Odds on nearly all the top fancies for this weekend’s Newmarket Handicap 2013 at Flemington Racecourse have eased out over the past couple of days except for those on the clear cut favourite Moment Of Change.

Peter Moody’s exciting Barley A Moment four-year-old has remained steady at the top of the bookmaker.com.au markets for the $1 million Group 1 Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m) paying $2.70 to secure their second Group 1 trophy.

The gelding hit the big time last September when Luke Nolen guided them to a smart victory over We’re Gonna Rock, overcoming barrier 15 of 15 to win the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) as a 52.5kg lightweight.

They resumed on February 16 only rated a $20 roughie in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) down the Flemington straight when carrying 58.5kg but proved their potential with a brave second behind their flawless stablemate Black Caviar who became a triple Lightning Stakes winner.

Now they race against another Group 1 field in Melbourne with the Newmarket Handicap fast approaching.

Moment Of Change will be reunited with Nolen in the race, the pair set to jump from barrier seven of 14 giving them plenty of options.

It is a smart field they will face but it is Moment Of Change the punters want with the price drifting out for their most notable rivals including:

• #5 Barakey ($5.25 out to $6]) – This horse is undefeated with 11 wins from as many starts in WA but can they handle a Group 1 field in Melbourne? Would have more faith if they’d gotten the run in the Oakleigh but missing that could prove their downfall here, that and gate 13 are ominous
• #1 Luckygray ($6.50 out to $7.50) – Dual Group 1 winner in Perth is a good type but this is a step up in class for them, they are yet to win outside of their home state, have a horror outside draw and the 58kg to overcome
• #3 Ortensia ($13 out to $15) – Could be the surprise one to run on here, boasts three Group 1 wins in three countries and all reports from her camp are that she’s flying and ready to atone for her first-up failure in the Oakleigh, if you can ignore that run then these odds are getting juicy

Odds however have also stayed the same for the third favorite Better Than Ready ($6.50), the unknown Queensland youngster making their Group and Melbourne debut.

Coming off a good three length victory in a Brisbane black type at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago Kelly Schweida’s More Than Ready colt has certainly been getting plenty of attention from the media leading up to their acid test in the Newmarket.

The only notable market firmer meanwhile has been Spirit Of Boom, plenty of money rolling in for the Queenslander who is always thereabouts.

Tony Gollan’s Sequalo stallion was third to Barakey in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot last November before resuming with a big first-up third behind Mrs Onassis in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 23, an effort Hong Kong-based hoop Brett Prebble expects they can repeat on the weekend.

The other notable market mover is then Danny O’Brien’s lightly-raced O’Reilly colt Shamexpress in from $21 to $19 as they line up for just the 10^th time.

Third to Nechita in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at this track on Victoria Derby Day during the spring, Shamexpress resumed with a first-up win at Moonee Valley before their sixth in the Lightning Stakes which they will be out to improve on.

There has also been a tickle for the Anthony Cummings-trained Fontelina, winner of the Group 2 Yellowglen Stakes over this track and distance first-up during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, in from $16 to $15 as they resume racing again here.

See below for the full Newmarket Handicap 2013 betting market update with the current fixed win odds on all the sprinters engaged in the Melbourne Festival of Racing showdown.

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2013 Newmarket Handicap Betting Market Moves

#1 Luckygray (14) – $6.50 out to $7.50

#2 Moment Of Change (7) – Steady at $2.70

#3 Ortensia (9) – $13 out to $15

#4 Woorim (4) – Steady at $41

#5 Barakey (13) – $5.25 out to $6

#6 Spirit Of Boom (6) – $26 into $17

#7 Lone Rock (5) – Steady at $31

#8 Aeronautical (1) – Steady at $101

#9 Big Buddie (2) – Steady at $201

#10 Fontelina (10) – $16 into $15

#11 Satin Shoes (12) – Steady at $81

#12 Undeniably (3) – Steady at $51

#13 Better Than Ready (8) – Steady at $6.50

#14 Shamexpress (11) – $21 into $19

*All odds quoted are Fixed Win from bookmaker.com.au and subject to change