One of the early features on the A.D. Hollindale Stakes Day card at the Gold Coast Racecourse this Saturday is the 2015 BTC Chairman’s Handicap, a betting preview and our insider tips for which are found below.

Index Linked carries the top weight but is still the Races.com.au tip to win Saturday’s 2015 BTC Chairman’s Handicap at the Gold Coast. Photo: Sarah Ebbett.

Set to run as Race 3 at 12:52pm (AEST) on Saturday afternoon in Queensland, the field for this year’s $125,000 Group 3 BTC Chairman’s Handicap (2200m) is down to nine hopefuls following the early scratching of Anton En Avant.

The race favourite and market mover in the latest Chairman’s Handicap betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au is Sir John Hawkwood ($3.60 into $3.20) drawn nicely in gate three with Luke Nolen riding the Peter Moody-trained six-year-old.

The gelding is only lightly-raced for his age with 15 previous starts for five wins, his latest start producing a good second to Tremec in the Group 2 ATC Chairman’s Handicap (2600m) over more distance at Randwick on a wet track earlier in the month.

Close second favourite in the Chairman’s Handicap odds at $3.80, out from an opening price of $3.60, is then Index Linked on the rails with Glen Boss in the saddle.

Chris Waller prepares the 59kg top weight, winner of the Mornington Cup Prelude – Yarra Valley Cup double earlier in the autumn.

The seven-year-old Dansili gelding was last seen running only seven days ago when fifth to Gypsy Diamond in the Group 3 JRA Plate (2000m) at Randwick on All Aged Stakes Day.

So will the top two in betting battle it out in the Chairman’s Handicap quinella on the weekend or can something of value score an upset like last start Sydney Chairman’s winner Tremec ($5), Hi Son ($7.50) or even Chris Munce’s last start Doomben winner Perplexity ($10)?

1^st

#1 Index Linked ($3.80)

Waller’s veteran gives the weight away to his rivals here but has the class to suggest he can still get the job done. Is on the short back-up after the nice JRA Plate fifth last week, and sometimes it is worth striking while the iron is hot. Yet to race at the track or distance but was in top form earlier in the autumn and from the inside alley he will be getting the box seat run. Better track and should improve.

2^nd

#3 Tremec ($5)

A big threat again here the John Thompson-trained Zabeel six-year-old Tremec improved on some pretty nothing form to beat them home in the wet in the Chairman’s in Sydney last start. He liked the track that day and any extra rain will further aid his chances here. Drops in distance and goes up in weight so needs to be spot on.

3^rd

#8 Perplexity ($10)

For value Munce’s runner is a nice addition, the in-form Lonhro gelding having won two of his past three runs and going into this class challenge super fit. Has an excellent record at the distance (6-3-0-2) and is a previous winner at the track and distance so ticking plenty of boxes.

Get behind our Chairman’s Handicap 2015 betting tips, or your own selections in the BTC-run event at the Gold Coast online through Ladbrokes.com.au and bet with confidence in their Best Tote or SP markets!