Horse Racing

Lucia Valentina (outside) tops the Caulfield Cup betting markets while Brambles (inside) has made the final field after scratchings. Photo (c) Race Horse Photos Australia

There are horse racing meetings all over the country this weekend, but the feature event is without doubt the Group 1 Caulfield Cup in Melbourne; playing host to 18 leading stayers battling it out in the world’s richest handicap race over 2400m

A capacity field of 18 runners plus four emergencies was confirmed for the Caulfield Cup on Wednesday, however several niggling issues and sickness over a tumultuous 24 hours has seen a total of four leading chances scratched from the final field, arguably highlighted by Japanese sensation Bande.

Contesting a form line similar to that of Japanese superstar Delta Blues in the lead-up to his memorable victory in the 2006 Melbourne Cup, Bande received the greatest share of attention from punters for success in the Caulfield Cup and was clear market mover at the time of his scratching.

Noted to be harbouring a niggling tendon injury, Bande’s shock removal from the Caulfield Cup final field has blown betting on the featured event wide open, with punters now offered even better value in both win and place markets.

Lucia Valentina has returned to racing in scintillating form this time in, and while opening and maintaining status at the fore of betting markets, has now received the biggest share of wagers following Bande’s removal and has cut into clear favouritism.

Early Melbourne Cup favourite The Offer is offered at particularly generous odds for success in the 2014 Caulfield Cup, while first emergency Brambles has moved in from opening odds of $21 to currently feature at a quote of less-than $10.

The Group 2 Caulfield Sprint (1100m) and Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) for mares are also set to run at Caulfield on Saturday, while the Group 3 David Jones Cup (2000m), Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) and Group 3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) cap off a truly impressive day of racing; offering even more opportunities to place a winning bet.

Royal Randwick will play host to Sydney’s major card on Saturday, highlighted by the Group 3 The Nivison, contested by mares over 1200m.

Other Sports

The final Bledisloe test for the year between Australian and New Zealand will be played at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night and is shaping as an extremely interesting betting game.

The All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup with a comfortable 51-20 victory at Auckland’s Eden Park in August and currently figure as clear $1.28 favourites to cap the series with a win over the Wallabies ($3.80).

The A-League enters Round 2 this weekend and is highlighted by matches between bitter rivals and week 1 winners Melbourne Victory ($2.75) and Adelaide United ($2.45) and a Sydney derby between FC ($2.55) and the Wanderers ($2.65).

NRL Grand Final

The South Sydney Rabbitohs will make their first Grand Final appearance in more than 40 years when lining up against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on Sunday.

A cult favourite amongst the NRL community, Souths ($1.36) have charged into the Grand Final on the back of a massive forward pack and slick, confident back line and are clear favourites to take the Summons Provan Trophy back to Redfern.

Sneaking into the finals after ending the regular season in position seven, The Bulldogs ($3.25) having seemingly timed their run of form to perfection; following up losses in Rounds 25 and 26 with three impressive finals wins over the Storm, Sea Eagles and Panthers.

Horse Racing

Royal Descent is the favourite in betting markets for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick. Photo (c) Steve Hart

The first weekend of October truly marks the beginning of Australian racing’s busiest period, with four Group 1’s, five Group 2’s, two Group 3’s and a plethora of Listed events over meetings Royal Randwick and Flemington.

The Epsom Handicap (1600m) undoubtedly highlights Randwick’s Super Saturday card, this year pegging 15 classy entrants against each other for Group 1 glory.

Champion miler Boban took out the 2013 Epsom Handicap in a photo finish, and has been charged with carrying a race-high 58kgs for his title defence on Saturday. Giving two and a half kilos to his closest rival Royal Descent, the Bernardini gelding will have to find ideal running position early if to overcome a field which also includes the likes of Toydini, Star Rolling and the resurgent Laser Hawk.

A maiden Group 1 champion will be crowned in the Flight Stakes (1600m) on Saturday, with just seven three-year-old fillies confirmed to line up for Race 8. First Seal and Winx have each claimed a Group 2 victory this time in however neither are trialled over 1600m competitively, allowing for an open betting race.

The Metropolitan caps off the impressive Randwick card, as several Cups prospects line up for the season’s first Group 1 over 2400m. British import Spillway is aiming to secure a position in the Caulfield Cup with a Metropolitan victory, but will need to find an extra gear to overcome Chris Waller’s impressive hand which includes the likes of Junoob, Bagman, Opinion and Our Voodoo Prince.

The Turnbull Stakes headlines a strong nine race card at Flemington on Saturday, highlighted by some of the season’s most exciting staying prospects. Early 2013 Melbourne Cup favourite Puissance De Lune has returned to racing in smart form this time in and will meet early 2014 Melbourne Cup favourite The Offer in the Turnbull. Arguably the weekend’s best betting race, Group 1 champions Green Moon, Super Cool and Hawkspur are all available at excellent odds and are proven over the distance.

Cups prospects will also do battle in The Bart Cummings at Flemington on Saturday, while Emirates Stakes hopefuls River Lad and Smokin’ Joey meet with in-form sprinter Chautauqua and Temple Of Boom in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m).

Other Sports

The English Premier League Season enters Week 7 on Saturday and offers punters particularly good value, as several similarly-formed sides face off.

The round is undoubtedly highlighted by a grudge match between bitter London rivals Chelsea ($1.67) and Arsenal ($5). The last time these sides met, Jose Mourinho’s men delivered the Gunners a demoralizing 6-0 thrashing at Stamford Bridge.