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Battle of the Sexes in the Group 3 Irwin

Punters will have the chance to see some serious Group 1 contenders strut their stuff before the two $1 Million races in the Adelaide Festival of Racing.

The Lloyd Kennewell trained Viddora will have her final hit out before the $1 Million Group 1 UBET Classic on 6 May. She is currently a $13 chance in the UBET All-In Market for the UBET Classic but a good run in Saturday's Irwin would see her move up the market order. Viddora just missed out on a first up win in the Listed Manihi at the start of the month finishing a close second behind Karlovasi. She is second favourite for the Saturday's Group 3 Irwin Stakes at $4 with UBET.

The early favourite for the Irwin is Victorian visitor Illustrious Lad who is on the path towards the Group 1 Darley Goodwood on 20 May. Illustrious Lad comes into the race on the back of three consecutive runs in Group 1 company. He has a great record at Morphettville running here three times for two wins including one in last year's Listed Wylie Stakes.

Other runners that will attract interest are the Ciaron Maher trained mare Petits Filous who has only had one race start since contesting last year's Group 1 Goodwood. Fellow interstate visitor, Sooboog from the Darren Weir stable is also well fancied in the market.

Previous Group 3 Irwin Stakes Winners

Year Winner Starting Price Last Start Preparation Next Run Following Run
2016 Nostradamus $14 6th 1100m Listed Manihi Classic 2nd Up 4th G3 McKay Stakes 8th G1 Goodwood
2015 Daytona Grey $24.30 1st 1100m Listed Manihi Classic 2nd Up 2nd G3 McKay Stakes  
2014 Driefontein $8.40 5th 1300m Group 2 Rosehill Millie Fox Stakes  5th Up 1st G1 Sangster Stakes 15th G1 Goodwood
2013 Kulgrinda $8.20 4th 955m Moonee Valley 2nd Up 4th G1 Sangster Stakes  
2012 We're Gonna Rock $3F 1st 1000m BM68 at Morphettville  2nd Up 6th G3 McKay Stakes 2nd G1 Goodwood

Looking at previous results from the Irwin, the race has not been kind to favourites with We're Gonna Rock being the last favourite to have any success, while the last two winners have saluted at double figure odds.

The last two winners of the race have come through the Listed Manihi at Morphettville and five runners on Saturday will have come through the same race.

The most interesting piece of information that four of the last five winners of the Irwin have been second up in their preparation. Only two horses in Saturday's race will be second up and they are the two mares in Viddora and Petits Filous.

Another interesting satistic is that jockey Jason Holder has won this race three times, the first being 21 years ago in 1996 aboard Scorn Bold. He will ride the ever consistent Casino Wizard on Saturday as he aims for his fourth victory in the Irwin.

Group 3 Irwin Stakes Market

Illustrious Lad $3.20

Viddora $4

Petits Filous $4.60

Sooboog $6

Casino Wizard $8.50

Others $12+

Click here to view the UBET Market

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