The Bendigo Cup 2016 takes centre stage today, Wednesday October 26, in Victoria and below are the insider tips and latest odds on the mile and a half showdown.

Just nine stayers are in the mix for this afternoon’s $300,000 Group 3 Jayco Bendigo Cup (2400m), the handicap clash set to jump at 4:00pm (AEDT).

Four of the hopefuls are currently under double-figures in Bendigo Cup betting at Ladbrokes.com.au including the clear $2.30 favourite and market mover Our Century.

Jumping from barrier four with Katelyn Mallyon retaining the ride on the 55kg minimum, the Team Williams’ import has just his third run down under.

He won over the distance at Caulfield carrying 59.5kg last time out on October 12, and is tipped to handle the step up in class over the same metres dropping in weight.

At the other end of the weight scale carrying 58kg, the Darren Weir-trained SA Derby winner Howard Be Thy Name ($4) is the next best in betting.

The four-year-old Redoute’s Choice stallion will need to be racing at his best to handle the kilos, especially going up from 53.5kg that he carried to fifth behind Assign last start in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m).

So will the two best in the Bendigo Cup odds get the job done or is there value further down the markets from the likes of the Danny O’Brien-trained Second Bullet ($6) or the Godolphin English raider Francis Of Assisi ($7) prepared by Charlie Appleby?

1^st

#5 Ferro Nero ($12)

Going for an upset Bendigo Cup result and tipping this Nigel Blackiston-trained Savabeel five-year-old to beat home his better fancied rivals at the juicy price. Jumps the inside alley and in a small field should be able to stay out of trouble. Yet to win over the distance and faces some genuine stayers, but if he handles the meters he can surprise. Carried 56.5kg to victory over 2000m at Caulfield a couple of weeks ago and dropping in weight (55kg) with Michael Walker retaining the ride is a genuine winning hope.

2^nd

#8 Our Century ($2.30)

The money is rolling in for the top fancy who only debuted down under for trainer Robert Hickmott on September 24 following over two years away from racing. His form in Europe included a second to Hartnell over two miles at Ascot, and that horse is now favourite for the 2016 Melbourne Cup. He is a dour stayer who will relish the meters after winning over 2400m at Caulfield carrying far more weight last start and is on the improve.

3^rd

#6 Francis Of Assisi ($7)

The raiders have been performing well in the staying spring features and that could continue here with Kerrin McEvoy riding this veteran seven-year-old first-up in the Bendigo Cup. He races for the first time since late July, but gets in very well in the weights and connections wouldn’t have brought him over if they didn’t think he was up to it.

Whether you’re backing or sacking our Bendigo Cup 2016 betting tips, make sure you’ve got access to Enhanced Odds (T&Cs apply) online at Ladbrokes.com.au.

2016 Bendigo Cup Betting Update