The opening Group 1 race at Flemington this afternoon is the Newmarket Handicap 2013 running as Race 6 at 3:15pm (AEST) and following this morning’s scratching of Queensland Group 1 winner Woorim from the field below we take a look at the updated betting markets on the Melbourne Festival of Racing feature.

There are now 13 sprinters remaining in the mix for the $1 million Group 1 Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m) which has been won by many a turf great including the past two champions Black Caviar (2011) and Hay List (2012).

Current favourite is Moment Of Change, Peter Moody’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winner having eased out slightly from $2.70 to $2.80 to improve on the first-up second at the track in the Lightning Stakes (1000m) behind the mighty Black Caviar.

Along with the easing top elect, who still looks the horse to beat based on their lead-up form and nice barrier draw, there have been a number of other horses drifting out in the Newmarket Handicap odds including:

• #1 Luckygray ($7.50 out to $9) – First-up runners historically are out of this with just one winner in the past three decades, have great form with big weights back home in Perth including their Railway Stakes win last time out but this is a different class of competitor and they need to handle the big meeting pressure in Melbourne
• #5 Barakey ($6 out to $6.50) – This WA sprinter has class, as displayed by their flawless 11 from 11 record, but missed a crucial lead-up when scratched from the Oakleigh which would have bought them on fitness wise and given them a run in Melbourne before this

Meanwhile the money has been steady for the new second favourite Better Than Ready, the lightly-raced Queensland in from $6.50 to $5.25 to win their opening Group 1 assignment.

The Kelly Schweida-trained More Than Ready colt faces a tough test here racing in Melbourne and against Group company for the first time but the punters are coming for them after their three length win in the Listed Falvelon Handicap (1200m) at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago.

Another big time Newmarket Handicap market mover has been Spirit Of Boom who continues to firm right into $14 now.

This horse is a genuine Group 1 contender and while they haven’t won a race since the 2012 Magic Millions Cup, they have been right in the mix in some big races including their Winterbottom Stakes third behind Barakey and their last start third in the Oakleigh Plate.

Another consistent market firmer now at $13 is Glen Boss’s mount Fontelina. This resuming Anthony Cummings-trained four-year-old was a first-up winner at this track and distance in a Group 2 during the Melbourne Cup Carnival and could be right in the mix again here.

Check out the latest Newmarket Handicap betting fluctuations and fixed win odds now at bookmaker.com.au and also explore their exclusive Pick Your Own Odds markets on all the majors today!

Newmarket Handicap Odds – Market Moves

#1 Luckygray – $7.50 out to $9

#2 Moment Of Change – $2.70 out to $2.80

#3 Ortensia – Steady at $15

#4 Woorim – Scratched

#5 Barakey – $6 out to $6.50

#6 Spirit Of Boom – $17 into $14

#7 Lone Rock – Steady at $31

#8 Aeronautical – Steady at $101

#9 Big Buddie – Steady at $201

#10 Fontelina – $15 into $13

#11 Satin Shoes – $81 into $61

#12 Undeniably – Steady at $51

#13 Better Than Ready – $6.50 into $5.25

#14 Shamexpress – $19 into $17

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