Nine sprinters remain in contention for Saturday’s featured Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) in Brisbane following this morning’s scratching of Divine Centuri; offering punters exceptional value from a betting standpoint and several key opportunities to place a winning wager.

Delectation is the Races.com.au tip to win Saturday’s Group 1 Doomben 10,000. Photo: Steve Hart

Azkadellia has returned to racing in career-best form this year and remains outright $2.70 favourite in 2016 Doomben 10,000 betting markets with Ladbrokes.com.au, ahead of Fell Swoop ($4.80) and Delectation ($5).

Will Azkadellia justify favouritism and win the 2016 Doomben 10,000, or will one of her talented rivals post an upset?

1^st

Delectation ($5)

Group 1 winner Delectation is yet to hit peak condition this time, but has been geared towards the Doomben 10,000 and could very well receive the run of the race from the ideal barrier 2. Capping an impressive 2015 campaign with a maiden win at the highest level in the Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m), Delectation ran fifth in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) first-up, but was unable to beat a runner home in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) in early March. Placing mid-field in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) on Day 1 of The Championships, the Shamardal gelding is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from his most recent run for eighth in the Group 1 BTC Cup (1200m) a fortnight ago and will be partnered by leading hoop James McDonald.

2^nd

Hooked ($26)

Hooked is a proven first-up performer, is drawn ideally in barrier 3 and will be partnered by in-form hoop Jim Byrne in the 2016 Doomben 10,000. Placed at Group 1 level several times through a competitive career so far, the Casino Prince entire returned to racing in spring for a commanding win over classy company in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1200m), but returned to the paddock after a few lacklustre performances. Having trialled well in the lead-up to his return this weekend, Hooked undoubtedly offered punters the best value for money at current Doomben 10,000 odds of $26 for success or $6.30 to finish in the first three.

3^rd

Fell Swoop ($5)

Fell Swoop has returned to racing in career-best form this time, but is yet to contest a race over more than 1200m and is therefore a query at the 1350 trip of the Doomben 10,000. Finishing an agonizingly-close second to Flamberge in a photo in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) first-up, the Not A Single Doubt gelding progressed to fourth in the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) before again running second to Chautauqua in the TJ Smith Stakes. Arriving in Brisbane for success in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m), Fell Swoop placed fifth following a tough run in transit in the BTC Cup a fortnight ago.

Do you agree with our 2016 Doomben 10,000 tips? Open an account at Ladbrokes.com.au today and have your say with the best odds available online!