A key support race on the Coolmore Classic Day program in Sydney this weekend is the Ajax Stakes 2017, betting tips and the latest odds on the Doncaster Mile lead-up found below.

Due to jump at 5:00pm (AEDT) as Rosehill Race 8 on the nine event card, this season’s $200,000 Group 2 Hyland Race Colours Ajax Stakes (1500m) field features a dozen smart gallopers.

Updated Ajax Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au feature nearly half the line-up at single figures including the narrow $4.80 favourite Dibayani for the in-form Lindsay Park stable.

Tracking towards a run on Day 1 of ‘The Championships’ in the $3 million Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m), the consistent Shamardal seven-year-old is top fancy to finally break his maiden status down under.

He came very close in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) in the spring going down a nose to Hauraki and was last seen running fourth behind wonder mare Winx in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m).

The others at the pointy end of Ajax Stakes betting this Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival include the Chris Waller-trained French import Arod ($6.50) and Lindsay Park’s other key runner He’s Our Rokkii ($6.50) out to improve on the close seventh in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) a fortnight back.

So can the top fancies salute in the Ajax Stakes results 2017 or is there value further down the markets from the likes of last year’s winner It’s Somewhat ($8) or even Joe Pride’s progressive four-year-old New Tipperary ($9) on just 53kg?

1^st

#2 Arod ($5.50)

Waller’s Teofilo stallion has a wide barrier but plenty of time to get there over a mile. He’s won over this distance in Europe and should really enjoy getting out to 1600m third-up. Set to peak and post his first Australian victory off the nice second in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) in the wet last time out. Consistent with scope.

2^nd

#10 New Tipperary ($9)

Love the price offered on one or the race’s unknowns. The High Chaparral four-year-old was on fire last prep winning three on the trot over 1600m – 1900m in Sydney including back-to-back Rosehill wins. Loves the track and is back here second-up off the Liverpool City Cup sixth. Still only beaten four lengths there, will eat-up the extra metres and is well-weighted again with Brenton Avdulla retaining the ride.

3^rd

#1 It’s Somewhat ($8)

John O’Shea-trained six-year-old back to defend his Ajax Stakes title. Won second-up last season and resumes here off two Sydney trials. Good form over the spring including the George Main Stakes third to Winx, goes pretty well fresh, loves Rosehill (4-2-1-0) and even with the top weight (59kg) is a danger from barrier one with English hoop William Buick riding.

Back the top Ajax Stakes 2017 betting tips online now at Ladbrokes.com.au – home of Odds Boost (T&Cs apply).