Russell Balding Stakes Preview and Tips 02/11/24

It’s one of the most exciting days on the racing calendar and we have six key races to sink our teeth into before the Melbourne Cup, which takes place next Tuesday. At Rosehill Racecourse, it’s The Golden Eagle Day, which features The Golden Eagle, the Rosehill Gold Cup and the Russell Balding Stakes.

In Melbourne, it’s Derby Day, so we see three Group One races; the Victoria Derby, the Empire Rose Stakes and the Coolmore Stud Stakes. Make sure you don’t have any plans on Saturday (or that your plans involve a screen that has racing on it)! It’s going to be an epic Saturday of racing and you certainly don’t want to miss out.

Now is the time because my Saturday tips have landed here at OnlyRacing. I have put together a set of tips for all six races mentioned above, but for this specific tips article, I’m focusing on the Russell Balding Stakes. I’ve checked out the entire field and all my best bets can be found below!

There’s a small field of just 11 runners contesting the Russell Balding Stakes in 2024, now that Tamerlane has been scratched. I expect the race to be run at a moderate tempo, with the likes of Phearson, I Am Me and Coal Crusher having the early speed. One of those three will lead with the other two potentially falling back for cover.

The pre-race favourite, Bella Nipotina, will probably look to settle just off the pace from barrier four. She’ll wait for the right moment in the closing stages to unleash her speed and try to run them all down. Look for Sunshine In Paris as well, as she has among the fastest closing speeds.

Unlike some of the other races this Saturday, I didn’t find it hard to pick my best bet. I’ve only got eyes for The Everest winner, Bella Nipotina. Bella Nipotina will be looking to win the Russell Balding Stakes again in 2024 after winning the race last year. Understandably, the mare is currently the $2.30 favourite with PlayUp.

She is a four-time Group One winner and her effort last time out in The Everest was excellent. The 7YO got stuck wide, but that didn’t faze her and she ended up winning by 0.2L. There is a high level of class about this horse and it would take something very special for someone else to beat her here.

I really do like Sunshine In Paris, but I think she’s just found one better here in Bella Nipotina. Sunshine In Paris is another that has come through The Everest, where she finished fifth, 1.5L off the leader. If something goes wrong with Bella Nipotina, I think Sunshine In Paris is the most likely to take advantage.

The 5YO is currently paying $5.50 with Bet365 to win the Russell Balding Stakes, which puts her on the second line of betting. She certainly enjoys the Rosehill track, in three starts here so far, she has won twice. She’ll need a smidge of luck from the wide barrier, but it isn’t really a big field, so she’ll have more chances to weave through the field with her closing speed.

A little bit surprised about the price we are currently getting for King Of Sparta, so I’m popping him down as my value bet. We last saw King Of Sparta hitting the line strongly in the Group Three Sydney Stakes, finishing fourth 2.3L off the pace. He left his run a little too late, but he does get an extra 100m here, so that will help.

We are getting about the same price for him in this one that he was sent around last time out. He is currently $10 for the win at Dabble and I’ll be taking that every day of the week. He certainly has the talent to be respected here and I won’t be surprised if we didn’t see some improvement from his last race. 

Underestimate Lady Laguna at your own risk! The Group One winning mare looks a real danger in this one and at decent odds as well. QuestBet is currently offering $17 for the mare to win the Russell Balding Stakes. Another coming through the Sydney Stakes and I’m expecting further improvement here.

She is lightly raced, especially for this time in the Spring Racing Carnival and has just two runs under her belt since April. She comes into this one third-up, so she’ll be all the fitter for those two runs. I reckon she’ll settle near the front of the pack, looking for a little bit of cover and that will give her every chance for a positive result at odds.

There are a few runners currently around the $10 mark and Coal Crusher is one of them. I like the look of him as my best roughie and think he can raise a few eyebrows, especially if he is on his A-game. At the time of writing, we are getting $13 for Coal Crusher to win, at Bet Right.

He has the early speed and may very well dictate how this one shakes out. That means fate will likely be in his own hands and he won’t need to rely on luck to get himself out of trouble. If he can find the front cleanly and has it his own way, look out because he’ll be in for a peach of a ride.

All my Russell Balding Stakes horse racing tips and their odds can be found here:

Bookmaker	Tip	Odds
	Bella Nipotina (win)	$2.30
	Sunshine In Paris (each-way)	$5.50/$1.90
	King Of Sparta (place)	$2.60
	Lady Laguna (place)	$3.60
	Coal Crusher (place)	$3.30