Australia: Remarque one to beat in Black Opal if he runs

Remarque will be a heavy favorite in Sunday’s Group 3 Black Opal Stakes for 2-year-olds at Canberra Racecourse in Australia, if he starts.

Remarque was also entered in Saturday’s Group 2 Todman Stakes at Royal Randwick, which drew a tougher field. Regardless of where he starts, Remarque is a highly regarded juvenile who won his debut against winners in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on Jan. 16.

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Remarque was 11-10 in early betting on Friday for the Black Opal Stakes, which drew a field of 13 and is one of two stakes on an eight-race program that begins at 9:20 p.m., Eastern, or 6:20 p.m., Pacific, on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Without Remarque in the field, the Black Opal Stakes is a competitive betting race, led by the filly Pretty Woman, the gelding Rocket Tiger and the colt Construct.

Pretty Woman’s future-book price shortened from 9-2 to 4-1 early afternoon on Friday. Pretty Woman is unbeaten in two starts, both at five furlongs at Canberra – a handicap on Feb. 5 and the Opal Preview on Feb. 19. Pretty Woman disputed the pace in both races.

Rocket Tiger was beaten for the first time in his third start when second by a neck in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on Feb. 20. Rocket Tiger closed from fifth to just miss catching the well-regarded Home Affairs.

Construct is winless in three starts, the most recent of which was a Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at six furlongs at Caulfield Racecourse on Feb. 20. Construct was a 40-1 outsider who raced in mid-pack throughout the race.