All the money for this afternoon’s Sydney Cup 2015 at Randwick Racecourse is coming in for the race favourite Hartnell who is now odds-on to win the two mile classic on Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day.

Hartnell is now odds-on favourite to win the 2015 Sydney Cup over the two miles at Randwick this afternoon. Photo: Steve Hart.

John O’Shea and the Godolphin operation may have lost their hot favourite Contributer for the $4 million Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) yesterday due to lameness, but the stable is still shooting for a big elite level win on Day 2 of The Championships with fellow import Hartnell.

The in-form son of Authorized is one of 11 remaining hopefuls for the $1.6 million Group 1 Schweppes 150^th Sydney Cup (3200m), running as Randwick Race 8 at 3:55pm (AEST), with Red Cadeaux the only scratching as he runs in the Queen Elizabeth instead.

Four-year-old Hartnell has had three starts down under since transferring from Europe and has been ultra-impressive posting a Group 1 second on debut and then back-to-back wins at his two most recent runs.

His first victory in Australia was in the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2000m) on March 14 before a victory over Japan’s To The World, now favourite for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, in the Group 1 The BMW (2400m) a fortnight later.

He backs up from that The BMW win in the Sydney Cup today getting out over the 3200m, a distance he has won his only other start over.

The rain fell overnight in Sydney forcing a Heavy track for the day and while the Randwick track is softening the Sydney Cup odds at Ladbrokes.com.au for Hartnell to win are firming.

After opening as long as $2.80 for the win he is now at a short but deserving odds-on price of $1.95 to continue his winning streak with two Group 1 victories on the trot and become the first horse to complete The BMW – Sydney Cup double in over 30 years.

So which horses can beat Hartnell home?

According to the updated Sydney Cup betting markets the only genuine threats are the now $4.80 second elect Protectionist, the Melbourne Cup winning German import in barrier two and coming off a The BMW fifth, and Melbourne Cup third placed Who Shot Thebarman.

Chris Waller’s Auckland Cup winner Who Shot Thebarman is on the drift out from $4.80 to $5 for the upset win today but looks great value as he carries 54.5kg compared to Protectionist’s 58kg top weight and his wet track form is also very good.

The Yamanin Vital six-year-old comes off a The BMW fourth, which he’ll be improving on over more distance, and he’s won one of his three runs on Heavy going so can handle the conditions today.

The rest of the field are all easing and being wound out in the markets including Big Memory ($15 out to $18) and Hong Kong galloper Dominant ($13 out to $19).

Check out the latest Sydney Cup 2015 betting odds below, following the links to our preferred online bookmaker Ladbrokes.com.au to get behind your top picks for the staying showdown this afternoon!

2015 Sydney Cup Odds