The bookies are taking no chances with the flying Darren Weir stable as he prepares to win the big one in Brisbane on Saturday with his French import Articus gaining on the favourite It’s Somewhat in 2017 Doomben Cup betting.

A capacity field of weight-for-age winter horses face off in this weekend’s $650,000 Group 1 Hardy Brothers Doomben Cup (2000m) including the Godolphin-raced top elect It’s Somewhat.

Chasing a fourth win from as many starts this time in, the now Darren Beadman-trained Dynaformer six-year-old took out the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (2000m) two back.

He then won the traditional Doomben Cup lead-up with a narrow victory at the Gold Coast a fortnight back in the Group 2 A.D. Hollindale Stakes (1800m).

Set to appreciate the extra metres of Saturday’s Group 1, It’s Somewhat is the current $4.20 favourite in the latest Doomben Cup odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au.

Hot on his heels at $4.60 to keep the outstanding autumn for the Victorian-based Weir going is then Areion stallion Articus.

After two 13^th place finishes at Caulfield to start proceedings down under, including behind Jameka in the Caulfield Cup on debut in Australia last October, Articus was in the winner’s stall last time out at Flemington on May 6.

Carrying 60kg in an 1800m handicap, the improving stallion was too good for a decent field and is out to bring that form to the sunshine state stepping up to his preferred distance.

From six runs over the 2000m, Articus boasts four wins and a second and will also appreciate coming back to the weight-for-age scale.

Last Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival, Our Ivanhowe ($16) was the first double-figure Doomben Cup winner since Scenic Shot ($12 in 2009).

The other single-figure fancies in the mix this weekend outside the top two are Sense Of Occasion ($9) with the outside alley to overcome and Single Gaze ($9) for Canberra’s Nick Olive.

Corey Brown rides the Kris Lees-trained Doncaster Mile and Queen Elizabeth Stakes third placegetter Sense Of Occasion on the weekend.

The galloper is out to improve on a lead-up sixth to It’s Somewhat in the Hollindale Stakes when defeated under three lengths.

The Street Sense gelding has had just the one previous run at Doomben Racecourse when runner-up in the 2015 Brisbane Cup (2200m).

History is against Sense Of Occasion looking at the Doomben Cup barriers too, with the only champion to salute from gate 16 in over 30 years being Bush Padre (2003).

The record of mares in the Doomben Cup results is poor, but the bookies are keeping Single Gaze safe in the markets this year after her nice lead-up performances.

Two back the four-year-old daughter of Not A Single Doubt won the Listed Tails Quality Handicap (1600m) at Doomben before she was only a neck beaten in the Hollindale Stakes last time out.

Of the hopes at longer Doomben Cup odds chasing the upset this season those with genuine claims include Weir’s Perth Cup winner Star Exhibit ($11) and early market mover and his stablemate Amelie’s Star ($13 into $10) coming off an Adelaide win in the Group 2 Queen Of The South Stakes (1600m) two weeks back.

Check out the latest Doomben Cup 2017 betting odds below, pricing and offers open now at Ladbrokes.com.au.

2017 Doomben Cup Odds