The action of the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival continues at Flemington Racecourse this weekend for Newmarket Handicap Day and the 2014 Newmarket Handicap tips and selections for the meeting’s major are listed below.

There are 15 horses in the mix for this year’s $1 million Group 1 Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m) including three hopes under double figures in the latest Ladbrokes.com.au markets.

Current top spot in the Newmarket Handicap odds is co-held by two horses, Samaready and Shamexpress both paying $4.60 to become the seventh favourite in the past 11 years to salute for the punters.

Both come via a run in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at the track which has been one of the best Newmarket Handicap form lines.

In fact, nine of the past 10 Newmarket Handicap winners had their final lead-up in a Group 1.

The Mick Price-trained Samaready was a first-up third in the race while Danny O’Brien’s reigning Newmarket Handicap winner Shamexpress finished one better in second.

That was a nice improvement on their sixth in the same famous sprint down the straight six from last autumn, after which they took out the Newmarket.

The final single figure fancy for Saturday’s clash is then Lankan Rupee in gate 13 who has won their four most recent runs.

So are these three the ones to put your money on for the Newmarket Handicap win?

Or is there value to be found further down the markets from a double figure chance such as the Peter Moody-trained Moment Of Change ($10) who jumps from gate seven – the most successful Newmarket Handicap barrier in the past 30 years?

1^st

#2 Lankan Rupee ($5)

Originally held top-spot in the Newmarket odds, has eased a bit but still looks the one to beat for us. Has a wide barrier 13 draw to overcome but in this race barriers matter little with five of the past eight winners jumping from double digits. Has won their past four straight so knows how to win and is in flying form. First-up in the Rubiton was by four lengths then defeated top field in the Oakleigh. It’s that win we’re tipping the form to stand up in the Newmarket again too as the Oakleigh has produced four of the past 10 Newmarket winners including Weekend Hussler who completed the double in 2008.

2^nd

#4 Shamexpress ($4.60)

Plenty to like about O’Brien’s reigning champ after their first-up second to Snitzerland in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes, will appreciate the extra distance here again like they did 12 months ago improving on a Lightning sixth to win the Newmarket. Have more weight this year though (51.5kg up to 56kg) so will need to be at their best, but solid chance from gate three with the race’s most successful jockey Damien Oliver in the saddle.

3^rd

#6 Spirit Of Boom ($15)

Bit of value here in the Queenslander who continues to pop up in the interstate Group 1 placings. Tony Gollan’s galloper gets in with a good weight 55.5kg and gate (5). Improvement to come second-up following their close second in the Oakleigh, the form of which we like.

Whether you’re backing or sacking our Newmarket Handicap 2014 selections make sure you get the best odds by betting online at Ladbrokes.com.au where you’ll get your money back up to $50 if your horse runs 2^nd or 3^rd in the race!

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