This Saturday sees the final race classic of the season take place in the shape of the St Leger. The race over 1m 6f at Doncaster has seen some famous performances over the years with some clear trends prominent in recent renewals of racing’s oldest classic.
The race has been quite good for favourites. Since 2006 five of the twelve winners have confirmed favouritism. With a £1 level stake over this period you would be £8.83 to the good.
Whilst there has been a minimum amount of them, only only Filly has won the races since 2006. That was in the shape of Simple Verse in 2015.
There are some hot trainers in the race. Namely Aidan O’Brien who has saddled six winners including in the last two renewals of the contest whilst John Gosden has won the race three times in the last twelve years winning it four times in total. Godolphin have historically enjoyed targeting the race and have had six winners since 1995.
Frankie Dettori revels in the race, winning it five times in total across his long career. Amongst the other active jockeys William Buick and Andrea Atzeni and Ryan Moore have won the race twice in their shorter careers.
A major statistic is that 16 of the last 17 winners have had two of three previous career wins whilst 13 of the last 17 runners had also won a group race on previous outings.
Finally, in terms of the trip punters should not be majorly concerned if their selection has not previously attempted the trip. 10 of the last 16 we’re making their debuts over the trip.
Of course, records are there to be broken. But who fits the bill? The race was won by O’Brien’s Kew Gardens last year and he saddles some nice runners with six possible chances currently still entered in the contest.
Sir Dragonet priced at 3/1 looks to be the trainers best chance in the contest with the Epsom Derby favourite not being at his best since his first two runs of the season but the step up in trip may be the game changer.
However, it is worth noting that the other prolific St Leger winner, John Gosden, saddles the favourite Logician. This is an extremely interesting and unbeaten Filly. Could she add to Simple Verse’s victory in 2015? The only thing we can be sure of is that the winner will be three years of age.