Newmarket Handicap and Australian Cup futures market tips
SPIETH is the opening favourite for this Saturday’s Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington after finishing runner up at its last two starts.
The Bryce Heys-trained four-year-old finished second in the Group 1 Darley Classic behind Malaguerra in the spring and it resumed with a narrow loss in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes on this track.
The son of Thorn Park has come desperately close to giving its connections a major win and the $4 chance at Sportsbet.com.au will have to hold off a talented field which includes three-year-old pair Flying Artie and Extreme Choice.
The Mick Price-trained duo were relatively unlucky at their last starts with Extreme Choice running on well behind Sheidel in the Oakleigh Plate after getting too far back and Flying Artie was the subject of a questionable ride.
The Coolmore Stud Stakes winner was put into a pocket by jockey Damien Oliver down the Flemington straight and it never got a crack at them in the Lightning Stakes. There’s no knowing if it would have won the race, but punters will be keen to reload on the talented colt.
Flying Artie was a cheap $50,000 purchase at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale and has returned over $1.2 million after winning the Blue Sapphire Stakes and the Coolmore Stud Stakes, which followed a placing in the 2016 Blue Diamond.
It’s currently a $5.50 chance at Ladbrokes.com.au which appears to be good value for a quality customer and it will get champion jockey Joao Moreira in the saddle.
Star Turn is the only other horse quoted at single figure odds after finishing third in the Lightning Stakes.
The three-year-old colt has won three from 10 starts which includes a Group 2 Schillaci Stakes win at Caulfield, but it has been a step behind the well-favoured types all season and will need to improve slightly to figure in the finish.
2017 Newmarket Handicap betting
Spieth – $4
Flying Artie – $5.50
Extreme Choice – $9
Star Turn – $9
Illustrious Lad – $10
Chautauqua – $12
Hellbent – $13
Supido – $15 at Bet365.com
Terravista – $15
Sheidel – $17
Fell Swoop – $17
Tivaci – $21
Super Cash – $21
Faatinah – $26
The Quarterback – $26
Flamberge – $26
El Divino – $26
Redkirk Warrior – $26
Voodoo Lad – $31
Counterattack – $34
Dal Cielo – $41
Hey Doc – $51
Peacock – $51
Target In Sight – $61
Miss Promiscuity – $81
Villa Rosa – $81
Big Money – $101
Guard Of Honour – $101
Missrock – $201
Inspector – $501
2017 Australian Cup futures tips
Punters believe it’s only a matter of time before former New Zealand gelding Humidor gets its first Australian win after going close last time out.
The four-year-old son of Teofilo flashed home in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes behind Stratum Star and the rise in distance looks ideal.
It’s currently the $4.20 favourite at Sportsbet which is a short price, but we’re expecting those odds to stay steady throughout the week.
On the second line of betting is 2016 Caulfield Cup winner Jameka which ran well for third in the Peter Young Stakes. The Ciaron Maher-trained mare was expected to run slightly better, but it will have benefit from the run.
It has had two starts back after finishing a disappointing 15th in the Melbourne Cup and punters should expect to see a much better effort at $4.50 with CrownBet.com.au.
The United States brings more Peter Young Stakes form into the race after finishing third last time out and it should improve with the run.
The staying type looked good when winning the Crystal Mile last preparation before finishing close up when fourth in the Cantala Stakes on this track. The six-year-old is an each way chance here at $7.50 and should be considered.
2017 Australian Cup market
Humidor – $4.20
Jameka – $4.50
Hartnell (unlikely) – $6
The United States – $7.50
Exospheric – $8.50
Stratum Star – $10
Endless Drama – $16
Real Love – $18
Tally – $21
Ecuador – $21
Tom Melbourne – $21
Awesome Rock – $21
He’s Our Rokki – $21
Preferment – $26
Our Century – $26
Seaburge – $34
Boom Time – $34
Pilote D’essai – $41
Mourinho – $41
Almoonqith – $51
Abbey Marie – $51
Turn Me Loose – $67
Vengeur Masque – $81
Hans Holbein – $101
Assign – $151
Aloft – $151