The key support act on the Civic Stakes Day card at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday has the stayers facing off in the Winter Cup 2017, betting tips and the latest odds on the mile and a half feature found below.

Running as Rosehill Race 5 at 1:45pm (AEST), this season’s $125,000 Listed ATC Winter Cup (2400m) has drawn a small but classy field of 10 gallopers.

There’s a clear favourite in Winter Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.com.au this year with the rails-drawn Gallic Chieftain ($2.45) from the Darren Weir stables tipped as the one to beat.

The progressive four-year-old stallion comes off a 2040m win at Moonee Valley from June 3 and steps up for his first black-type assignment here.

He has won up to 2250m and the extra distance this weekend doesn’t look an issue, but can he handle the field of better performed stayers?

Occupying the second line of the Winter Stakes odds at $5 is the early market mover Montauk for Chris Waller, looking to improve on a close third over 2000m here on a Heavy (8) track a fortnight back.

The More Than Ready four-year-old has had a dozen starts at Rosehill without a win, hasn’t been first past the post in any race since February and is yet to win over further than 2000m.

Has he been crying out for this distance?

Rounding out the single-figure Winter Cup hopes in 2017 are Waller’s Stayers Cup graduate Soviet Courage ($7.50) drawn a treat in barrier four and well weighted on the 53kg minimum, and Black Tomahawk ($9) for Weir.

So will the favourite salute or is there an upset Winter Cup result on the cards this weekend from the likes of the 61kg top weight Destiny’s Kiss ($10) who will appreciate the give out of the track or the Godolphin-raced Alegria ($11)?

1^st

#9 Soviet Courage ($7.50)

Waller’s Dutch Art six-year-old is a three-time winner from seven previous Rosehill runs and is a real mudlark, so if the rain is around he’s your winner by plenty. Last start on a Heavy (10) over the two miles proved too far, so he’ll relish coming back to 2400m here. He’s got a nice record at the distance (10-3-0-4) and also drops from 57kg to 53kg with a gun gate four draw to boot. He’ll be flying and looks hard to hold out after the brave third when two lengths off the winner in the McKell Cup over this distance in late May as a $31 roughie.

2^nd

#6 Montauk ($5)

Early money is coming for this Waller galloper who can hand his trainer the quinella. A progressive four-year-old who is up over the distance for the first time. Caught the eye running a good third to Supply And Demand here in the wet on July 17 over 2000m. Well-weighted again and is racing in consistent form. An open race and he is a genuine place chance.

3^rd

#8 Araldo Junior ($11)

Michael Moroney-trained import who has winning form up to 2800m, but remains unplaced from four 2400m starts. Hasn’t won since a 2500m runaway effort at Flemington in June last year, but could be due. Wasn’t far off Supply And Demand over 2000m last time out, the extra distance suits and at his best is capable of a top three finish.

Get in on our insider Winter Cup 2017 betting tips now at the right Rosehill odds online through Ladbrokes.com.au.