This afternoon at Caulfield Racecourse at the mid-week meeting the Blue Sapphire Stakes 2016 for three-year-olds takes centre stage, betting tips and the latest odds for which are found below.

Flying Artie is the odds-on favourite and Races.com.au tip to win the 2016 Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Due to run as Caulfield Race 6 at 4:25pm (AEDT) there are 12 remaining runners in the $350,000 Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) following the early scratching of Palladian (12).

Heading the latest Blue Sapphire Stakes betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au at an odds-on quote of $1.70 and firming is Flying Artie.

The Mick Price-trained colt has his first run of the season and after opening at $2.25 has been heavily supported to kick off his campaign with a win.

Drawn a treat in barrier four with ace Victorian hoop Damien Oliver reuniting with the Blue Diamond (2^nd) and Golden Slipper (3^rd) placegetter, Flying Artie is the one to beat.

His biggest threats according to the bookmakers and the only other single figure chances in the Blue Sapphire Stakes odds are the consistent Darren Weir-trained Dream Ahead colt Ken’s Dream ($5.50), Lindsay Park’s Hinchinbrook colt Derryn ($7) and the Danny O’Brien-trained filly Merriest ($9.50).

So can Flying Artie salute for the punters or is there an upset Blue Sapphire Stakes result pending from the likes of the undefeated Barthelona ($17) or the John O’Shea-trained Lonhro colt Radcliffe ($15)?

1^st

#1 Flying Artie ($1.70)

He’s being backed like there’s nothing else in the field, but even at the short price this colt is the one to beat. His two latest runs back in the autumn were in Group 1 company and he finished in the money in both, so has genuine class. The form out of both the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper has since been franked with the former’s winner Extreme Choice winning the Moir Stakes and the latter’s runner-up Yankee Rose making history with her Spring Champion Stakes win last Saturday. Think this up-and-comer will get a soft run from the gate (4), Oliver is the man you want aboard and he’ll be saluting.

2^nd

#5 Barthelona ($17)

Good price offered for this unbeaten Michael Moroney-trained Zoffany colt who has won all three of his career starts in Victoria to date comfortably. Two back at Sandown-Hillside he put nearly three lengths on Tris, before his 1100m Caulfield win on September 17 from a wide barrier (11 of 11). He is proven at the track, should enjoy the extra metres here and from the better barrier (9) with Ryan Maloney staying on he’s the value.

3^rd

#10 Heptagon ($34)

Roughie hope also representing local trainer Price, this stablemate of the top fancy can get a run from the inside alley with Craig Newitt aboard and finish in the money at a blowout price. If he stays out of trouble from barrier one there’s plenty to suggest in this open race he can return the way he went out, winning over 1100m at Ballarat in March.

Whether you’re backing or sacking our Blue Sapphire Stakes 2016 tips, make sure you’ve got access to the Caulfield Racing Carnival’s hottest odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au.