This Saturday in Melbourne the 2014 Sir John Monash Stakes runs as the country’s sole Group race, betting tips for the weight-for-age clash found below.

Running as Caulfield Race 6 at 3:35pm, this year’s $135,000 Group 3 Polytrack Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) features a field of just nine sprinters.

Of those the red hot favourite at a current quote of $2.40 through Ladbrokes.com.au is Lord Of The Sky.

Robbie Laing’s Danerich colt has the inside alley on Saturday and is second-up after a nice win at the track from May 17, an effort they’re tipped to repeat as they go up in class here.

It is their first WFA test, but the Cranbourne-based Laing believes his got a genuine star sprinter in the making here and is optimistic they can rise to the occasion in the Monash.

Still, he knows this is the acid test to determine if his high opinion of the galloper is warranted.

“He’s nearly a four-year-old and we’ve got to go to battle against the better company at some stage,” Laing said on RSN.

“He’s got a big step up in weight (51.5kg to 58kg) from his last-start win, where he was on the minimum and we took a claim.

“He’s stepping up to weight-for-age company for the first time, but he seems to have the right attributes for it.”

The other top fancies for the Monash Stakes then include Ken Sweeney’s Adelaide Group 1 performer Riziz ($5), Le Bonsir ($5), African Pulse ($7) racing for the first time since being gelded and the Peter Moody-trained Ready To Rip ($7.50).

So with a favourite facing a number of challenges and a field of other single figure hopes with genuine claims, Races.com.au are here to sort the pretenders from the genuine contenders for you.

1^st

#4 Le Bonsir ($5)

We’re tipping an upset from Mick Price’s Choisir six-year-old who looks ready to peak after a nice lead-up. Two back they were runner-up to Lonhspresso down the Flemington straight in a black-type sprint that has produced a number of Saturday’s hopefuls including Ready To Rip (7^th) and Riziz (10^th) who had the 60kg. Le Bonsir carried 57.5kg there and was defeated only a long neck before racing again on June 21 at the Valley for a close fourth with 57kg. Up in weights under but well positioned, in good form, gate two draw and plenty to like.

2^nd

#8 Lord Of The Sky ($2.40)

Deserving favourite with plenty of upside but think they’re just the bit short to back for the win and think they might struggle under WFA first go. Will improve for sure and are showing all the signs of a very nice type having won four from seven so far.

3^rd

#1 Ready To Rip ($7.50)

It may have been a year between wins for Moody’s More Than Ready gelding but think there’s something dangerous about the rising seven-year-old. They were fifth in the Group 1 The Goodwood two back and seventh in the Straight Six but at Caulfield where they’ve got a nice record (5-2-0-2) they’ll be better suited and ready to improve especially under WFA after their 59.5kg weight in the Straight Six.

Get behind our Sir John Monash Stakes 2014 betting tips for this weekend online now at Ladbrokes.com.au.

Ladbrokes are the only online bookmaker in the country allowing customers instant access to their account, and their winnings, 24 hours a day in cash from any ATM thanks to their exclusive Ladbrokes.com.au so check them out today!

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