The overhauled Kingsford-Smith Cup 2017 kicks off Group 1 racing at Eagle Farm this winter, betting tips and the latest odds on the weekend’s Brisbane major detailed below.

Jungle Edge is the Races.com.au tip to win the 2017 Kingsford-Smith Cup this weekend at Eagle Farm. Photo: Steve Hart.

A dozen sprinters remain in the mix for the old BTC Cup with Black Heart Bart all the rage in markets on Saturday’s $700,000 Group 1 Darley Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m).

Darren Weir’s five-time Group 1 winner is the class horse in the weight-for-age clash and ran second in the Stradbroke Handicap over 1400m at the Eagle Farm track last season.

Sitting top of the Kingsford-Smith Cup odds at Ladbrokes.com.au paying $3.30, Black Heart Bart has the blinkers on after he ran a disappointing seventh last weekend in Adelaide when unsuccessfully defending his title in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m).

The early Kingsford-Smith Cup betting market mover backed in from $7 to $5.50 is three-year-old Derryn prepared by David & Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig.

The Hinchinbrook colt comes off a brave third to Redzel in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m), which could be the form race to follow into Saturday.

Also being kept safe in the markets are Chris Waller’s Doomben 10,000 runner-up Counterattack ($7) and the Kris Lees-trained Clearly Innocent ($6.50) who is undefeated over the distance.

Earlier in the week we published a comprehensive 2017 Kingsford-Smith Cup Form Guide and below are our insider tips on the horse to back and sack at Ladbrokes.com.au this weekend.

1^st

#8 Jungle Edge ($10)

Think there’s value galore to be had in the revamped Group 1 that is likely to be contested on a Heavy-rated Eagle Farm track. The muddy conditions will be key to this race and the proven mudlark in the mix is this Mick Bell-trained six-year-old. He’s been on fire all season starting with the Group 1 The Galaxy third. He was in front and only defeated in the dying stages. Two Group 3 wins and an All Aged Stakes third have followed and the form around him is solid. Won last Saturday’s BRC Sprint on a Heavy (8) by over two lengths at Doomben over the 1350m. Right distance, Eagle Farm is roomier and he only needs to get into the right position early from the wide alley to hold these off at a nice price.

2^nd

#7 Start Wondering ($26)

The odds on this Kiwi raider are way overs and he’s the definite roughie with genuine claims at a huge boilover. He’s been forgotten by the bookies and the punters after the Doomben 10,000 sixth a fortnight back. Was under four lengths beaten and will be better suited to the 1300m this weekend (4-2-0-0). Is a multiple Group 1 winner back across the Tasman since joining the stables of Evan & Jennifer Rayner and will be fitter for his first-up run. Handles wet tracks and is the improver at value.

3^rd

#10 Hopfgarten ($21)

Local horseman Robert Heathcote scratched his Eagle Farm specialist (16-5-4-2) from last weekend in favour of the Group 1 here and that’s a positive sign. Last start produced the nice first-up second to Music Magnate in the Victory Stakes (1200m) and he will relish Saturday’s distance (6-3-0-1). Perfect conditions with the give right out of the ground and is another over-the-odds runner to get behind.

Whether you’re backing or sacking our exclusive Kingsford-Smith Cup 2017 tips make sure you’ve got access to the winter’s best racing odds and offers online at Ladbrokes.com.au.