Australia Melbourne Cup and Racing News

Despite a recent spell of poor form, no wins from six starts, and drawing barrier 12, Miss Finland (4.00) is still the favourite to win the Group 1 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday. But the stakes are high for the champion mare - if she fails to perform again indications are that she will be retired after the event. Other strong chances in the field include Niconero (6.00), Publishing (6.00) and Casino Prince (7.00).

Saturday’s Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes, Victoria’s richest race for two-year-olds, at Caulfield is set to be another thrilling contest. Currently, the Lee Freedman trained Wilander leads the betting in a very open race, but he faces stiff opposition from Mark Kavanagh’s Believe ‘n’ Suceed, as well as four David Hayes gallopers - the champion trainer is aiming for his third Blue Diamond Quinella in a row.

Get your Blue Diamond bets in early and claim top prices - Sportingbet’s early bird markets for Saturday racing are now open!

Champion galloper, Apache Cat makes a run at back-to-back Group 1 victories in Saturday’s Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley. The recent Lightning Stakes winner is the firm favourite, followed by Miss Finland, Let Go Thommo and Stanzout.

A dynamite field, which includes 10 Group 1 winners, are set to contest Saturday’s C.F. Orr Stakes at Caulfield. Champion galloper Maldivian, who returns to the track for the first time since his dramatic Caulfield Cup scratching, is the punter favourite, but he will be challenged by the likes of Fiumicino, Princess Coup and Rubiscent.

Melbourne’s Festival of Racing kicks off this Saturday with a top class program at Flemington. Headlining the day is the Group 1 Coolmore Lightning Stakes (1000m) - the first leg of the 2008 Global Sprint Challenge. The race features a superstar field including Gold Edition, Miss Finland, Magnus and Apache Cat.

Maldivian makes his long awaited return to racing in the Carlyon Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night, while the Blue Diamonds Stakes Previews, Zeditave Stakes and Kevin Hayes Stakes headline Saturday’s program at Caulfield.

The Listed Chester Manifold Stakes and RDA Victoria Stakes at Flemington, together with the Festival Stakes at Rosehill, headline this weekend’s dynamic racing program. Early Bird markets for Saturday open Friday Afternoon.

Caulfield headlines a quality weekend for the gallops - the Group 3 Rubiton Stakes will be a hotly contested event; Here De Angels, Let Go Thommo and Lucky Secret are all in with a chance. In the Listed John Dillon Stakes, Cocinero steps up to 1400m and punters will be interested to see how the Christmas Stakes winner performs in only his second attempt at the distance. Early Bird markets for Saturday open Friday afternoon.

After victories in the Arrowfield Stud and Razor Sharp Quality so far this season, Takeover Target has his sights set on a third consecutive win in this Saturday’s 1400-metre Group 2 Villiers Stakes at Randwick. The sprint sensation will carry the topweight of 61kg against a strong field which includes Alverta (52kg), who almost ran him down in the Razor Sharp, and US Group 1 winner Honor In War (54.5kg).

The 3200m Group 2 Perth Cup at Ascot headlines an exciting program of New Year’s Day racing. The quality stayer Cats Fun (2.60) is dominating the early betting with Dakas Gem (7.00), Westerly Breeze (7.50) and Upgrade (9.00) also drawing interest from punters. Other noteworthy contests include the Standish and Bagot Handicaps at Flemington, as well as the Carrington Stakes at Randwick.