The Darren Weir trained Big Duke is the short priced favourite to win the Group 1 $2m Schweppes 2017 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick on the second day of ‘The Championships’ on Saturday.

Big Duke, above, is the favourite for the 2017 Sydney Cup at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Big Duke has drawn barrier five in the fourteen horse Sydney Cup field and is chasing his fourth win on the trot with Craig Williams shooting for a hat trick on the five year old.

Williams was aboard Big Duke when he won on protest the Group 3 $150,000 Irresistible Pools & Spas N E Manion Cup (2400m) at Rosehill on March 18 and tha pair then combined to win the Group 2 $300,000 Schweppes Chairman’s Handicap (2600m) at Randwick last Saturday.

Sydney Cup betting at Ladbrokes.com.au has Big Duke the clear cut favourite at $2.80 well ahead of the second pick Assign at $7 and the Chris Waller trained Who Shot Thebarman at $8.

The Robert Hickmott trained Assign is also a last start winner with Damien Oliver replacing Ben Melham who was aboard the six year old when he won the Group 3 $150,000 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 25.

Who Shot Thebarman is one of three runners trainer Chris Waller will saddle up in the Sydney along with Libran and Kinema.

Blake Shinn rides top weight Who Shot Thebarman, replacing Tim Clark who will be aboard the lightly weighted Kinema while Hugh Bowman takes over from Glyn Schofield on Libran.

Who Shot Thebarman, barrier four, and Libran, barrier thirteen, both had their final Sydney Cup led up runs in the Group 1 $1.5m The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on March 25 finishing fourth and sixth respectively behind the Ciaron Maher trained Jameka.

Godolphin’s English trainer Charlie Appleby has Penglai Pavilion and Polarisation running in the Sydney Cup field 2017 and the John O’Shea trained Tally will also carry the famous Godolphin royal blue colours.

Penglai Pavilion, barrier six with Kerrin McEvoy to ride, and Polarisation, barrier eleven with Corey Brown in the saddle, both have good staying credentials coming out of England and are well in contention in the latest Sydney Cup odds online paying $9 and $13.

Tally put himself back into Sydney Cup contention with a last start win in the Listed $300,000 Ladbrokes Mornington Cup (2400m) at Mornington on March 25.

Tommy Berry takes over from Andrew Mallyon on Tally who drew gate eight in the Sydney Cup barrier draw.

Early market order for the Sydney Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au: $2.80 Big Duke, $7 Assign, $8 Who Shot Thebarman, $9 Penglai Pavilion, $13 Tally, Polarisation, $15 Libran, Chance To Dancer, Vengeur Masque, $21 Almoonqith, $26 Annus Mirabilis, Kinema, $51 Mister Impatience, $67 Pentathlon.

Check out the full 2017 Sydney Cup Field, Barriers & Weights below before heading to Ladbrokes.com.au to back your favourites at the right price.

2017 Sydney Cup Final Field & Barrier Draw

Randwick Race 8 (3:55pm) – 08/04/2017