Ando’s Mac remains favourite for 2017 Golden Easter Egg
ANDO'S Mac remains the favourite to win the Group 1 Golden Easter Egg (520m) at Wentworth Park on April 15 despite suffering a shock defeat in his heat of the $250,000-to-the-winner series over the weekend.
Last year's Melbourne Cup winner started as the $1.60 favourite to win his qualifier from box five, but missed the kick and was unable to reel-in Royal Turbo which saluted in 30.05.
Despite this, the Jason Mackay-trained dog is the $7 favourite with online bookmaker Sportsbet to bounce back to his brilliant best by winning the final.
A winner of 19 from 37 with $617,416 in career earnings, Ando's Mac will have to finish first or second in his semi-final this Saturday night in order to make the final, with the box draw set to be released around noon on Tuesday.
Tipped as the biggest threat to the favourite is Victorian star Striker Light. The Brett Bravo-trained bitch claimed time honours in the Egg heats on Saturday night, recording a brilliant 29.67 from box two.
Striker Light, the winner of the 2017 National Futurity at Wentworth Park, is the $8 second favourite to win the decider.
Next best is Bulli Cup winner Falcon's Fury at $9 – with the son of Fabregas and Janderra's Fury regaining some of his best form following his 29.71 heat victory over the weekend.
Double figure odds are on offer about Ritza Lenny at $10 after the blue dog finished second in his heat behind Nangar Bear, a $31 shot.
Meanwhile, Group 2 Laurels winner Up Hill Jill shares the $11 quote with Anthony Azzopardi's exciting youngster Lucky Chap, with the former claiming her heat in a fast 29.82.
Value appears to lie with several runners including Topper Terretto which is still a $21 chance despite posting the second fastest first split of the entire night en route to clocking 29.81 when defeating Almost Black ($151) and Daithy Allen ($81).
Group 1 Golden Easter Egg – 2017 series winner
Ando's Mac $7
Striker Light $8
Falcon's Fury $9
Ritza Lenny $10
Lucky Chap $11
Up Hill Jill $11
Mack Tux $13
Astrozone $13
Wicked Warrior $15
Big Flood $18
Shima Song $21
Topper Teretto $21
Royal Turbo $26
Barking Bad $26
Aqua Cheetah $26
Clock's Ticking $31
Black Hole Sun $31
Nangar Bear $31
Winsome Mission $31
Pedro Cerrano $51
Fimple Allen $51
Magic Spring $51
Blazin' Bomber $51
Better Call Sloy $67
El Magnifico $67
Chief Jetpilot $67
Lagoon Jazzy $81
Daithy Allen $81
Slamming Thunder $81
Eisenhower $81
Hugo Boss $101
One Thing $101
Kruggerand $101
Kilkee May $101
Srixon $101
Star Torana $101
She's Grand $151
Almost Black $151
Full Of Rust $201
Flying Eamonn $201