Teofilo support fades as Bolgerconfirms ‘setback’
Teofilo has dominated the ante-post market for the first Classic of the season since winning each of his five starts as a juvenile, culminating in his Dewhurst Stakes success.
However, speculation was rife on Monday that all was not well with Jim Bolger’s charge after his price drifted alarmingly on the exchanges and several major bookmakers also suspended betting on the May 5 event.
Although trainer Jim Bolger has issued a statement assuring punters his stable star remains on course for Newmarket, he has continued to drift in the betting and Stan James now make him their 2-1 favourite.
Bolger confirmed: “Teofilo has had a training setback. When trotted yesterday afternoon he showed slight discomfort.
“As a result, his training will be restricted to walking and swimming for one week.
“Otherwise, he is fit and well and on target for his 2000 Guineas tilt on May 5.
“A further statement on his condition will be issued early next week.”
However, confidence in the Galileo colt is waning and Neil Morrice, spokesman for Stan James, believes the drift is only to be expected.
“When a horse suffers a training reverse this close to his objective, his price can only go one way regardless of the optimistic noises from connections that he will make it to post at Newmarket,” he said.
“Any confidence behind him has completely dried up and the most likely scenario is that he will continue to slide over the period of his enforced holiday.”
Teofilo’s setback has prompted strong support for French raider US Ranger, despite the fact the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained colt will have to be supplemented for the race.
The son of Danzig won the Listed Prix Djebel at Maisons-Laffitte last week and now trades as low as 11-2 with the Guineas sponsor.
Totesport also reported a flood of money for the Michael Tabor-owned colt.
Spokesman Damian Walker said: “We reopened our Guineas market this morning and all the money has been for US Ranger, while not surprisingly, Teofilo has been friendless.
“There was no statement from the stable on Monday, but you didn’t need to be Einstein to work out that all was not well with Teofilo and his ante-post supporters have a nervous time ahead.”
William Hill were another firm to report strong interest in US Ranger, with spokesman Tony Kenny adding: “I think punters are still concerned about the extent of Teofilo’s setback, and until Jim Bolger confirms that the colt is 100% fit, we’re unlikely to see too much interest in the ante-post favourite.
“US Ranger has been the real springer in the market over the last couple of weeks, and with Mount Nelson drifting in the betting, the French colt looks likely to be Team Coolmore’s main challenger in the first Classic of the season.”
And even Ladbrokes, who were the first major firm to reopen the betting after yesterday’s suspension, have pushed him out to 7-4 from 6-4.
“We tentatively offered 6-4 about Teofilo when the news broke of his training setback but didn’t lay a single penny at that price,” said David Williams.
“He’s out to 7-4 now and we’ll see what the punters make of that. US Ranger has been the one they’ve wanted in the race.”
Stan James 2000 Guineas betting
Stan James: 2-1 Teofilo, 9-2 Dutch Art, 11-2 US Ranger, 7-1 Strategic Prince, 12-1 Haatef, 14-1 Mount Nelson 16 Adagio, 20 bar.
Ladbrokes: 7-4 Teofilo, 9-2 Dutch Art, 5-1 US Ranger, 7-1 Strategic Prince, 12-1 Adagio, Haatef, 14-1 Major Cadeaux, Mount Nelson, 16-1 Authorized, Duke Of Marmalade, 20-1 bar.
totesport: 6-4 Teofilo, 5-1 Dutch Art, 6-1 US Ranger, 13-2 Strategic Prince, 10-1 Haatef, 14-1 Major Cadeaux, Mount Nelson, 16-1 Adagio, 20-1 bar.
William Hill: 6-4 Teofilo, 4-1 Dutch Art, 13-2 Strategic Prince, 7-1 US Ranger, 12-1 Haatef, 14-1 Mount Nelson, Adagio, 16-1 Authorized, Duke Of Marmalade, Eagle Mountain, Major Cadeaux, 20-1 bar.
