The opening Melbourne Cup Carnival race day runs at the famous Flemington Racecourse on Saturday with 2016 Victoria Derby Day, best bets for the all-Group race card from the Races.com.au team detailed below.

Racing kicks off this Derby Day at 11:45pm (AEDT) and continues through until Race 9 brings the action to a close – and the release of the Melbourne Cup field closer – at 5:20pm (AEDT).

Highlighting the spring racing action are four Group 1 majors including the marquee showdown – the $1.5 million Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) featuring a capacity field of three-year-olds including the well-supported Vase winner Sacred Elixir ($2.90).

Outside of the Derby field there are the sprinters facing off the Coolmore Stud Stakes, the fillies and mares in the Myer Classic and the milers in the Cantala Stakes making for a big day on the punt.

There’s value to be had at the bookies right across the Victoria Derby Day card and below are our inside Flemington Best Bets for you to back now at Ladbrokes.com.au to kick off Cup week in the money!

In The Big One (Race 7) – 2016 Victoria Derby

#1 Sacred Elixir ($2.90)

The favourites have only won two of the past 10 editions of the Derby, but the form is too strong to ignore for this year’s firming top fancy. He comes off a win in last weekend’s Vase and that race has produced more winners of Saturday’s Group 1 than any other lead-up in the past 30 years. The fact he is from New Zealand further boosts his chances historically speaking as from 35 runner sin the past 10 Derby fields, New Zealand bred galloper shave won seven and two were prepared across the Tasman . That’s imposing form, plus he gets barrier one. Back him don’t sack him.

Read our full 2016 Victoria Derby Betting Tips now!

Better Than Bank Interest (Race 4) – 2016 Lexus Stakes

#8 Oceanographer ($2.50)

This Godolphin raider is from the in-form Charlie Appleby stables in the UK, who have been dominating down under in the staying races this spring. They won both the Geelong Cup and Bendigo Cup with Kerrin McEvoy ridden horses, and he jumps on this Sea The Stars gelding in the Group 3 Lexus Stakes (2500m) on the weekend. The horse ran third in the Geelong Cup on debut down under and was beaten under a length by his stablemate. This is his final chance to make the 24-starter Melbourne Cup field and McEvoy, on the 54kg minimum, will be doing his best to get the job done for the boss.

Read our full 2016 Lexus Stakes Betting Tips now!

Best Upset To Win (Race 5) – 2016 Coolmore Stud Stakes

#6 Russian Revolution ($10)

Ten dollars might not seem like too much of an “upset” in a Group 1, but with a field of just nine left in this Group 1 for the three-year-old sprinters and three at single-figures the value is there in the undefeated Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Sydney raider. Extreme Choice ($3.10), Astern ($3.40) and Star Turn ($4.20) are tipped to run the Coolmore Stud Stakes trifecta, and they have bucket loads of class. But this horse hasn’t put a foot wrong ahead of his Sydney debut, including winning the Roman Consul Stakes that has been the formline to follow in the Group 1 Flemington straight sprint.

Read our full 2016 Coolmore Stud Stakes Betting Tips now!

Best Roughie To Place (Race 4) – 2016 Lexus Stakes

#9 Black Tomahawk ($21)

The Melbourne Cup-bound stayers battle it out for the ballot exemption into the world’s richest handicap, but at the blowout price for the win is the Darren Weir-trained perennial placegetter. Stablemate Real Love ($5.50) is one of the best in betting, and considering this seven-year-old has run second or third in the six latest, he can follow her into the trifecta. Gets in on just 54kg, Craig Williams jumps off the mare to ride this champ and he’s got killer Place form at the track (4-0-3-1) and distance (6-0-3-2).

Last Of The Day (Race 9) – 2016 Salinger Stakes

#8 Ocean Embers ($10)

Closing the card is this lucrative Group 2 sprint full of class, and in the mix at double-figures drawn the rails and getting in on 54.5kg with Williams riding is a nice mare with winning claims. The four-year-old won the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) two back from barrier 14 of 14, and more than held her own when fourth to Star Turn in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) last start. Flemington is the test, but she is down in weights and gets the run of the race.

Read out full 2016 Salinger Stakes Betting Tips now! 

For the best Victoria Derby Day betting odds and offers head to our No. 1 recommended online bookmaker Ladbrokes.com.au now who are the home of Enhanced Odds (T&Cs apply)

*All odds quoted are Fixed Win from Ladbrokes.com.au and subject to change