In-form Japanese raider To The World leads the latest Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2015 odds for this afternoon’s Royal Randwick major following the scratching of former favourite Contriubter from the classic.

Known mudlark Criterion is the genuine 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes market mover for this afternoon’s major in Sydney. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia.

Due to run as Race 9 at 4:35pm (AEST) on Day 2 of The Championships in Sydney today, this year’s $4 million Group 1 Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) lost the top fancy Contriubter to lameness.

Trainer John O’Shea announced to Racing NSW stewards on the eve of the race that the Godolphin import, coming off back-to-back Group 1 wins this autumn, was found to be lame in his off-foreleg.

Ruled out of the weight-for-age feature, the last start Ranvet Stakes winner’s withdrawal caused a major change to the Queen Elizabeth Stakes betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au.

As soon as the scratching became official just after 5pm (AEST) on Friday afternoon, the bookies reacted by winding in the price for visiting King Kamehameha stallion To The World to win.

The in-form four-year-old, having just his second run down under today, has firmed in from $3.80 to $3.60 and sits top of the markets.

Randwick’s course proper is in the Heavy range following overnight rainfall, and while the Japanese galloper has no form on wet tracks, he is tipped as the one to beat following a first-up second to Hartnell in the Group 1 The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on March 28.

The most notable Queen Elizabeth Stakes market mover meanwhile is Lindsay Park’s acceptor, the internationally-performed Criterion.

Drawn a treat in barrier four for jockey Craig Williams, the former star three-year-old ticks plenty of boxes including his nice form at Randwick (8-1-2-2).

He has had two previous runs over the track and distance for two second place finishes, and is a gun on rain-affected tracks.

His lead-up form is also imposing, the Hong Kong Cup placegetter from December having run third in the Canterbury Stakes here on March 7 before his last start second to Japan’s Real Impact in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) on March 21.

He also trialled well at the track on March 31 when second on a Soft (7) behind Ecuador in the lead up to the Queen Elizabeth today.

The two other single figure hopes for the win today are then Chris Waller’s returning Cox Plate winner Adelaide ($8 into $6) and To The World’s stablemate Tosen Stardom ($7 into $6.50).

Value bets with good wet track form who are also firming fast then include the two mares taking on the boys in Royal Descent ($17 into $13) and Lucia Valentina ($15 into $14).

Of those, Waller’s former Australian Oaks winner Royal Descent looks an ace Each Way pick.

The five-year-old comes off a Doncaster Mile third and her record on Heavy tracks is imposing with a win, three seconds and a third from five previous runs on the going.

Check out the latest Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2015 odds below, then click on the links beside your favourites to back them online at Ladbrokes.com.au enjoying 20% more on your winnings thanks to their Best Tote or SP + 20% markets!

2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes Betting