Australia while his price has been trimmed from $7.50 to $6 with TAB Sportsbet.

"We've taken a stack of bets on First Command including one of $2500 each-way at $7.50," Sportingbet Australia boss Michael Sullivan said.

"You'd think (Dwayne) Dunn would need to have a bit of luck from barrier 24 but the money keeps on coming."

The Telegraph will have a distinct Aussie flavour with six Australian-based jockeys and three sprinters set to compete.

Sydney's top three riders - Nash Rawiller, Corey Brown and Hugh Bowman - will all be in action along with Melbourne-based hoops Dunn, Craig Williams and Michelle Payne.

Rawiller will partner the Gai Waterhouse-trained Swift Alliance who is the race favourite at $3.80 with TAB Sportsbet.

Swift Alliance scored a strong first-up win at Randwick with 60kg in the Listed Razor Sharp (1200m) to confirm plans for the New Zealand trip.

The five-year-old entire has the formidable record of seven wins from nine attempts at 1200m.

Bowman crosses the Tasman again to ride the Tim Martin-trained Monton who was unplaced in the Group One Railway Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.

Brown was approached for the ride on top New Zealand mare Katie Lee who is considered the biggest threat to an Australian victory.

Williams (Twilight Savings) and Payne (Eileen Dubh) also picked up mounts in the $NZ1 million sprint.