Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott’s progressive mare Sort After has opened clear favourite in 2017 Ipswich Cup betting for her first trip to Queensland this weekend.

Tulloch Lodge’s progressive mare Sort After leads 2017 Ipswich Cup betting for this weekend’s Queensland Winter Racing feature. Photo: Steve Hart.

A final field of 15 winter stayers faces off in this year’s $175,000 Listed Channel 7 Ipswich Cup (2150m) including the Tulloch Lodge-trained Sort After.

The four-year-old daughter of Wanted is drawn out in barrier 11, but has plenty of time to overcome the alley as she stretches out over further than 2019m for the first time.

She hasn’t won since a three length romp home at Flemington over 1700m last Melbourne Cup Carnival, but has been competitive in a number of races since.

Her two latest runs were in Adelaide during the autumn carnival when under two lengths beaten by Amelie’s Star in the Group 2 Queen Of The South Stakes (1600m) and then second in the Listed Centaurea Stakes (2019m) on May 20.

A Sunshine Coast trial for second over 1270m on June 6 has brought her on fitness-wise and Sort After looks well-weighted sith Corey Brown to ride on 54.5kg.

The bookies are taking no chances and she leads the latest Ipswich Cup odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au paying $3.60 to overcome the awkward alley.

Occupying the second line of Ipswich Cup betting and firming is Benzini ($5 into $4.60) who gives the weight away to his 14 rivals carrying a hefty 60kg.

Prepared across the Tasman by Adrian & Harry Bull, the now seven-year-old Tale Of The Cat gelding chases his first win since the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm last year.

He has finished fourth in his two Brisbane lead-ups during the winter carnival this season, including behind Chocante in this year’s Brisbane Cup that ran over 2200m at Doomben on June 10.

Benzini will be on the short seven day turnaround in the Ipswich Cup looking for a consolation win and already there’s early money for the Kiwi raider.

Rounding out the single-figure hopes at $5.50 is then the Michael Nolan-trained Jumbo Prince from Toowoomba.

The five-year-old Outback Prince stallion has an excellent Ipswich track record with a win and two seconds from his three previous runs to date.

Last Queensland Winter Racing Carnival he was three and a half-lengths back second to Maurus in the Ipswich Cup carrying 56.5kg.

A string of nice winter placings followed when runner-up in the Caloundra Cup and third in the Grafton Cup, form Nolan is hoping Jumbo Prince can return to starting on Saturday.

Out to improve on his 12^th in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2200m) on a Heavy Eagle Farm track on May 27, Jumbo Prince is drawn well in barrier four this weekend with Jeff Lloyd to ride on 58kg.

Of the longer-priced hopes those with genuine claims include David Brideoake’s unplaced Brisbane Cup graduate Self Sense ($10), last start Sunshine Coast winning Tavistock mare Tessastock ($12) and the consistent Toowoomba Cup runner-up from April Magnatune ($16) all getting in on the 54kg minimum.

Check out the latest Ipswich Cup 2017 odds below, pricing available online now at Ladbrokes.com.au.