A small but classy field of horses will tackle the mile this Saturday in the Group 2 Schweppes Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley, with betting tips set out below.

The 2014 Crystal Mile is one of six supporting black type races on Cox Plate Day, running as Race 6 at 4:10pm (AEDT).

After running a fantastic spring campaign that included two wins at the highest level of racing, Trust In A Gust opened and has maintained favouritism in the Crystal Mile betting market at Ladbrokes.com.au. The horse has firmed from $2.50 to $2.40 favourite, with Speediness ($5) his closest rival.

The majority of the runners are offering single figure odds with Hooked ($7), Akavoroun ($8), and Bull Point ($8.50) rounding out the top five.

Akavoroun has seen his interest wane, drifting from $6 to $8, due to his lack of winning this season despite three starts.

Will overwhelming favourite Trust In A Gust justify her price and win the 2014 Crystal Mile? Or will he choke under pressure, letting one of his classy rivals slip past him for the win? Check out our betting tips below to get an idea of who to back this weekend.

1^st

#5 Trust In A Gust ($2.40)

You cannot go past the market favourite when it comes to betting on the Crystal Mile. The Darren Weir-trained horse will jump wide of the field from gate seven with Brad Rawiller to ride, however this hasn’t deterred punters considering he won the Group 1 Rupert Clarke Charity Cup (1400m) and Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) from wide gates. This horse is in great form having won four of his last five starts, coming second in the fifth, which includes the two Group One races mentioned above. The only thing that could stop Trust In A Gust is the 58.5kg weight, up 6.5 kilos from what he carried to win the Rupert Clarke. Has a brilliant career record winning 10 of his 17 starts and placing in another five, which means he’s only finished outside the top three twice.

2^nd

#6 Hooked ($7)

John P Thompson’s Hooked is the market mover of the Crystal Mile odds having shortened from $8 to $7 overnight. The four-year-old horse will get the sought-after rails run after drawing barrier one with Craig Williams to ride. Won the Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) in September before coming third in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) on October 4. Is one of only a few runners not coming from the Rupert Clarke/Toorak so can add a variety to the field.

3^rd

#7 Bull Point ($8.50)

Chris Waller’s Bull Point is well-priced to round out your winning Crystal Mile trifecta, considering the horse will jump from barrier two with Ryan Moore in the saddle. Is in-form following two third placings and a second in spring, including holding his own against Trust In A Gust in the Rupert Clarke to finish third. He finished sixth in the Toorak last time out but had a very fast run, just 1½ lengths off the winner.

There is a lot of potential on the 2014 Crystal Mile field. If you agree with our betting tips, make sure you back them at Ladbrokes.com.au.

You could win $3 million this Saturday in the Ladbrokes Mega Pick – all for just $3!

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