Seachange is making great progress for Saturday's $150,000 Stoney Bridge Stakes but still can't knock Darci Brahma from his pedestal, as far as betting markets are concerned.
Seachange beat Darci Brahma to win the group one $200,000 Mudgway Stakes at Hastings on September 2 to take her record to seven
wins from eight starts.
But it is Darci Brahma who remains the favourite for the Stoney Bridge at $3.50 on the fixed-odds market ahead of Seachange at $3.75.
Seachange worked in her best style at Cambridge on Monday and Rick Williams, racing manager for the horse's Queensland owner Dick Karreman, was on hand for the gallop.
"She was just enormous. She's improved since the Mudgway," said Williams.
Williams said Seachange worked outside stablemate Rags To Riches, and carried a rider about 10kg heavier but proved too strong.
The pair galloped over 1000m which Williams said resulted in a "very quick last 600 metres".
"She's just better. She's more settled, she's come on since the Mudgway," he said.
"Mind you, she will need to. The others horse [in the Stoney Bridge] will have come on too. But we couldn't be happier with her going into it."
Williams said he had more confidence with Seachange for the Stoney Bridge than the Mudgway in which the star filly did not have to be ridden out over the closing stages to score by a length.
"We think she had a bit on them last time. The last 100 metres, she wasn't asked to do much."
Williams said he was not surprised Darci Brahma, a $1.1 million yearling sales purchase, still held sway with punters.
Darci Brahma was an unlucky runner in the Mudgway after being held up for a run at the top of the straight but some wondered if he would have beaten Seachange anyhow.
"I think a lot of people will think he was unlucky and he'll improve," Williams said.
The field for the Mudgway is declared today, with 19 horses remaining in the race yesterday.
- NZPA
