KEY POINTS:
Trainer Stephen McKee has always said it's a waste of time watching Boundless in trackwork.
"She's a shocking trackworker," the Ardmore horseman said.
McKee was delighted on Saturday morning when Boundless produced the best gallop this preparation.
It's come at a good time, on the eve of her
departure for next Saturday's A$3 million Caulfield Cup.
McKee says Boundless' coat has not quite completely turned yet, but it's nearly there.
The mare, who will be ridden by Melbourne jockey Dwayne Dunn, was yesterday quoted at $16 on the New Zealand TAB, pretty much what Melbourne bookies are offering.
But some Sydney-based bookmaking operations have her as far out as $21.
For a New Zealand Oaks winner who needed her run in the recent $2 million Kelt Capital Stakes, that is a seriously attractive quote.
Being a race short in a group one race can be disastrous, yet Boundless finished only 1.6 lengths from Princess Coup and is subject to more improvement than the two who finished immediately in front: Red Ruler and Nom du Jeu, who will be race rivals at Caulfield.
Boundless was to have had her final gallop before the Cup this morning and will fly to Sydney tomorrow in company with the waikato pair of Red Ruler and Nom du Jeu.
John Sargent was pleased with the fast time Red Ruler recorded at Matamata on Saturday. "He's come on really well," he said yesterday.
Our TAB has Red Ruler at $15 for Saturday and Nom Du Jeu at $12.
Melbourne's DoubleBet has Red Ruler at $13 and Nom Du Jeu at $16.
One Sydney operation yesterday listed Red Ruler at $21 and Nom Du Jeu at $14.
Michael Eskander's Betstar was obviously impressed by C'est La Guerre's Yalumba run, slashing his quote from $26 to $9 at Caulfield and from $41 to $17 for the Melbourne Cup.
Latest markets from Betstar.
Caulfield Cup: $5.50 Littorio, Weekend Hussler; $7 Master O'Reilly, $9 C'est La Guerre, $11 Guillotine, $13 Douro Valley, $17 Mad Rush, Nom du Jeu; $21 Boundless, Maldivian, Zagreb, Pompeii Ruler, Red Ruler; $26 and upwards the rest.
Cox Plate: $4.00 Weekend Hussler, $4.20 Princess Coup, $6 Samantha Miss, $8 Pompeii Ruler, $13 Zipping, $17 Sirmione, $21 Alamosa, Littorio, Maldivian; $26 and upwards the rest.
Melbourne Cup: $6.50 Efficient, $7.50 Littorio, Septimus; $10 Master O'Reilly, $17 C'est La Guerre, Mad Rush, Profound Beauty; $21 Honolulu, Nom du Jeu, Zagreb; $26 and upwards the rest.
