Super Saturday at Flemington features two autumn Group 1s including the sprinters facing off in the Newmarket Handicap 2018, tips and exotic betting selections on the showdown detailed below.

Rich Charm is the Races.com.au tip to win the Newmarket Handicap 2018 down the Flemington straight on Super Saturday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

It’s a top class field of 15 in the Group 1 $1.25 million Newmarket Handicap (1200m) down the iconic Straight Six this weekend and it is the three-year-old Merchant Navy ($5) heading the markets at Ladbrokes.com.au.

The Fastnet Rock colt is second-up and fitter for the narrow third when a quarter-length off Super Cash at Caulfield in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m).

That hasn’t been a traditionally good lead-up form-wise for the Newmarket Handicap, but the three-year-olds have a good record in the race and Merchant Navy should enjoy returning to the track / distance he won the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) over during the spring.

If not Merchant Navy, the bookies have four further hopes under $10 in the Newmarket Handicap odds including the ultra-consistent Rich Charm ($7) who is a specialist at 1200m (10:6-2-1), and reigning champion Redkirk Warrior ($7) with a notable hoodoo to overcome along with the top weight and widest gate.

Earlier we published our comprehensive Newmarket Handicap 2018 Form Guide & Betting Preview, our below tips on the lucrative sprint based on the race facts and stats uncovered there.

1^st

#4 Rich Charm ($7)

This is one of the most open editions of the Newmarket Handicap and over half these can win. Going for a little bit of value in the Udyta Clarke-trained Rich Charm who never runs a bad race and is deserving of a Group 1 success. Gets the run of the race from barrier six and gets in on just 52.5kg. That’s a nice drop back from the 57.5kg he carted to the close fourth in the Rubiton Stakes last time out. That was first-up and he presents fitter here returning to his pet track (5:3-0-1) that he saluted in a Group 2 on VRC Derby Day in a high-rating affair last November. Beat home Hell Bent in the Rubiton and that hors franked the form with the close Oakleigh Plate third next-up. Loves the 1200m (10:6-2-1) and can get the job done.

2^nd

#14 Booker ($8.50)

The last filly to win was Alinghi (2005) but this local Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra-trained daughter of Written Tycoon is building momentum. Won first-up at Caulfield before being beaten only a quarter-length in a blanket finish for fourth to Russian Revolution in the Oakleigh Plate where she had no luck racing wide throughout. Flemington straight suits, she was third to Catchy here in mid-September, and gets the chance to beat her home here from a nice barrier (3) on just 50kg. 75% place rate and winning form at Flemington are two other pluses. Oakleigh form stacks up.

3^rd

#6 Supido ($14)

Love the overs on Supido who remains a Place chance even from the wide barrier. This entire is a Flemington specialists with four wins from six starts at the track. Returned in the Black Caviar Lightning only 1.5 lengths away fourth to Redkirk Warrior and now drops from 58.5kg there to 52.5kg. That’s the key, the weights, with lightweight runners dominating the Newmarket Handicap over the years. 47% Win Rate and ticks too many boxes to ignore.

Lock in our upset Newmarket Handicap 2018 tips at the best Super Saturday racing odds now through Ladbrokes.com.au.