All the money in 2016 Roman Consul Stakes betting is on the Golden Rose winner and odds-on favourite Astern to salute for the punters on Saturday, but is the John O’Shea-trained as sure a thing as the markets suggest?

A final field of just eight three-year-olds faces off in the $300,000 Group 2 The Star Roman Consul (1200m), the set weights sprint to run as Royal Randwick Race 5 at 2:40pm (AEST).

Heading the latest Roman Consul Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au at a short quote of $1.60 is the Godolphin-raced Astern chasing his fourth win on the trot and third this time in after completing the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) – Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) double.

O’Shea won those same two races as well as the Roman Consul last Sydney Spring Racing Carnival with Exosphere (2015), and the bookies are taking no chances with Astern to repeat the feat this weekend from barrier seven with James McDonald riding.

The only notable danger according to the Roman Consul Stakes betting markets at $3.50 is the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Golden Slipper winner Capitalist in his first run since the shock fourth first-up in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m).

See below for our insider tips on who to back and whether there’s any value tipping an upset Roman Consul Stakes result from a longer-priced hope such as Kris Lees’ last start Listed Heritage Stakes winner at the track a fortnight back Guard Of Honour ($11) or the unbeaten Russian Revolution ($15).

1^st

#1 Astern ($1.60)

This classy son of Medaglia D’Oro is very short, but very hard to bet against at the same time. He’s undefeated since the Golden Slipper 11^th from March and is going from strength to strength. The form history is in his favour, the Rose win by 2.3 lengths in Group 1 company on September 10 was excellent and he is undefeated at the Randwick track (2-2-0-0). It’s a small field and he’s got plenty of speed to easily handle his rivals coming back to 1200m.

2^nd

#4 Russian Revolution ($15)

Good odds for the other Team Snowden-trained runner in the field to stand up for a top three run here from the outside barrier, which is actually a nice spot at the Randwick track. The Snitzel colt has won all three of his career runs to date including over this track / distance by two lengths back in June. Latest run was in mid-August in Melbourne’s Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m), but he’s trialled twice since in Sydney and is ready to fly off the break.

3^rd

#2 Capitalist ($3.50)

Written Tycoon colt Capitalist was the gun two-year-old last season with the Golden Slipper triumph, but missed out on an ATC Sire’s run and then lost first-up as the beaten odds-on favourite behind Star Turn on August 13. He was always going to struggle under 60kg in the San Domenico, gets back to 1200m which is his pet distance (3-2-1-0), has won a recent trial at the Randwick track and is back to 56.5kg at set weights.

Check out the full Roman Consul Stakes 2016 form guide below then head to Ladbrokes.com.au to lock in our tips or your own betting selections at the right price!

2016 Roman Consul Stakes Form Guide