Godolphin’s evergreen veteran Cascadian on the quick back-up is tipped to go one better than his All-Star Mile second and return to winning form as favourite in Australian Cup 2023 betting this weekend at Flemington.

Veteran eight-year-old from the Godolphin stable, Cascadian, is one of the favourites to win Flemington’s 2023 Australian Cup this weekend in Victoria. Photo: Steve Hart.

The Group 1 $3 million Australian Cup (2000m) has moved to its own feature race day at HQ this autumn with the field for the weight-for-age classic attracting a capacity line-up.

Donning the number one saddlecloth is the James Cummings-trained favourite Cascadian.

The eight-year-old has his 47^th career start on the weekend and races at Flemington for the ninth time chasing his first win at the track.

The latest Australian Cup odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au have him as the $4.20 firming favourite to break his Flemington hoodoo on the quick seven-day turnaround.

Last weekend at Moonee Valley he was huge in the $5 million The All-Star Mile (1600m) running second to Mr Brightside.

He is fit third-up and ready to fire again in the Australian Cup field from barrier 11 with Ben Melham retaining the ride.

Cascadian is proven at the 2000m distance and is after his first victory since the Group 3 Craven Plate (1800m) at Randwick last October.

The dangers occupying the second line of Australian Cup betting on Saturday at an equal $7.50 are Grahame Begg’s last start Group 2 Blamey Stakes winner Nonconformist and the flying Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained Right You Are.

Ben Allen rides ultra-consistent So You Think six-year-old Right You Are from barrier eight on the weekend where the horse is out to extend a phenomenal five-straight winning streak.

He boasts some good form at both the track and distance ahead of his notable rise to Group 1 company on the back of a 1.25 length win in the Australian Cup Prelude (2000m) here on March 11 with two kilos less on his back.

Maher & Eustace saddle-up three horses in total in Saturday’s Melbourne feature with Right You Are joined by last start Group 2 Peter Young Stakes winning Frankle mare Steinem ($11) and Smokin’ Romans ($23).

The last of the single-figure fancies looking good value to break a two-year winning drought is the Annable Neasham-trained Mo’unga ($8).

The former Rosehill Guineas winner has not been first past the post since beating Verry Elleegant home in the Group 1 Winx Stakes at Randwick in August of 2021.

He is now out to improve on his subsequent string of impressive but frustrating minor placings this weekend racing fit fourth-up off three Sydney lead-ups.

His latest was just last weekend behind runaway international Dubai Honour in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) when crossing a well-beaten third, an effort he can improve on here heading south.

Mo’unga was good at Flemington during last year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival when runner-up to Zaaki in the Group 1 VRC Champions Stakes (2000m), and is out to frank that form on the weekend back at headquarters.

The Australian Cup 2023 is set to run as Flemington Race 7 at 4:20pm (AEDT) with full markets from Ladbrokes.com.au available by clicking here.

2023 Australian Cup Final Field & Barrier Draw

Table Credit: Racing Australia.