OUR EARLY SPRING RACING CARNIVAL TIPS

This is the time of year that racing fans relish!

Over the next six weeks, we will be treated to 17 Group 1 races, as well as the $13 Million Everest, that will include some of the best horses not just from Australia, but right around the world. Ladbrokes have markets available for every single Group 1 set to take place for the rest of the 2018 Spring Racing Carnival and our early thoughts for all of the major races can be found below.

LADBROKES CAULFIELD GUINEAS

It is all about The Autumn Sun in Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas betting market. The Autumn Sun has been on top of Caulfield Guineas betting since betting opened and his price shortened dramatically following his stunning win in the Golden Rose Stakes. Leonardo da Hinchi and Native Solider are on the second line of betting at $8 from Long Leaf at $10 before there is a gap to Oohood at $14. The Autumn Sun is clearly the standout in the Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas and, if he does take his place, he will start the race as an odds-on favourite.

THE EVEREST

There is unlikely to be a more interesting betting race during the 2018 Spring Racing Carnival than The Everest. The entire field has changed complexion in the past week and that has led to some big changes in betting. Santa Ana Lane is the new favourite at $6 with Ladbrokes following his excellent win in the Premiere Stakes, but there is very little between him and In Her Time, Trapeze Artist and Vega Magic at $7 as well as Redzel and Shoals at $8. As the market suggests, this is an incredibly open race and you can make a case for just about every runner in the field, but Vega Magic does appeal in early betting.

CAULFIELD CUP

He hasn’t won a race, but few horses have been more impressive this Spring than Kings Will Dream and he is a clear favourite in the Caulfield Cup betting market with Ladbrokes. Kings Will Dream has finished second in both the Memsie Stakes and the Makybe Diva Stakes and there is no doubt that trainer Darren Weir will have him ready to peak on Caulfield Cup Day. There is a big gap from Kings Will Dream at $4.50 to a host of horses at the $9 mark, which includes Ace High, Avilius, Homesman and Night’s Watch. Internationals having their first start in Australia always add a level of unknown to the Caulfield Cup and make it a tricky betting affair, but favourites have a strong record in recent years.

LADBROKES COX PLATE

It should come as no surprise that Winx is already a long odds-on favourite to make history with a fourth straight win in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate. The great mare is $1.30 following her outstanding wins in the Winx Stakes and the George Main Stakes and it would be one of the biggest shocks in modern racing history if she was not successful at The Valley on October 27. Humidor gave Winx a genuine scare in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate 12 months ago and he is currently on the second line of betting at $13. We certainly won’t be betting against Winx this Spring and most punters will be happy to watch the great mare do her thing.

MELBOURNE CUP

Picking the winner of the Melbourne Cup gets tougher every year as the dominance of international raiders becomes more prevalent. European visitor Cross Counter has been set for the Melbourne Cup all season long and he is currently favourite at $13 from fellow international raider Magic Circle, while Avilius ($15) and Kings Will Dream ($15) head-up the locally-trained charge. The number of variables in-play in the modern Melbourne Cup makes it tough to pick the winner a long way out, but you can be sure that Australian-bred horses are unlikely to be a factor and Lloyd Williams will have a very strong hand.